fencepostdigest

“Now when Mary came to the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the people who had come with her weeping, he was intensely moved in spirit and greatly distressed. 34 He asked, “Where have you laid him?” They replied, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept.” John 11:32-35 NET2.

The entirety of John chapter 11 addresses the death of Lazarus and the effects of Jesus’ miraculous raising of this dead man to life. Martha and her family were extremely distraught because she knew that if Jesus had been present Lazarus would not have died. They watched their brother succumb to a deadly illness of some sort. And when Jesus personally saw their intense emotional suffering, He wept.

Everyone will or has witnessed the body of a dead person and there are some who have held the hand of a dying loved one or friend, and this is not pleasant. To view a dead body in a casket is not a favorite thing for anyone to endure, but to see a person who has just died lying in a bed or in another kind of situation is unsettling to say the least.

Jesus Wept and Demonstrates His Glory

Personally, I have held the hand of, perhaps, 2 individuals and have heard the stories of others who have done the same. Each story is the same as there is a sense of helplessness involved. As a pastor, I have had the task on many occasions to help families put their loved ones into a grave and there is nothing more final in life than this. This is a cold and heart-breaking experience for there is nothing more terminal than the grave. Weeping is what we do. We weep for ourselves mostly and grieving will come…the final separation. Jesus wept, too, and in this, we discover His humanity.

But, “Why did Jesus weep?” Many have speculated about this most human moment in Jesus’ life on this earth, but I really think this clearly demonstrated just how ‘human’ really was. “Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory—the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.” John 1:14.

There are 2 very important facts to take from John 1:14: 1. “He took up residence among us.” 2. “We saw His glory.” This ‘God-man’ lived among us humans, His creation, and we were able to witness His glory. And in the moments following the death of Lazarus, we see both His humanity and His glory. He weeps for his grieving friends and demonstrates His glory, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believe, you would see the glory of God?”  So they took away the stone. Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you that you have listened to me. I knew that you always listen to me, but I said this for the sake of the crowd standing around here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, he shouted in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The one who had died came out, his feet and hands tied up with strips of cloth, and a cloth wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him go.” John 11:40-44.

No doubt, Jesus wanted His friends to personally view the demonstration of God’s glory up close. Jesus grieved with his friends, but only for a moment because He understood that they would need to see His glory demonstrated in the coming months. They did not know this and they certainly would not understand as He began to clearly message the fact of the Crucifixion to come. Death was coming, but for another purpose.

The Door to Abundant Life

The news of what Jesus had done spread rapidly among the Jewish community and fear gripped the hearts of the Pharisees, “Then one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is more to your advantage to have one man die for the people than for the whole nation to perish.” (Now he did not say this on his own, but because he was high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the Jewish nation, and not for the Jewish nation only, but to gather together into one the children of God who are scattered.) So from that day they planned together to kill him.” John 11:49-53. This Caiphas was a very, very wise person, and no doubt was anointed by God for he seems to have understood who this Christ was…He was the Messiah.

The death that was to come for all of humanity was their enslavement to sin, at least the possibility of freedom from the consequences of it. Just as Jesus said, “So Jesus said again, “I tell you the solemn truth, I am the door for the sheep.  All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.” John 10:7-10. Not only is Jesus the door of escape for the sheep, but He has also come to provide the gift of abundant life. Could it have been that Jesus wept because He knew that not everyone understood? Could have been.

Jesus’ Life on Earth Changes Direction

Demonstrating publicly that He could return life to a dead person now changes the direction of what Jesus was doing. No longer could He be a person with the freedom to walk about without intrusion. Jesus’ life on earth would end in about 2 weeks or so after He touched the future of His friends. The Jewish community now sought to kill Him.

“Thus Jesus no longer went around publicly among the Judeans, but went away from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples. Now the Jewish Feast of Passover was near, and many people went up to Jerusalem from the rural areas before the Passover to cleanse themselves ritually. Thus they were looking for Jesus, and saying to one another as they stood in the temple courts, “What do you think? That he won’t come to the feast?” (Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where Jesus was should report it, so that they could arrest him.)” John 11:54-57.

