Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence (Ephesians 1:8). This verse tells us two things about Gods gracious plan of redemption which He has made available to us in Christ: (1) That this plan is characterized by a staggering, almost incomprehensible, amount of grace (totally undeserved favor) toward those receive Christ as their Savior. It is grace of such a magnitude that it, if rightly comprehended, it should fill us with awe and thanksgiving (Psalm 4:4; Colossians 2:7). Tragically, most people are blinded to it by the distractions of this world (II Corinthinans 4:4) For this reason Paul spends the last half of this chapter (verses 15-22) in an impassioned prayer that God, through His Holy Spirit, would open the eyes of Christians to see and fully understand the astonishing benefits of their salvation! The word abounded, here (Greek, perissio), means to exceed, to surpass, or to go beyond the expected measure - above and beyond what one might anticipate! Several translations other say that God has lavished, superabounded, and overflowed (NAS, Aramaic,Knox) in His grace toward the believer. And, indeed, He has! Picture this! A sinful person who has rebelled against God, violated countless of His commandments and lived in many ways as an enemy of God (Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21) comes to Him pleading for mercy (Luke 18:13). By grace, thanks to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God grants him total forgiveness! He is saved from his totally deserved punishment - from Hell, itself! What grace and mercy this is! But, God goes far beyond this. He adopts him into His own family as a son, makes him a new person on the inside (II Corinthians 5:17), promises to meet all of his needs (Matthew 7:7-11; Philippians 4:19), fills Him with the very life of heaven through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; John 10:10, II Peter 1:2-8; Galatians 5:22-25), and prepares for him an everlasting life of unimaginable glory in heaven when he dies! Is that not grace above and beyond what a guilty sinner might expect! And these are only some of the riches of Gods grace which constitute the believers inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 1:11)! (2) This wonderful plan of salvation is one which God has designed and oversees using His infinite and perfect wisdom and prudence. Psalm 18:30 says: As for God, his way is perfect. The amazing divine plan by which saves us by grace, sets us free from sins and bondages (Romans 6:7ff), inwardly transforms us from glory to glory by His Spirit conforming us to the image of Christ (II Corinthians 3:18) and uses us for His glory in this earthly life exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20) is not just better than our old life, it is perfect in every detail (Romans 12:2). It is, actually, the best life possible! Can anyone say Hallelujah!
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 10:22:49 +0000
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