“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.”
—Ephesians 1:9

WHAT THE Apostle Paul is saying in our text is that we understand and believe the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven only because God in His good pleasure has chosen us unto salvation and has made known to us something that is a mystery to the unbelieving world. In other words, the term mystery in our text means that the great truth concerning God’s will and purpose of salvation can only be received and believed when God makes it known and reveals it. The Apostle Paul says that this is exactly what God has done when he wrote, “…which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will.” 

WHY DOES God reveal the mystery of His will to some and conceal it from others? Paul says in our text that just as it’s God’s good pleasure to reveal His will to some, in the same way it’s His good pleasure to conceal it from others. And so many professing Christians have problems with this teaching because so many today are more concerned with the glory of man rather than the glory of God. But the truth of the matter is that God’s good pleasure is something He purposed in Himself for His honor, glory, and praise. 

JESUS PRAISED the Father for concealing the mystery of His will from some and revealing it unto others. Matthew 11:25-26, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them unto babes. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” God hides the truth of the Gospel from the worldly wise and it remains a mystery to them, and they consider it foolishness. 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” But Jesus said that the good pleasure of God is to reveal the Gospel unto babes that they may enjoy it.

WHEN YOU realize that your salvation is not according to what you have done or who you are but is something God purposed in Himself according to what pleased Him, you humble yourself before Him and praise God as the One who is sovereign over the salvation of sinners. If you’re trusting in Christ, it is not according to your will, your running, or your doing, but according to God’s will and good pleasure which He purposed in Himself. 

DOES IT humble you to know that your salvation in Christ was not according to your will but according to the good pleasure of God’s will which He purposed in Himself? It should! How then should we respond to the wondrous grace of God in revealing to us miserable sinners the glorious mystery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? 1. Humiliation 2. Adoration & Praise 3. Confession & Repentance 4. Obedience. If we do these things, then we will be demonstrating a humble heart towards God for His glorious grace given to us unworthy sinners! May God’s name ever be praised! Amen!

Tuesday Encouragement: April 2, 2024
In Christ
Pastor S. Henry