The Jewish Passover festival was soon approaching and in John 12 we are able to read about what we know as “The Triumphal Entry” of Jesus into Jerusalem; one week before He was to die. Certainly, we see the glory of God in Jesus realized for the entire world to know. Now it is our time to weep.

Death is always up close and personal, but there is nothing more final than personal death for everyone is a candidate for that finality. There is an end. But our ending on this earth has an eternity coming, too. One is eternal life in Hell or eternal life in Heaven, and each of us will have that opportunity to choose before this physical death comes. What will you do? How will you choose? Will Jesus weep or rejoice over your choice?

Jesus is Lord.

Scripture references are taken from the NASB unless otherwise noted.

Paul begins a prayer for the Believers in Ephesus with three words, “For this reason.” What is the reason? I am certain that everyone could pick out what the reason for this prayer is, but this prayer connects the previous verses which mention the ‘mystery’ with the coming message concerning the calling of God upon His people. God gave reason for this prayer, “To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 3:8-10

The Reason for Paul’s Prayer

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21.

The example of prayer is oftentimes spoken to here, that is to pray upon the knees, but we can also note that others in Scripture prayed standing up with extended arms, faces looking into the heavens or even falling prostrate before God. However, in the NT the most often seen posture is on bent knees.

What does the Apostle mean when he uses the phrase “every family in heaven and on earth?” Contextually, this family is that unique Family of God, the Redeemed for in v. 16 Paul writes, “that He (God) would grant you,” which gives an indication that the family is the Chosen Race, the Redeemed. We who are of the Body of Christ understand THAT name comes from being the Bride of Christ.

We Pray Because We Belong to God

Every person is multi-faceted for we are both a body and a soul. The physical part of us gives us identification to the world in which we live. However, the inward man is that which allows us identification with God and eternity or not. This physical body is not the “image of God” which is noted in Genesis 1:26a, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness,” but, “Why?” There is not enough room here in purpose or space to adequately give an answer to the ‘why,’ but here is something, God created people to reflect His image, to rule over creation, and to reproduce godly offspring in order to ultimately remove Satan and his host from the earth. Spiritually, we are in spiritual warfare, “ Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:11-12. The physical side of man is here to, “rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” And we are to produce families which will become Godly in the likeness of the Creator.

As Christ-followers We Are to Be…

Verses 16-19 contain volumes of information about who Followers of the Christ are to be, “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”

First, we are “to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,” just as Paul mentions in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” This is not an ability we have but comes through the riches of His glory.

Here is something we most likely NEVER think about for we are “strengthened through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Does this mean that BEFORE the Risen Christ is able to live in the heart of the Believer through faith that this person is strengthened by the Holy Spirit? Instantaneously, as a lost person expresses faith in the Christ, the Holy Spirit ‘cleans house’ before taking up residence. Now, THAT is something to think about, but this makes sense for a lost soul is not able to remove personal sin and guilt. Only the Risen Christ is able. Salvation by grace through faith comes into a new spirit prepared by the Holy Spirit!

Next, “and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,” verses 17-19. The house is cleaned and becomes the Temple of the Holy Spirit, “do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Only when the old man is removed can the Temple of the Holy Spirit be constructed. With redemption the love of Christ takes root and a new man is discipled. We are blessed and this is beyond our understanding and our imagination cannot comprehend what this relationship with Jesus Christ is or can be apart from His presence.

The work of the Spirit of God is beyond anything that you and I can possibly imagine or accomplish, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10. Paul ends his prayer with this statement, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” All of this is accomplished in the Believer, “according to the power that works within us.” Think about it.

Jesus is Lord.

For 5 decades I have listened and responded to many, many excuses as to why lost people remain so and continue to deny Jesus Christ and the Gospel Message. Some excuses seem to be plausible while others are simply invalid expressions of people who are on their way to Hell.

