Ephesians: Lesson 2 - Day 3

Before we leave this lesson, read again Ephesians 1: 3 - 14. This time read it out loud so that you can hear with your ears as well as your mind what Paul says. In the Greek manuscripts, these verses comprise one continual sentence. None of our English translations reflect that because it would be so hard to read! It is as if Paul gets started and just can't stop. It is all too glorious ... these verses are truly one of the great "doxologies" of all time.

A doxology is an expression of praise to God. Probably the doxology that is most familiar to many of us is the one written in 1709 by Thomas Ken. Know it?

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

Paul's doxology also praises God, from whom all blessings flow, who has given all spiritual blessings in the heavenly realms. This reference to "heavenly realms" does not refer only to heaven, or the eternal hereafter. Paul uses it in the sense of the sphere beyond the material world. He is making the point that the blessings are spiritual and not material. They are eternal and not temporal. This phrase, "heavenly realms", occurs 5 times in Ephesians but in none of Paul's other writings. However, the concept is definitely in his other writings. Considers these:

So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3: 1 - 4 NIV)

Ephesians 1: 3 - 14 is really about God's valuing us.

It is breath taking to consider ... God has ...

blessed us

chose us from eternity

graced us

sent Christ for us

revealed His will to us

will sum up all things in Christ in whom we live

gave us His spirit as a guarantee

will redeem us as His own people

My question is a reverberating WHY? Why in the world would a holy, righteous, omniscient God do that for the likes of us? He tells us why through Paul in these verses ... it is to the praise of His glory.

There is only one possible response ... and that is worship and thanks to the God who values you and me that much - the God who has acted so recklessly and lavishly on our behalf.

And so we worship ...