Ephesians 1:5-8: In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Last week we examined Ephesians 1:4, and we saw that God chose us. Before the creation of the world he chose you. Also, we examined the truth that God has called us to be holy and blameless in his sight. We are to be holy, because God is holy. The fullness of the blessing of God is found as we walk in the beauty of God's holiness.
Verse 5 extols the truth that God, in his love, predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ. Even though we are separated from God by sin, God made a way for each of us to be adopted into his family.
God reveals through our text, that our adoption as his sons is in accordance to God's pleasure and will. And it is to the praise of his glorious grace, that he has freely given us through Jesus Christ.
God's intention has always been for us to be a part of his family. This adoption is according to his pleasure and will. Note the generosity of God. He has freely given us his glorious grace through Jesus Christ.
How did God accomplish this adoption? How did he make the way for us to be adopted as his sons?
Look at Ephesians 1:7-8: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
God possessed only one avenue of recourse in dealing with sinful man. In order for us to fellowship with a holy God, a God without blemish or sin, it was necessary for God to provide a sacrifice for sin. And the only worthy sacrifice was Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God.
God loved sinful man so much, that before the creation of the world, he provided redemption for us. He knew we would falter. He knew we would fall short of the mark. Jesus is the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world.
He lavished on us the riches of his grace, namely, his only Son. God is a rich, generous God. Notice what is said about our God, by Paul in Romans 8:32: He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate gift. If the Father would dare to give us his only Son, how much more does he wish to lavish on us all the riches of his grace. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalm 84:11)
The blood of Jesus was shed, so that we might have redemption. So that our sins would be forgiven, so that we could stand before the Father without spot or wrinkle through the blood of Jesus.
Notice that God lavished the riches of his grace upon us in all wisdom and understanding. Through his grace he gives us wisdom and understanding, so that we can appreciate the gift of his grace. He gives us the grace to know the many facets of his gift. He give us the wisdom to understand his grace and redemption, so that we might share this good news of his redemption with others.
Notice these Scripture verses about his wisdom:
Colossians 2:2-3: My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossian 1:9: For this reason, since the day we heard aobut you, we have not stopped praying for you, and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
I Corinthians 2:16: "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
God has lavished the riches of his grace upon us. The primary gift will always be the blood of his Son upon the cross of Calvary, so that we might be delivered from the power of sin, and delivered unto the kingdom of God. But an important facet of the riches of his grace, is that we might know the mind of the Lord. That we might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. That we might know the mystery of redemption. In Jesus are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. When you have Jesus, you have the key to all wisdom and knowledge.
Ideas produce money. To whom does God want to give the good ideas? He wants to give godly ideas to his adopted family. Believers in Jesus should be the primary source of inventions that better life. The truly great music should be written by the church. The greatest books should be penned by believers. The great problem solvers of our age should be those filled with God's wisdom and knowledge.
Do you ever have a problem that is difficult to solve? His wisdom and knowledge are available to you. He is the answer to all problems.
Soon we will celebrate the birth of Jesus. Give thanks for the sacrifice of his blood given for your redemption. But also purpose to learn more of his wisdom and knowledge.
Let the first six verses of Proverbs 2 be your action plan for the new year.
My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Become a reservoir of his knowledge and wisdom in Jesus Christ. Then allow his wisdom and knowledge to flow out to minister to those around you.
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org