Tuesday: The Church ~ Revealer of God’s Wisdom
What does Paul say about God and the actions of God in Ephesians 3:7-13?
Paul again lays claim to being a “minister” through “the gift of God’s grace” (Ephesians 3:7, ESV; compare Ephesians 3:1-2). This gift, like the gospel itself, is not granted because of the worth of the recipient, but through God’s grace. Paul underlines this point by describing himself as “the very least of all the saints” (Ephesians 3:8, ESV).
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There is an interesting progression in Paul’s self-understanding that is discernible as we move through Paul’s letters in the order they were written. Early on, he lays claim to his status as a divinely appointed apostle (Galatians 1:1). Later, though, he introduces himself as “the least of the apostles” and “not worthy to be called an apostle” (1 Corinthians 15:9, NKJV). Here in Ephesians he sees himself as “the very least of all the saints” (Ephesians 3:8, ESV). Finally, he describes himself as the “chief” (NKJV) or “worst” of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15, NIV).
Perhaps this line of thinking here by Paul can help explain this famous quote by Ellen G. White: “The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature.” — Steps to Christ, p. 64.
Paul then continues. In Ephesians 3:10, he writes: “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” (NKJV). Who are the “rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” (ESV) mentioned here? How does the church announce God’s “manifold” or multifaceted wisdom to them? Though Ephesians 3:10 does not describe the nature of the powers, it seems best to take them as the evil ones described in more detail in Ephesians 6:11-12. If so, the composition of the church, unifying Jews and Gentiles as once very divided parts of humankind, becomes a ringing announcement to these demonic “rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” of God’s plan for the future, “to unite all things in him [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth” (Ephesians 1:10, ESV). They are put on notice that God’s plan is underway and their doom assured. The very nature of a unified church signals their ultimate defeat.
| If your own congregation took seriously Paul’s “job description” of the church in Ephesians 3:10, how might it change the way you and your fellow church members relate to each other? |
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Paul emphasizes the nature of grace in that it was given to him, "the least of all the saints" and in turn he had preached to the Gentiles. Whatever that grace is, one of its properties is that it is shareable. It is another reiteration of the notion in last weeks lesson about the vertical and horizontal dimensions of grace. Grace, comes from God (vertical) and is shared with our fellow man (horizontal).
When you think about it, grace should be at the base of all our actions, it works this way:
Followed by:
Grace does not work in one dimension. To be effective it has to work in every dimension.
“Whatever that grace is, one of its properties is that it is shareable.”
It is also actionable, but only in humility. When I confuse my way, my truth and my life with the standard of knowing God, he sends “messengers” to my life to reveal that this is self-centered. When these “messengers” arrive in my life, God gives me the choice of accepting his wisdom or my own. The “mystery” I have found in living is that God’s grace is continually exercised toward even the “chief of sinners”, if I will but embrace it. Let God be right (and righteous) though my way, my truth and my life be found a lie. (Romans 3:4.) That is where humility lies.
'principalities and powers in the heavenly places' refers to angels,both good and bad,which have tremendous influence on Earth.Angels can learn more about the wisdom of God through the church.We are fellow learners with the angels in the school of Christ.The fallen angels will get to know something about the love of God from the church.The angels can learn how God is transforming His own.
We are to walk worthly of our calling as all the angelic powers have intense interest in whatever is happening in church.
Yes!
Is there anything or being bad in heaven Can unholy things or beings fit in heaven i once heard of a being who was called the morning star who was chased away from heaven because of crafting evil and this being up to now is roaming on earth My point is how can you say thair are bad angels in heaven when this angel of light was dismissed in heaven for nothing bad has s place in heaven
Sorry Mawoyo: i misunderstood by the 'heavenly places' and heaven.
When the power of the gospel deeply hits the heart of men, unity must surface in the environment. What's the gospel or the "good news" all about? They're about transforming hearts arrowed by this intense feeling of hope, grace, and gratitude mixed with insignificance and smallness, truly unique, memorable, and exclusive! You can try it yourself; it is free.
