April May June 2010
VOLUME 11, ISSUE 2

---

A R T I C L E S

DALE RATZLAFF

 

Theology is said to be the study of God. It is a life course from which we never graduate. While we study, however, there is value in reviewing what we can know from what God has revealed.

In this study, we will focus on the longest sentence in the Bible: Ephesians 1:3-14. Paul, in an intense moment of contemplation of God's work for our salvation, pours forth a profound introduction of our Father's love. I pray He will reveal Himself as we study.

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Eph 1:3).

First we are to understand it was the Father's love that prompted the blessings brought through Christ. Some say that the Father was out to destroy us but for the intercession of Christ. Yet here it is stated clearly that it was the Father who blessed us. Note that "has blessed" is rooted in a past event but the blessing continues. How big is the blessing? "…has blessed us with every spiritual blessing." How does one grasp the extent of "every spiritual blessing"? We read on, "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." Characteristic of the Trinity, when one member works, they all are involved. The Father blesses us with every spiritual (think Holy Spirit) blessing in Christ. These multitudinous blessings are said to be "in the heavenly places". Actually, the original states "in the heavenlies." What does this mean? These spiritual blessings are "In Christ", and they are where He is. They are blessings in the spiritual realm where we are "seated with Christ". They are present realities seen through the eye of faith and experienced in the spirit.

 

"just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him (Eph 1:4).

Paul will now enumerate some of the spiritual blessings that come to us through the Father's love. The Father chose us in union with Christ before the foundation of the world. Just when and upon what basis did the Father choose us? Here we again peer into a mystery. First we note that that Father chose us in union with Christ. Some take this to mean that we, individually, were elected to eternal salvation before the foundation of the world while others were elected to damnation. Others, however, believe that the Father before time chose all those who would believe in Christ. Either way, the goal of election is clear: that we would be holy and blameless in the Father's sight. As we proclaim the riches of God's infinite grace and mercy and trumpet the good news that "this man receives sinners," let us never pull down the goal of salvation: that we would be holy and blameless. Note, however, the phrase does not stop there. We are holy and blameless "in the Father's sight." Does this mean the Father "sees us in union with Christ" and therefore sees us in Christ's righteousness? Yes. Does this mean that someday we will actually be holy and blameless? I believe it does; however, that day will not fully come until this mortal puts on immortality.

 

In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will (Eph 1:4-5).

There are many reasons people adopt children today—yet here we see only one: unmerited agape love. Those of us who may have come from a performance background need to stop and contemplate this verse and let its message sink deep into our spirits. There is nothing mentioned here about trying to be good enough to pass the future judgment, trying to be overcomers, or seeking in many small or large ways to be accepted by God. No, nothing is stated about us, what we have, or what we will do. It all springs from the Father's love through Jesus Christ.

Adoption is a term that adds warmth to the Father's love. Picture a crackling fire on Christmas Eve and the smell of cinnamon, apples, and spice. Observe the bright eyes of expectant children who know good gifts are ready and waiting to be unwrapped at the father's word! We are no longer strangers, excluded from the family of God; now, in Christ, we are sons—yes, more than sons—we are chosen, adopted, sons and daughters of the Father with full rights of inheritance. We are heirs not because we were good, beautiful, smart, or obedient, but always and only "according to the kind intention of His will."

 

"to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Eph 1:6).

Paul, even with his studied use of language, seems unable to put into words the abounding grace of Father God "which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." From his Pharisaic background of legalism, he emphasizes over and over again the gift of salvation: grace (unmerited favor) "freely bestowed" (an unearned gift, given with no strings attached). All these blessings from the Father are bestowed on us in union with Christ.

 

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us (Eph 1:7,8).

