Wisdom From the Word

August 3, 2005


Ephesians 5:15-20: Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I want to focus again on the last verse in this passage, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here again is my list of 25 Biblical truths for which we can thank God. This week I want to make brief comments about more of these truths, and I will complete my comments next week.

  1. He chose us.
  2. He blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
  3. He predestined us to be adopted as sons.
  4. He redeemed us through his blood.
  5. He forgave our sins.
  6. He lavishes the riches of his grace on us.
  7. He marked us with the seal of the Holy Spirit.
  8. He seated us with Christ in heavenly places.
  9. He is preparing a place for our eternal future.
  10. He made us his workmanship to do good works.
  11. He is our peace.
  12. He is our righteousness.
  13. He is our provider.
  14. He is our shepherd.
  15. He is the author and finisher of our faith.
  16. He placed us in a great body of believers in which he dwells.
  17. He shares with us the treasures of his wisdom and knowledge.
  18. He gave ministry gifts to perfect us in him.
  19. He provided total victory.
  20. He provided our healing.
  21. He freed us from condemnation.
  22. He gives us all things.
  23. He never leaves us or forsakes us.
  24. He is our perpetual hope.
  25. He chose to live in us.
9. He is preparing a place for our eternal future. In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7 NIV)

Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you, I am going there to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2-3 NIV)

God has granted to the church eternal life. For you that life began the moment you were born again. Yet, the day will come when you lay down this body of flesh, and put on a glorified body to move fully into the presence of God.

God's Word gives some glimpes into the glory and the joy of the fullness of our future. Paul shares a glimpse into that future in Ephesians 2:7. In the ages to come, God wants to show to his church, the incomparable riches of his grace. What does that mean? I know that it means our days of boredom and frustration will be over. The endless ages of eternity will be joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Paul said, For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21 NIV) Then he added later, I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (Philipppians 1:23b-24 NIV)

When your work on earth is done, don't fear or fight death. Release yourself into the hands of God. To be with Christ is better by far.

However, premature death is an enemy. We should determine to fulfill our purpose on this earth before we depart. Then it can be said of us, as it was said of King David, For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. (Acts 13:36 NIV)

I thank God for the glorious place and future he is preparing for me.

10. He made us his workmanship to do good works. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)

Last week I thanked God that he chose me. Not only did he choose us, but he chose to use us to advance his kingdom on the earth. Paul said in II Corinthians 5, that we are ministers of reconciliation and ambassadors for Christ. God chose to use the church to preach the gospel, and to minister his life to others. God trusts you and me to do his work on the earth.

I thank God that he chose to do good works through me.

11. He is our peace. For he himself is our peace. (Ephesians 2:14 NIV)

In a world that is anxious, bewildered, and fearful, Jesus is our peace. In the midst of a raging storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus slept in perfect peace. He makes that same peace available to the church.

Paul gives wise counsel in Philippians 4:6-7. Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel. (Contemporary English Version)

I thank God that he is my peace that controls the way I think and feel.

12. He is our righteousness. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (II Corinthians 5:21 NIV)

Righteousness is a big word that simply means that we are in right standing before the throne of God. In our sin we cannot approach the throne of God, but through the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus chose to share his righteousness with us. Now, we stand before the throne of God clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Now, we can boldly approach the throne of grace, to receive mercy and grace. (See Hebrews 4:16)

I thank God for the gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ.

13. He is our provider. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 NIV) Enough said!!

I thank God for his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

14. He is our shepherd. Psalm 23 is the classic passage regarding God as our shepherd.

Jesus said, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep....I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me. (John 10:11,14 NIV)

I am thankful for Jesus, the good shepherd, who loves me and meets my every need.

15. He is the author and finisher of our faith. (See Hebrews 12:2)

Without faith it is impossible to please God. But, God has given to every believer a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3) Also, he gave the believer the means to grow in faith. (Romans 10:17)

Every believer is responsible to walk by faith and to operate in the spirit of faith. Paul defined the spirit of faith in II Corinthians 4:13. It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With the same spirit of faith we also believe and speak. We must believe the Word of God, and order our words to be in harmony with the Word of God.

I am thankful that Jesus committed himself to bring my faith to completion. I am thankful that Jesus is the author and finisher of my faith.

16. He placed us in a great body of believers in which he dwells. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:21-22 NIV)

Every person searches for significance. In God there is great significance. God made us part of the body of Christ, and he chose to dwell in us.

I attended a large gathering of Christians in New Orleans in the late 1980's. As a pastor of a small church in Mississippi, I felt insignificant compared to many successful ministers who attended the meetings. However, my perspective began to change. By the end of the meetings, I was so grateful to have a place in the great things that God is doing in the earth.

I am thankful today to be a member of the body of Christ, and I am thankful that God Almighty dwells with us.

More next week..




Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org
Wisdom From the Word
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