1. They refuse to hear the gospel because they cannot. There are those who claim to know Jesus Christ, are members of a local church and may want to know His truth. Their problem is two-fold. a) they are spiritually deaf and blind because they are lost. b) they must first choose to believe and receive the free gift of salvation.
2. They cannot understand the Bible. The Bible challenges their understanding of life and cannot understand the Gospel beyond, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
3. They do not know they are lost. Folks who see no need for forgiveness will not seek the One who forgives. The account of the wealthy young man confronted by Jesus after asking “What must I do?” walked away very sad because he was unable to accomplish what Jesus required of him.
4. They think the Gospel as being impossible. That fact that God would forgive sin and indwell someone is impossible to conceive. This was the issue for Nicodemus in John chapter 3.
5. They see hypocrisy in the church. This may be the only possible and plausible excuse as there are many members of the local church who are, indeed, not Believers in the Gospel Message. They believe and live the lies of Satanic deception.
6. They hear human messages more clearly. The Gospel narrative is exchanged for other human messages. Sports and entertainment are more easily heard and challenge the eternal truth of the Gospel. Powerful voices distribute their own truth which are more frequently heard.
7. They enjoy sinful lifestyles without God. Sin for lost people is enjoyable until difficulty arises. Actually, these are miserable humans because they are following paths to destruction. To be a Christian would cost them too much. Jesus spoke of the difference between Broadway and His Way.
8. They believe time is on their side. Older folks seem to be willing to talk about eternal matters while young people may not be. There must be a sense of urgency in order to consider eternal issues.

In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus tells the story of what we know of as “The Rich Man and Lazarus” which is an enlightening tale of two men who die and step into eternity. The wealthy man ends up in Hell (Hades) and the poor man ends up in the bosom of Abraham (Heaven.) Read what the rich man realizes and pleads for God’s intervention in verses 27-31, “So the rich man said, ‘Then I beg you, father—send Lazarus to my father’s house (for I have five brothers) to warn them so that they don’t come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they must respond to them.’ Then the rich man said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ He replied to him, ‘If they do not respond to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

The Logos Refutes Human Excuses

The excuses listed above are each found in the Gospel Narrative in one way or another and each is refuted by Jesus Christ. “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB.

It is understood that a lost person cannot possibly understand the consequences of living without God. But it is this vast chasm that must be crossed and cannot be achieved without the provision of the Risen Christ, “So what benefit did you then reap from those things that you are now ashamed of? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now, freed from sin and enslaved to God, you have your benefit leading to sanctification, and the end is eternal life. 23 For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 NET2.

There is an end to this physical life which is called death and the other side of this physical end is eternity. One eternity is in a Lake of Fire which introduces death with a pain that never goes away or the eternity with God in Heaven in the presence of Jesus Christ with joy, peace and happiness that does not end. “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. The one who believes in him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.” John 3:16-18 NET2.

The choices are but 2 and both are valid made by every human being who has and who will walk this earth. These choices are clear and will be made; there is only eternity with or without God.

And Jesus is Lord

Unless otherwise noted all Scripture references are taken from the NASB translation.

Catholicism is so very opposite of true Christianity. If someone simply reads a little bit concerning the Catholic Church they will find that Mary is elevated to the status of Jesus as a co-mediator between God and man. Within easy reading, one can also see that the Pope’s proclamations are sometimes elevated above the Word of God. On will also find that those people who are canonized and called ‘saints’ by the Catholic Church are called by name in Catholic prayer. None of this is to be found in the inspired Word of God. We who hold to the inerrancy of the Word of God are exhorted “Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” Hebrews 5:11-14.

I began this post with an illustration concerning the Catholic Church, but this is only a very small tip of an enormous ice-burg of deceptions which are being espoused by many very, very popular and well-known so-called ‘Christian’ authors; and there are many. The difficulty is that more than just a few are swallowing the shallow and seemingly deep inspirational tidbits being tossed about. Their books are seen in most bookstores. My hope is that we who are faithful to the Word see the proverbial handwriting on the wall.

Handwriting On a Wall

The prophet Daniel writes in Chapter 5:1-5, “1 Belshazzar the king held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he was drinking wine in the presence of the thousand. 2 When Belshazzar tasted the wine, he gave orders to bring the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. 3 Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God which was in Jerusalem; and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. 5 Suddenly the fingers of a man’s hand emerged and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing.” It is important to know that his prisoner and man of God named Daniel was summoned to interpret what was written on the palace wall because the wise men of Babylon could not. “Now this is the inscription that was written out: ‘MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.’ 26 “This is the interpretation of the message: ‘MENE’—God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. 27 ” ‘TEKEL’—you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. 28 ” ‘PERES’—your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians .” Daniel 5:24-28.

Now, I am not a prophet nor son of a prophet, but there seems to be a large audience of people who are drinking from seemingly gold and silver vessels and are becoming intoxicated with empty ‘words of wisdom’ of being tossed about. Beware for these words are not from the Word of God but are simply tidbits written from experiences of people claiming truth from God. There will come a time when God will grow weary.

Here are some important words from the pen of Isaiah which speak directly to what is found in Daniel chapter 5, “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost. “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance.” Isaiah 55:1-2 and these words are followed with this in vv. 6-7, “Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”

God’s Word Is the Answer for Daily Living

The point of both Daniel and Isaiah is that God’s Word contains instructions for daily living and not the empty words of books written by people. Most devotional books are not at issue here, but there are hundreds of what I will refer to as books of inspiration or encouragement which are replacing God’s Word for daily living for many people. Do not fall for this trap.

(Please, please open your Bible here and absorb the contexts of Daniel 5 and Isaiah 5 for what has been given here is for illustration. If you fail to read the contexts the emphasis upon the Word of God will be missed.)

The presentation of these books is high quality, enthusiastic, and it is difficult to know where the problem lies. Most of us are happy to have access to seemingly biblical material which is simply wrong. My hope is that these kinds of books will be seen for what they are so that people do not trust what is extra-biblical.

All that we need to know for daily living is found within the pages of God’s Word, “But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:13-17.

Jesus is Lord.

All Scripture references are taken from the NASB translation unless otherwise noted.

“This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.” Ephesians 3:11-13.

What the Body of Christ (the Church) must be/should be doing is to make known “the manifold wisdom of God” provided by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We must be careful not to speculate on something which is not defined as to the ‘how’ this wisdom is to be given to these heavenly beings in Heaven, but what is clearly spelled out for us is the proclamation of the Gospel Message to the Gentiles in our world. But, who are the Gentiles?

The NT is replete with references to the Gentiles and the message of the Gospel is determined for them. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:11-14, “Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,” The Apostle calls them “Gentiles in the flesh” and indicates that they were “separate from Christ,” but in Christ Jesus were “brought near by the blood of Christ.” In v. 14 Paul makes it clear that the Jews and Gentiles have been made on because of the shed blood of the Christ which “broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.” Therefore, Gentiles are those who do not know the saving grace of Jesus Christ and it is to these that we are specifically to make known the Message of the Cross; “the manifold wisdom of God.”

Not Ashamed

It was to the Church in Rome that he wrote, “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ” BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” Romans 1:14-17. Note that Paul names the Gentiles in Rome as being, “Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.” He left none to be without being the target of the Gospel message. And neither should we.

For many decades people have made excuses as to the ‘why’ they could not be involved in sharing their faith in Christ (if, indeed, they were of the faith) to lost folks. We have no excuse not to participate in the most important endeavor given to man for just as Paul writes in verse 12 of Ephesians 3, it is in Christ “whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.” Because of His grace, we are empowered to accomplish that which we cannot otherwise do. We have been given abilities to achieve the impossible for just as Paul encouraged the Church in Philippi, “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.” Philippians 4:12-14. Yes, we can do “all things through Him who strengthens me.” Stop the foolish excuses for it you and I are empowered by the blood of the Christ we ‘can do’ whatever He tells us.

Jesus remains Lord.

All Scripture references are taken from the NASB unless otherwise noted.

”I became a servant of this gospel according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the exercise of his power. 8 To me—less than the least of all the saints—this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ 9 and to enlighten everyone about God’s secret plan—the mystery that has been hidden for ages in God who has created all things. 10 The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 3:7-10.

