“the purpose of his willâ€
(Eph. 1:5)
“the mystery of his willâ€
(Eph. 1:9)
“the counsel of his willâ€
(Eph. 1:11)
When we reflect upon what makes life worth living, the words of old Mark Twain come to mind: “Now, that will depend on the liver†(London Punch). In addition to Twain’s pithy and pointed remark, it remains to be said that the life worth living is the life lived out in the will of God.
In referring to Ephesians chapter 1 as Paul’s Magnum Opus, we mean his great literary contribution to the inspired word of God. Many biblical prophets were not literary—Elijah and Elisha, for example. Paul was the Lord’s “chosen instrument†(Acts 9:15); and, as such, he wrote most of the New Testament.
“His will†takes on three dimensions in Ephesians 1: Purpose, Mystery, and Counsel (1:5,9,11). Unlike those who neglect their creator/redeemer, and have no meaning for their existence, Christians know meaning. Christians seek to live in the will of God; and in the will of God, they find their meaning, their power, and their affirmation of what is truly worthy.
-Robert M. Housby
Our 2005 Fall Semester Theme …
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.â€
(Hebrews 12:28)
The French have had a long standing concept in their culture, stemming from the saying, Laissez faire, laissez passer – “No interference, and complete freedom of movement.†Though this is traceable to Francois Quesnay’s 18th century view against governmental interference, it is by no means limited to government or French culture. Mankind, in general, when strayed from the God that made them, have invariably taken on this attitude of non-interference and come what may. The Bible is full of examples which verify this statement, from Cain to Diotrephes (1 John 3:12; 3 John 9).
But, the Hebrew writer does not allow this “leave me alone!†attitude to be applied merely to bad people. Oh no, he is careful to warn the entire church against this uncooperative and independent spirit which virtually banishes the Lord God and his church. Hebrews 12:25 reads: “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.â€
God does not want to leave us alone (compare Hebrews 13:5). Get the fear of God in your life. Begin with fear, and end with fear (Prov. 1:7; Eccl. 12:13). And, then, you will have no fear; by the living word of him who said, “Fear not, for I am with you†(Isa. 41:10; Ps. 23:4; 27:1; 2 Tim. 1;7; 1 Jn. 4:18; Rev. 2:10).
-Robert M. Housby