Today’s readings: Ephesians 1-3, Psalm 103
Ephesians 1:3-10
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.
I like to say that Ephesians 1:6 is the key to the meaning of the universe. I also like to say that I believe it better than I can explain it. But I believe it is profoundly true that in the end we will be caught up in eternal joy, delight, life, light, and praise because of the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
I have an image in my mind of the most holy, godly, outwardly righteous person I know. He epitomizes Psalm 1. He does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or sit with scoffers. Rather, he delights in the Law of the LORD and meditates on it day and night (Psalm 1:1–3, paraphrased).
This man is godly through and through.
And yet, on the great Last Day, when the dead are raised and he is welcomed into the presence of the Lamb who was slain and now reigns upon the throne, he is absolutely gobsmacked by the grace of God.
He realizes that he is no less in need of God’s grace than the vilest sinner. And that grace is so precious to him that he joins in the eternal praise of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
That may sound boring to you. But I don’t imagine heaven as one very long worship service. Whatever activities God has in store for us—banqueting, serving, working (joyfully, and without thorns!)—our hearts will overflow with praise for his glorious grace.
There are, of course, other worthy reasons to praise God.
Consider his majesty and glory, his incredible creation, and his power to part the Red Sea or bring down the walls of Jericho. Think of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. And certainly Jesus’ own resurrection and bodily ascension into heaven are worthy of our highest praise!
But behind all these things is God’s glorious grace. And nowhere is that grace revealed more fully than in Jesus Christ.
There is, however, a difficult question we must face. Why are some included in that great throng of praise—forgiven, redeemed, and saved—while others are not?
Paul speaks here of God’s choosing us in Christ and predestining us for adoption. That brings us to what theologians have called the crux theologorum—the theologian’s cross. Why are some saved and others not?
Three answers come to mind.
1. God predestines some to heaven and others to hell.
I reject this. Scripture teaches that God desires all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). He does not desire the damnation of those whom he calls to repentance and salvation.
2. Some people are simply more receptive to Jesus than others.
I reject this, too. The Bible teaches that apart from Christ we are dead in our trespasses and sins. We cannot come to Jesus or believe in him by our own reason or strength. That is the work of the Holy Spirit.
This explanation would make salvation depend on something better within us. It would make faith our contribution to salvation rather than the means by which we receive God’s gift. The difference is subtle but vitally important!
3. I don’t know. It’s a mystery.
That’s where I land.
I cannot explain why some are saved and others are not. But I can look to the cross and know what God has revealed there. Jesus died for sinners. He rose from the dead. Through him there is forgiveness, redemption, and salvation—all received through faith, which itself is God’s gift.
God’s glorious grace!
So why do I call Ephesians 1:6 the key to the meaning of the universe?
Because when all is said and done, when every earthly kingdom has passed away and every human achievement has faded, the praise of God’s glorious grace will remain.
And we will be caught up in that praise because God has graciously given us a place among the redeemed in Jesus Christ.
Like I said, I believe it better than I can explain it. But I absolutely believe it!
Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.
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