For What Purpose

Verses 7-10 continue the thought of the unknown mystery of God through the ministry of Paul to the Church. As Paul writes this ministry comes through the Gospel “according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.” There is an obvious question, “To what purpose is a ministry given?” The Apostle continues, “to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places.”

We must be careful not to assign ideas where none is given, but this is my thought; Paul was given the ministry of proclamation of the Gospel to the Gentiles in order that some might be saved. “I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.” Within 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 The Apostle describes his position as to become all things to all men and “I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.” v. 19. He understands that not everyone will choose to become a Follower of the Christ and He message, but it is from those who choose to follow who will, along with the Apostle, proclaim the mystery now made known. These few became the Church, the Body of Christ and this is the same ministry given to Paul that we now have. We call it “The Great Commission” which comes from Matthew 28:18-20.

There are at least 5 subjects Paul addresses in Ephesians 3:7-10:

The gift of God’s grace

‘According to that gift of the grace of God which was given me.’ This means that the gift comes from the grace of God. It was given to him as the act of God’s grace, “ But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles. Galatians 1:15-16a. God’s power is described as the measure of the gift of His grace. In fact, what is a “gift” in its source, is “effectual working” in its actual nature. In this verse, we see the emphasis is God’s gift to the Apostle of preaching the mystery of the gospel. However, there is something for us now. We often overlook the gifts of the Holy Spirit found in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and also in Ephesians 4. No room here, but perhaps later.

The unfathomable riches of Christ

From the 1928 Merriam Webster Dictionary, we find, “So deep or remote that the limit or extent cannot be found. The designs of Providence are often unfathomable.” The meaning in the Greek text is that there was a “sufficiency” in Christ which could not be traced out or explored. His presence is incomprehensible. The fullness of the riches in Him cannot be appreciated by us. However, this New Testament expression concerning the Christ contains more meaning than can be written in a book. The Holy Spirit demonstrates here that, indeed, the Apostle writes by His inspiration for on He is able to tell the world that there are such riches in the Redeemer.

The proclamation of the mystery

Of course, this mystery is Christ Jesus and from 1 Timothy 3:16 we find that “By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.” This is the mystery which must be proclaimed among the nations and we must do it well.

The manifold wisdom of God

odGod’s design is to save a lost world by His grace and through faith in Jesus Christ. His wisdom is such that it cannot be defeated by the futility of man or the schemes of the Devil. There have been and continue to be diversions for defeating the Gospel Message. However, the wisdom of God always removes obstacles because He is Sovereign and His infinite grace produced in the Risen Christ overcomes evil intent at every turn.

Who are the rulers and authorities in heavenly places?

The same phrase is found in. Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” and Paul refers to evil angels in 6:12 because the power of God is against them. However, in Ephesians 3:10 Paul seems to be writing about the angels who surround the throne of God. There is much discussion among commentators about this phrase which leads me to think that no one can give a conclusive answer. However, because the context of these 10 verses seems to suggest an angelic presence surrounding the throne of God.

With these things in mind, the responsibility of the Church is to faithfully proclaim the Message of the Gospel in vast darkness and to administer the wisdom and grace of God within the Body of Christ. This is what it means to fulfill the Great Commission; to disciple the nations.

Jesus is Lord.

All Scripture references are taken from the NASB unless otherwise noted.

“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” Ephesians 3:1-6 NASB

Ephesians is one of Paul’s prison letters while in Rome, a prisoner of Caesar and waiting to be tried before Nero. In reading Paul’s letters never does he write that he is a prisoner of Caesar; but he is “a prisoner of Christ Jesus.” Paul clearly understood that Caesar did not have control of his situation; Jesus did. The duration of his confinement was not to be determined by Caesar, but by the Lord. The Apostle understood that the Lord Jesus had already decided the moment he would be set free and when the Lord Jesus spoke Caesar would release him. For this reason, he never saw himself as being a prisoner of Rome.