As I read the lessons this quarter, I am more and more inclined to move away from the urge to discuss the theological aspects of Paul's writings to the Ephesians. As a born and raised Seventh-day Adventist, I have read and have been preached to about these passages more times than I could remember. However, all this scholarly knowledge will do little to help me develop "the mind of Christ" if: 1. I do not recognize that I need fixing by the Holy Ghost; 2. I have to daily beg the Holy Ghost for cleansing; 3. I need to totally rely on the Holy Spirit to direct me in building Christlike motives, thoughts, desires, and behavior. Without the Holy Spirit, I am incline to become good at external displays of Christianity but still have the human nature that I was born with, and what begins to grow speedy once I get to about the age of 10 years old.
It is sad to find that the angels following the apostate son of God thought his 'way' to be better than the 'way' chosen by the creator of this world – the faithful Son of God. This old, original, but to us ‘New Way’, is now given to the Ekklesia to live by. It is a glorious demonstration for all the worlds to observe, including the powers and principalities in heavenly places - that God’s Wisdom by which man finds life is superior.
I can understand Paul’s assessment of himself as he looks back, comprehending the error of what he did when being a zealot securing the purity of the Law of Moses. We learned that he participated or even caused the death of those following the 'Way of the Gospel of Jesus Christ'.
When God's Grace changed his heart and mind, he became a member of the 'New Way'. In light of his past, one can understand his declaration to be the ‘chief or worst sinner’ – the ‘very least of the saints’ - the ‘least of the apostles’. How humbled and grateful he must have been for God’s forgiveness and call to become an apostle for Jesus Christ!
In essence, I see all his writings revealing to his listeners the incredible change of heart and mind he experienced. As the Holy Spirit reveals to us the depth and breath of the Wisdom of God, we experience this transformation as well.
In the spirit of God's loving fellowship, we are now called to be united in Christ and His Righteousness as revealed to us by Scripture and the Holy Spirit.
Our heavenly Father made a choice and all the worlds, principalities and powers are informed that He chose to unite all life in His Son – Jesus Christ. Thank God for inviting us to walk in His Way of Truth and Light – Justice through Grace and Mercy.
Who is the apostate son of God?
Hi Pretty - I believe this to be Lucifer. - Job 1:6-7. Other passages also refer to sons of God. It is noted that ‘he came with them’. This might indicate that he held a greater status/ authority then the other angels, since he was able to rally a great number of them to follow him in his rebellion.
I don't see anything in the Bible referring to an "apostate son of God." If there were one, it would be Adam, I would think. But I believe he repented long and thoroughly. And that would make him no longer an apostate.
Lucifer was created as an "angel" - meaning "messenger." Angels are also called ministering spirits. (Hebrews 1:7, 14)
No angel is ever called a "son of God."
If we discount "Michael, the great Prince," (Dan. 12:1) then only two angels are named in the Bible - Lucifer and Gabriel.
The first human, however, was called a "son of God." (e.g. Luke 3:38) He, along with his wife, was given "dominion" over this planet (Gen. 1:26-28), only to give up his dominion to Satan by listening to him instead of God who made him ruler. Note that Christ even calls Satan the "prince of this world" in John 14:30.
All biblical references to "sons of God" (plural) also appear to refer to humans who worship God. All other references (other than Adam) to "Son of God" (singular) refer to Christ, the divine Son who became the "last Adam."
Because of this, Seventh-day Adventists have generally interpreted the "sons of God" in Job to be representatives of other worlds over which they were given dominion, just like Adam was given dominion over this world. Since Satan usurped the dominion of Adam, he showed up among the sons of God in Adam's place, as representative of this earth.
The Good News is that Christ, as the "second Adam" regained the dominion that Adam had forfeited. (1 Cor. 15:22, 1 Cor. 15:42-47) In Christ we have a new heritage - both spiritual and physical!