Manifold Wisdom

Sometimes we find that when we come to the full realization of the truths contained in a paragraph in the Scriptures, it brings such immense understanding that for a while we need time to digest it adequately. Before we look at such a portion of Scripture found in Ephesians 3, I felt some days ago saddened by the fact that many Christian programs, where prominent people are featured, do not reflect the “norm” or “core values” of what it means to come to the full stature of Christ as His Body, Wife or Church (ecclesia). The people interviewed had such dramatic encounters and function at such levels in particular ways that it becomes impossible to just preach “what is normal”.  And perhaps that is why I personally appreciate Bill Johnson for explaining normalcy, while highlighting profound truths.

So, when we look at this portion of Scripture, Paul was advocating exactly that to the Ephesians, explaining the purpose of his calling to them. And the same is now applicable to us, the process he declared to them in Ephesians 3:8b-11: “this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.”

Three aspects are of note here, but first we acknowledge that Paul is declaring the Father’s pre-ordained will and plan in the verses, which He had kept hidden until the right time, i.e., when our Lord Jesus Christ was made manifest.  Even when Jesus was alive, the true mystery of why He came was not fully disclosed. What He said was that Father God so loved the world that He gave or sent His own Son, that whosoever believes in Him might be saved, have everlasting life, and will not perish.

Paul added earlier in the letter all the while, God also had our adoption in mind, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” (Ephesians 1:5).  Part of the mystery could only come to reality when Jesus accomplished His primary goal, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8(b)). Once Christ redeemed us from the Law, we were saved by grace through faith.  How? By dying to self, to live in Him!

As Paul wrote to the Colossians, “the stewardship from God which was given to me [Paul] for you [gentiles], to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is “Christ in you, the hope of glory”.  (Colossians 1:25-27).

The eternal mystery he therefore referred to earlier is God inhabiting His people. We are the temple/temples of God, we house Almighty God eternally and we are being transformed into His image as partakers of God’s [divine] nature!

That’s already a lot to handle, and is core to God’s eternal plan. Jesus destroyed the works of the devil, He also revealed the Father and His nature and desire to the world, and Jesus won to Himself a people called out of the world to be His eternal Wife and people.

But there is just one thing more we must consider in that verse, a profound truth that made me think twice about why we are called to walk as He leads, governed and guided by our Paraclete.

Paul wrote to the Romans, “And the God of peace will shortly (tachei – imminently) crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (Romans 16:20). With all of God’s primary objectives fulfilled, He added this, “To the intent that now that the church will make known (in practical terms demonstrate) the manifold wisdom of God to the principalities and powers in heavenly [places].” (Ephesians 3:10).  We are the instruments of God, who make known and who are called in a collaborative way, to subject the enemy to His rule and wisdom, crushing them underfoot. That is profound!

Our lives must not just testify to the world, but also to the enemy that he and his entourage are a defeated foe.  These truths are core to our lives and must be part of our daily realities.

May we embrace the grace from our Father in heaven to manifest His manifold wisdom as He intended from the beginning of all time! Amen.

Our thanks to Ben for this month's Blog contribution