We Are Stewards of the Message of God’s Grace

The second statement from Paul is an important thought for each of us. He writes that God made him a steward of God’s grace which was to be shared with the folks in Ephesus. Fast forward to our day and time. Every Follower of the Christ has been given the responsibility of sharing/teaching others about the marvelous riches extended to them by the grace of God. “For by grace you have been saved…..”

The mystery which has been revealed to us in the Word of God are aspects of life that God reveals and about which men desperately need to understand concerning the concept of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul writes that this truth was from God, not of himself, that it was given to him by Christ.. Think about this for a moment, we Believers are servants of Christ and are given the responsibility of sharing the mysteries of God. Our heavy responsibility is to help folks understand the important messages from God’s Word. We, like Paul, are made stewards of the mystery of God.

The Heart of Paul’s Gospel

In v. 3 Paul places an interesting phrase, “as I wrote before in brief” which has caused some discussion among us which can be noted in commentaries. However, the Greek commentaries seem to agree that Paul is speaking of either the first 2 chapters in Ephesians or in chapter 3 verses 7 and 8 that follow which describe his view of responsibility assigned to him by God.

I think it important to note here that Paul’s apostleship is different than the experiences of the eleven who actually walked with, spoke with, ate with and were taught by the living Christ.. The Apostle writes this to the Galatians, “For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:11-12. He did not speak with the apostles for it was three years before he returned to Jerusalem after the Damascus Road. It was fourteen years later when Paul sat down with them. And, he says, they gave him nothing new. He understood everything they did and knew everything Jesus had taught them in the days of His flesh. “But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me.”Galatians 2:6. Paul is speaking of John, Cephas and the other Apostles living in Jerusalem. Why would he say something like this about these Godly men? Because the message of the Gospel is more important than the reputation of men.

Please, please do not miss the message of Jesus Christ who is the heartbeat of all things and the heart of Paul’s Gospel. None of us can help but be aware that we live in an extremely troubled time, for we do not know what to do about the problems of our day. Many are attempting to figure out where we have gone awry, and why we do not understand what to do.

The Key to the Mystery is Christ

“By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” Ephesians 3:4-6.

This mystery Paul addresses was completely unknown until God entered our environment as a man in the Person of Jesus Christ. However, it was not until He ascended into the heavens after His resurrection that His message began to be understood. Jesus said this, “He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.” All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES; I WILL UTTER THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.” Matthew 13:33-35. Amazing things this God-man did.

Now this mystery is revealed to us as Paul writes, “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.” Romans 16:25-27.

Unfolding Mystery

In Ephesians 3:4-6 we find that the Gentiles “are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” Here Paul invents new words to explain what God is giving to him. In one statement the Holy Spirit inspires Paul to write three words that are found nowhere else in the Greek New Testament. These words are;  fellow-heirs, fellow-members, and fellow-partakers. When we believe in Jesus Christ, we become fellow-heirs, fellow-members of one body, and fellow-partakers of the promise. With these expressions, we find the answers to the difficulties in which we are presently engaged. This is the unfolding mystery found in the Body of Christ.

God gives every new Believer in Jesus Christ a new creation by His gift of grace and faith and He calls it salvation. What was not given in the Old Testament is the resurrection of Jesus, and the eternal effects of it in the life of every Believer and Follower of Jesus Christ. The idea of eternal life is completely foreign to the OT. Israel died in a hope that was not explained. What the apostles were teaching was their reality of having touched, heard and walked with the Risen Christ. Today, God is creating new men and women by grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is Lord.

Unless otherwise stated all Scripture references are taken from the NASB translation.

Someone has asked, “What does it mean that the Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father, through the Son?”

Luke writes the following statement concerning a requirement for those who are Apostles found in Acts 1:21-22, “Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us—beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” Of course, this is the statement made prior to the selection of Matthias who was to replace Judas Iscariot.

The Word of Truth

Notice that the word “therefore” tells us that these words about the Holy Spirit are for the Apostles alone, and not to us Believers today. Certainly, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the life of every Believer. However, we must understand that Luke, the author of Acts, speaks only to these chosen men had were in the physical presence of Jesus.

