“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.”
—Ephesians 1:9
One concern of the Apostle Paul in writing to the Ephesians is that the people of God would recognize the wondrous and glorious work of God in the person of Jesus Christ on their behalf. Paul wants every believer to understand the spiritual riches they have received “in Christ” and that we are called to live the Christian life out of these riches. He wants us to realize who we are and what we possess as believers, which will motivate us to live Christ-centered lives.
But many who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ lack the knowledge of who and what they are as believers, how they came to be a believer, and for what purpose God has saved them by His Son. But it’s not because this knowledge is not available. Rather, it’s because so many Christians fail to diligently search the Scriptures as they ought. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 2:4-5, “If you seek her [wisdom] as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” We get involved in so many other things that they end up pushing aside our daily time in the Scriptures. How much time did you spend searching the Scriptures this week in order that you might grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ? What has the Holy Spirit recently taught you from the Word of God or do you say as so many, “I didn’t have time to read the Bible”? Notice the psalmist’s desire for the Word, “My eyes fail from searching Your word, Saying, “When will You comfort me?” (Psalm 119:82).
Our greatest struggles in life happen because we don’t know the Word of God as we ought, and when we face some difficulty we don’t know how to respond biblically so we end up going through this cycle: we sin, we are convicted by Holy Spirit, we grieve, we ask God’s forgiveness, we turn from the sin only to start the same vicious cycle over again like clothes spinning in a washing machine. Why? Because we lack understanding of the abundant riches that belong to us in Christ. And when we lack understanding of these abundant riches then we are unable to apply them in our lives. “Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).
We read in our text, “…having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.” The Apostle Paul tells us that God has purposed in Himself before the foundation of the world this great plan of redemption. It’s something that has its origin entirely in God’s mind. And what He purposed is His good pleasure toward His elect in Christ. Scripture tells us that it was God’s good pleasure to give “His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).
And God not only purposed and planned the salvation of “a multitude that no one can number” (Rev. 7:9), but He also revealed this plan of salvation to His people in His Word. It was a mystery that He has now made known. As our text says, “…having made known to us the mystery of His will.” This is why it’s important to understand the riches that God has granted to every believer in Christ. God not only revealed His plan of salvation to us, but by His grace He has given us wisdom and understanding to apprehend, believe, and apply the mystery of His will in our daily living. And so, it is imperative that the Word of God dwells in us richly so that “we might understand the things freely given to us by God” (1 Cor. 2:12).
Friday Devotional: March 22, 2024
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry