Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Creation Praising the Glory of God
Ephesians 1:3-12
 V.3: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ”
The verses for today’s devotion, which is the opening verses of letter to the Ephesians where Paul describes the magnificent thing God the Father has done in Christ for us. God’s plan is simple, to unite everything in heaven and earth in Christ. The whole purpose of creation is the glory and praise of God that is what we are predestined for. Creation is indebted to the creator. God the creator rejoices when the creation is in harmony with the will of the creator. This is “the” gospel of God. The three succinct attributes of God expressed in this passage are grace, gospel, and glory.

The Grace of the God is “the reason” for existence. Everything is by the grace of God, in accordance with the gospel of God and ultimately for the glory of God. When we study this passage, very soon we start realizing the magnitude of blessings befitting the heavenly realm in our lives. One such overlooked heavenly blessing is the ability to breathe aided by nothing. We, who have read about, seen, or experienced Covid-19, can very well relate the significance of the ability to breathe aided by nothing. Why are we being blessed in such a heavenly measure? We are chosen in God's grace and sanctified in His will- even before creation of this world- to be holy and blameless in his sight. This is the predisposition, what we are meant for. The Grace of God is the reason why we are, where we are, and what we are at any given point in time. Whatever our circumstances are, we can find innumerable blessings. We may question, why is all this grace showered upon us? It is the richness of God and our understanding shall be "to the praise of his glorious grace" (v6).

The Gospel of God is the basis of heaven and earth. What is the gospel of God? The gospel of God is simple, He and us living in harmony. This can only be possible when we as the creation realize our place in the order of creation and fulfill our duty, which is nothing but contributing towards the harmony God Almighty expects through our being, thoughts, words, and deeds. Along the way we humans faltered, causing deep pain and distress to the Creator. Here starts the next chapter of God's gospel, redemption of his creation. None other than His son is deputed to accomplish this and the price He decided was the son of His blood. Why would any loving father pay this self-piercing price? The reason is, we too were predestined and adopted as sons and daughters even before our birth. The redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ is the restoration from our fallen state to the divine order expected in creation. Why forgiveness of sins and redemption through the Son of God's blood? Paul teaches, "in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory." (v12). Heavenly mysteries were revealed abundantly during Jesus's earthly life among us, wisdom was imparted, and understanding was given with tremendous opportunity to reconcile. Redemption was lavished upon us for the reconciliation, so we too have an opportunity to praise God.

Glory of God is the purpose. We are part and parcel of God’s glory. We the finite come to being by absorbing from the infinite. We are counted, included, and valued. Our unity with the creator, and our salvation was the mission of Jesus. What is the significance of this mission? It is to worship the one who is worthy of honor and glory. Every mission shall lead to worship. The mission of the Church is the extension of Jesus’s mission with both centrifugal and centripetal dimension. Jesus’ mission was to reach out, facilitate reconciliation and enable worship to give God the glory he deserves. Mission for each and every one of us shall be the same; it shall culminate in giving glory to God and worshipping Him.
PRAYER
Heavenly father, give us the wisdom to understand your heavenly blessings which we are at times taking for granted. Use us for your mission, and through your grace cleanse us to worship you joyously. Amen.
 
Thought for the day
“Mission is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exist because worship doesn't.” John Piper 
 

Monish K John
Chicago MTC.

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