2 Peter 1:16 gives us this truth, “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye-witnesses of His majesty.”

1 John 1:1-2 tells us more, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”

I do not believe the Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit guides Believers into truth apart from what the Word of God instructs. The fact is that no one alive today was present before the Crucifixion of Jesus. With that in mind, what Jesus says to the Twelve in John 15:26 is of utmost importance, “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,”

The Greek word for “proceeds” means “to come out of, to proceed from, depart out of, to leave from.” This word is used often in the New Testament and there is not one NT verse that says that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son. The NT tells us that the Holy Spirit only comes or proceeds from the Father.

No Condemnation for Those Who Are In Christ

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” Romans 8:1-9.

Because of this reference and others like it, some have come to believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds through the Son and through the Father in Matthew 10:20, in our relationship with the Son as noted above in Romans 8:1-9, and through the Son in Galatians 4:1-6, “Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

Because the Holy Spirit Proceeds from the Father

Because the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and is the Spirit of the Father as seen in Matthew 10:20, and Paul further writes that it is the Spirit of Christ who delivers him, “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:18-20.

We will not know the complete answer until Christ comes for His Church after the Great Tribulation. Until then

Jesus remains Lord.

Unless otherwise stated all Scriptures found here are taken from the NASB translation.

“Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord, How then can man understand his way?” Proverbs 20:24.

Acknowledging God’s Sovereignty

Wisdom always acknowledges the sovereignty of God and the fool will say there is no God; pitiful. God is omniscient; He knows all things. God also is working that all things work together for good and for His greatest glory. These are truths that are determined in God’s Word. Briefly, look at Romans 8:28-30, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” and in Romans 11:33-36, we find this, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For Who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or Who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”

Proverbs 20:24 demonstrates that our life-steps are ordained by the Lord. However, there is a ‘quirk’ here. God, in His grace, allows everyone the freedom of will to make choices, but His ultimate sovereignty over all things does come to fruition.

Our Freedom to Choose

In light of our freedom to choose and within the framework of God’s Grace, here are somethings of biblical interest.

1. We will make determining choices which may change our eternity.
2. God is working in our lives even when we make poor choices.
3. None of our choices will challenge God’s determined eternal plan for His own glory and for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

These are things that are true and will continue to be true even if we choose to think they are not. God’s will is about His personal glory and not necessarily about us. Yes, His desire is that no man be found outside the realm of eternity with Him which is His glory. However, just as we find in John chapter 3 some will choose to identify with the Christ and some will not. This is a reality.

Our Daily Step Are Ordained by God

God ordains our steps which is to say that He guides our daily pathway. For some, this is relatively easy because they understand God’s will as demonstrated in Holy Writ and submit to His authority to follow Him. For others, the process of discovering God for their lives involves their desire to follow their own sordid path instead of the light of the Gospel. However, God receives what He desires, but for some, the path chosen takes longer. Regardless of how some come to His desired ends – they will be accomplished. Unfortunately, some will end up in the Lake of Fire as seen in Revelation 20:15, “And if anyone ‘s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” But for those who make the choice of faith to believe in His only Son, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.” Revelation 2012-14.

Solomon then asks us this question, “How then can man understand his way?” We are unable to completely understand our way as we might think. Job walked with God as He considered Job to be blameless, but he suffered deeply for God’s ultimate purpose to be satisfied. The entire book of Job deals with him and his friends trying to understand God’s divine purpose. And in the end we do know that God is good, and God’s ultimate purposes is for our good and His glory. We are left with the explanation of Proverbs – how can a man understand his way?

Which is the Best Construct?

There may be another answer to the question, “How can a man understand His way?” The answer is that one can only understand by having an intimate relationship with God. Most folks live lives that are utterly worthless because of confusion. Their lives give us caution for us to learn from. Jesus provides a parable about two houses: One is constructed on a foundation of sand and the other is built upon a foundation of stone. The ends of these two constructions are futility or eternity. Which is best?

