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Ephesians 1:7-12, Blessings in Christ's Work
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ” (Eph 1:7-12).
This portion of scripture not only tells us of the blessing of redemption in Christ’s blood (in whom we have redemption), but also of the blessing of God upon us in having the knowledge of the redemption of Christ’s blood (Having made known unto us the mystery of his will). You see, redemption is secure and definite for all the elect, yet the knowledge of God’s will may be lacking (I Thess 4:13-18).
“A poor old widow, living in the Scottish Highlands, was called upon one day by a gentleman who had heard that she was in need. The old lady complained of her condition, and remarked that her son was in Australia and doing well. “But does he do nothing to help you?” inquired the visitor. “No, nothing,” was the reply. “He writes me regularly once a month, but only sends me a little picture with his letter”. The gentleman asked to see one of the pictures that she had received, and found each one of them to be a draft for ten pounds. This is the condition of many of God’s children. He has given us many “exceeding great and precious promises,” which we either are ignorant of or fail to appropriate”. Moody’s Anecdotes, Page 115.
To abound (hath abounded toward us) is to lavish or to cause to overflow. Possession of the knowledge of the mystery of God’s will in Christ is God’s grace abounding according to his good pleasure. How amazing. God has not only saved us, but it was his purpose in this dispensation to lavish his people in the knowledge of mysteries that had been kept secret since the foundation of the world. In scripture, a mystery made known is a truth revealed which before was not explicated. The gospel reveals such mysteries as the incarnation of the Second person of the Trinity (I Tim 3:16); Jesus Christ’s love for his bride, the elect (Eph 5:32); the resurrection of Christ (I Cor 15:51); the Spirit of Christ in his people in the new birth (Col 1:26-27); and the evil expanding work of Satan (II Thess 2:7-9).
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A dispensation is the administration, stewardship, or management of an economy. In the administration of the gospel economy the Lord designed to make known that his will in heaven and earth was consummated in Christ. (That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him). “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (Col 1:25-26).
It has been made known in the gospel that God has predestinated the saints to an inheritance in heaven (That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will). The word obtained means to be bequeathed by lot. The gospel declares that believers are in the lot of the chosen and are bequeathed an inheritance in heaven through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. No wonder the gospel is the good news and no wonder though the old testament saints were blessed with shadows of the truth, it is said that God has provided something better for those of us in this gospel day (Heb 11:39-12:3).
Samuel Leibowitz, a criminal lawyer and judge, saved 78 men from the electric chair. Can you believe that not one ever did bother to thank him? Brethren, “ the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Ro 6:23). Seeing that we are so blessed to have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and seeing that we have been lavished with the knowledge of what the Lord has done for us we “should be to the praise of his glory”. Let us “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Ps 100:4).
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