FREED TO ACCESS SPIRITUAL RICHES
By Lay Pastor Wahyu Widodo
Johor, Sunday, January 28, 2018
Shalom,
Right from the outset, God determinedly planned to reveal Himself to man. But man tends to chase after freedom. The truth is that his pursuit does not bring about the real freedom because he, in fact, remains enslaved by numerous futile desires (Romans 1: 28).
Everyone is desperately enarmored of something before the Gospel of salvation rescues him and, outside the Gospel, not a single man knows the will of God. One of the churches that received the Gospel of salvation was the church in Ephesus.
In the first century, Ephesus was a flourishing city with its super busy harbor where the stream of commerce thrived. No one came in sight of a deserted market. From the economic point of view, the people in Ephesus lived a decent life and in abundance as well. On top of that, their culture was renown worldwide. Their theater could seat tens of thousands of spectators. The broad marble streets were lined with columns that the Ephesians took great pride in. Speaking of religion, they built exceptionally imposing shrines and structures in honor of the goddess Artemis and their emperor alike.
Most of the Ephesian metropolitans made a living from silver statues. They joined a silversmith association chaired by Demetrius. It goes without saying that the Ephesians lived a secure life. But, was that the end goal of their lives? Did God want them to live a life that way?
Being an apostle of Christ with the knowledge of God’s will, Paul knew what was more benefitial for the Ephesians. For that reason, he gospelized the Kingdom of God (Acts 19:8). Having witnessed the life transformations taking place among the Ephesians, he had no objection to greeting and calling them holy saints worthy of God’s grace and peace (Ephesians 1: 1-2).
Evidently, the power of God’s Word set some of the Ephesians free from the bondage of idolatry that blinded them so that they could see the grace of God. They were released from loving the world and the things in it. Further, they were sanctified by their faith in the sacrifice of Christ, living in hope for Jesus Christ the Lord. Apart from that, they submitted their will and desires to God’s plan as demonstrated by Jesus (cf. John 5: 30). We should, therefore, follow in Jesus’ footsteps as He acted and did everything conforming to God’s commands. In other words, never did He do anything out of step with God’s plan.
If we take a closer look at Ephesians 1: 3-14, we will learn that these verses describe the prime role of Christ in His redemption while verses 3-6 expose the exclusive act of Christ in the plan of God the Father who designated Him to grant us spiritual blessings from heaven. For this purpose, Jesus was to die on the cross. By His blood, we were redeemed and spotlessly sanctified. Additionally, He adopted us as children of God who will someday inherit the heavenly riches. God’s plan is entirely meant to give us grace the purpose of which is to give praises to God the Father who has expressed His love to us.
What do Ephesians 1: 7-12 have to say? This passage unfolds the supremacy of Christ in regard to the participating believers. The blood of Christ is priceless indeed, surpassing anything in this world.
Thanks to His holy blood, we were redeemed, forgiven and sanctified due to our sins. This way, we have access to the riches of His grace, including wisdom and understanding which both guide us to take wise actions and live righteous lives before Him.
God’s plan embodies the mystery of His will made known to us and established in Christ. It is intended to unite everything in heaven with everything on earth with Christ as the Head over all things. Only those who believe in Christ are partakers of His promises. The Gospel is proclaimed to enable believers to obtain their shares in agreement with God’s accord. In this case, the hope of a holy church of God rests on Christ to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1: 13-14 display the sovereignity of Christ in implementing the Holy Spirit. In Jesus Christ, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit as a warranty to access the fulfilment of the promised redemption that makes us God’s possessions to the praise of His glory.
From the beginning up to the present Church Age, the role of the Triune God has been prevailing. This will be proceeding until the perfection of His plan comes to pass. The church must be released form any bondage that hampers the fulfilment of God’s plan. The success in conquering this world and even accruing the assets of God’s church with everything on earth does not define the parameter for reaching the goal. Only Jesus Christ with His sacrifice is mighty to lead the church of God to the fulfilment of God’s plan established, determined and sealed by the Holy Spirit.
We cannot afford any words but our endless thanks at the moment when we are released from the bondage of earthly riches in exchange for spiritual riches of eternal value so as to live together with the Proprietor of heavenly riches forever and ever. A m e n.