A man understands his way in relationship with God. That is the only way to do this. A man understands his way by studying and understanding the Scriptures – which reveal to us the mind and heart of God. A man understands his way by turning to God and seeking to live for His ultimate purposes and plans. Philosophers may spend a lifetime trying to grasp a life of meaning and purpose – yet – if they only use their own understanding are like the blind leading the blind. As the Word of God tells us, if a man does not see according to God’s light and revelation as given by the Holy Spirit in HIs Word, he cannot find the light of eternity. The truth is that God has been and still is working in this world to accomplish His desire to accomplish His end. Life will be so much better for us if we acknowledge and submit to Him. We must, therefore, seek to walk according to His sovereignty and eternal plans.

Jesus is Lord.

All Scripture references are taken from the NASB translation unless otherwise noted.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.” Ephesians 1:7-10.

Biblical Predestination is NOT the Doctrines of Hyper-Calvinism

The Bible clearly teaches predestination, but not the doctrines of Calvinism. Notice the phrase “In Him.” God foreknew, before the foundation of the world, that He would save people to be “in Christ” because of His sacrifice and secured by His resurrection, and through their expressed faith by His grace. Both the limit and condition of salvation were foreknown just as is found in 1 Peter 1:20-23, “For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory,  so that your faith and hope are in God. Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.” Peter also speaks in verse to what Paul writes in Romans 10;11-14 concerning how lost souls are born-again,, “For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”  How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” For those who say that God chooses those who will be saved or lost without decisions they make toward His Son is simply false. The gospel is the avenue by which God calls everyone to hear is to be taken by those already ‘in Him’ to all creation Matthew 28:18-20.

God Does NOT Predetermine Anyone to An Eternal Destination

What we do understand is that every person who has lived after the ascension of Christ is given an opportunity to repent and to be born-again. Jesus taught that people must not only be invited, but they must also accept the invitation, Matthew 22:1-14, and look at what Jesus says about those who do not accept the invitation, that is, express faith in Him, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Who are chosen? Those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Those who believe in the view of Calvin cause God to appear as a hypocrite because in that doctrine is something quite to the contrary to what Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:7-9, “But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” This is not what Calvinism teaches.

Please note that Paul writes in v. 7, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Salvation comes through the blood of Jesus by His grace which He abundantly provides for the forgiveness of sin. With that, I have one question, “Why the crucifixion, why the pain and agony the Savior endured if God decided beforehand who would be saved and who would not? “Because He is sovereign” does not provide a biblical explanation.

We Now Know the Mystery of His Will

In v. 9 we find a somewhat perplexing phrase, “He made known to us the mystery of His will,” Before the Resurrection, the Jewish leaders and people were concerned how He was going to rebuild the Temple in 3 days after it was to be destroyed even though Jesus said the Temple of which He spoke of His body. “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?  But He was speaking of the temple of His body. John 2:19-21 NASB. The real issue here is just like the Jews standing before Jesus when He spoke these words, there are untold numbers of folks who have simply dismissed Him.

A brief statement is necessary here concerning those about predestination. No one is chosen by God to go to Heaven or to condemnation as in predestination. However, He does know and did know in advance when someone will choose to follow His Son or to reject Him and those that choose to believe in him are then given the gift of eternal life. This person is clothed in Christ and the promised Holy Spirit takes up residence in the new Believer NEVER to lose the gift because the Holy Spirit seals that relationship. Now, there are those, as we read in the Word of God, who have been chosen to serve His divine purpose in view of the coming Messiah, the Savior crucified and resurrected, and as Lord.

The Pharaoh was chosen to confront Moses. David was chosen to be the King of Israel. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other OT prophets were chosen to confront Israel with their sin against God. Nebuchadnezzar was chosen to orchestrate the captivity in Babylon. Mary and Joseph were chosen to be the earthly parents of Jesus and Judas Iscariot were Chosen to betray Jesus. However, none of these compares to the doctrine of predestination.

The Church is His Chosen Vessel

Finally, the Church is chosen to proclaim the Gospel to the World in order to make disciples in Jesus’ Name. All of this is done to demonstrate “the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.” For everyone who is a born-again Believer and Follower of Jesus Christ are for the purpose of accomplishing His will in Christ Jesus, “with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.”

Jesus is Lord