Why? For the Praise of His Glory!

A Verse

Ephesians 1:1-14

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, 

To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

A Comment

In sum, according to Ephesians 1:1-14, the blessings that God has blessed us with in Christ and for which we are to bless and praise him are our election, our redemption, our inheritance, and our sealing by the Holy Spirit. So, why has God done this in Christ? Why have we been chosen, redeemed, given an inheritance, and sealed by the promised Holy Spirit? To what end has God done this in Christ?

To the praise of His glory! So that when we reflect upon God’s merciful, electing, redeeming, and generous grace in Christ Jesus, we might praise Him! That we might bless Him! That we might shout for joy!

Yet, how often do we remain unmoved by the grace of God? How often do we take His mercy for granted? How often do we feel entitled to His salvation? Is God not worthy of our praise? Is He not worthy of our blessing? Yet, how many other things in this world receive our praise and blessing? How often are we so caught up in the dim glory of this world that we forget the brightness and glory of God?

Paul begins His letter to the church in Ephesus to prepare them to respond to the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The glory of the blessed God. Paul would not settle for an unenthusiastic congregation. Paul was not pleased with a people who could behold glorious realities and yet remain unchanged. Unaffected.

Before Paul ever gets to the heart of His message in Ephesians, he stresses the need for God’s people to be captivated by the glory of the grace of God in Christ that is confirmed by the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit.

God is worthy of our blessing and praise because of the blessings that He has bestowed upon us in Christ. May we reflect deeply on God’s grace and bless Him accordingly this morning!

A Prayer

O’ LORD, You are worthy! Thank You for Your mercy and grace. We bless You this morning. Grant us to live as Your people this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Blessing

Now the Father who chose you,
the Son who bought you,
and the Spirit who dwells in you,
go before you in your darkness,
stand beside you in your fears and hold you up in your sorrows until Jesus comes. Amen.

from Grace Be with You: Benedictions from Dale Ralph Davis