Drilling deeper into the meaning of the Father's grace, Paul enumerates several key concepts. Too often we read over the term "redemption" without understanding its full meaning. The Greek word translated "redemption" means a paying of a ransom to release someone from bondage. We think of the Somali pirates who have recently been commandeering ships and then holding the ships and the crews for ransom, often collecting millions of dollars. In Romans 7:4 the Apostle states that we were "sold into bondage to sin." We also think of times the child of a wealthy family has been kidnapped, and because of the great love for the child, the wealthy father, willing to do anything to get his beloved child back, pays the asking price. But notice the difference here. Let what follows sink deep into your mind, soul and spirit. Our Father gave His only Son—yes—His beloved Son, to die for us. We—sinners by birth, action, neglect, thought, and lack of faith—are the treasure kidnapped by sin that the Father desperately seeks! We are the beloved children! For the Father so loved the world (think us) that He gave His only begotten Son (price paid for us) that whosoever (think all sinners) believes may have everlasting life.

Sometimes in real life the kidnapper harms, even kills, the beloved child. It was, so to speak, a bloody crime scene there at the cross when the price for sin was paid. Today, in our sanitary society, blood ransom is shunned, sometimes taken out of hymnals, sermons and theology. Yet it is clear that we have "redemption through Christ's blood." Remember, too, that Christ is God, and the Godhead is not only gracious, but also holy and just. Paul cannot stop adding words to widen the horizon of grace. "…which He lavished on us". The Greek word translated "lavished" in the NASB is "abound". It carries the idea of being not only enough, but there is abundance left over. Just as a huge Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings not only satisfies our hunger, there is enough for us to stuff ourselves—and then come pie and ice cream! Even after that, when the guests have moved their chairs back from the table, there is still an abundance left over for future needs—even enough for the dogs!

 

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 upon the earth (Eph 1:8-10).

This is a complex series of statements and can only be understood in the larger context of this book and the rest of Paul's letters. Later on Paul makes it clear that the mystery he speaks of is that "the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel," (Eph 3:6 ).

This is an outgrowth of Paul's adoption metaphor and is stated clearly in Galatians 3:14:

"In order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

No longer are the Jews to be pitted against the Gentiles. Now, in Christ, we are one body, saved by one gospel, with the barriers of culture and ritual laws of food, circumcision, and Sabbath broken down.

All things are summed up in Christ. He is the expression of the Father's love and grace. In him we have our access to the Holy Father who loved us before the Christ event, before the blood of the cross. Now, however, after the cross, we are reconciled, adopted and clothed with Christ's righteousness, and this new position has opened up a new relationship. Through the Spirit we now have restored fellowship with the Father and the Son.

 

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory (Eph 1:10-12).

The Greek "have obtained" and "having been predestined" are aorist passive indicating past action done to or for us by another! These verses underline again that the inheritance itself and the means of our inheritance are both received by us without our involvement. This was done for us by the will of the Father. Believers, says Paul, are set forth as "praise to His glory.

 

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation— having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory (Eph 1:12-14).

Now, for the first time in this symphony of praise, Paul mentions human involvement. Note that there is no merit here but there is human cooperation. What did the Ephesians to whom Paul was writing do? They listened to the message of truth, the gospel of their salvation. Then, after listening, they believed. As soon as they believed, they were "sealed in Christ, with the Holy Spirit of promise"! Our acceptance of the gospel brings praise to the Father! Paul is not content to state the simplicity of saving faith just once. He repeats it again. In essence he says, "you listened to the proclamation of the Gospel; you responded in faith by believing; this resulted in your being sealed with the Holy Spirit—which, in turn, is your pledge or guarantee of your future inheritance and redemption. And all this is to the praise of the Father's glory.

The apostle John put it this way: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (Jn 3:16) Belief is simply the empty hand accepting the riches of God's grace. It is a simple act, but a necessary one. Throughout the New Testament, belief (think faith and trust) in Christ is set forth as the ONLY way of salvation.

It is my prayer that we each grasp the riches of the Father's love and grace that He has lavished on us in union with Christ; that we listen to the gospel of our salvation and trust our lives to that gospel so that we can be sealed by the Holy Spirit, assuring our adoption into the heavenly family, fully qualified sons and daughters of God. †

 

 

---

HOME / PROCLAMATION! MAGAZINE / 2010 / APRIL MAY JUNE / THE LOVE OF OUR FATHER REVEALED