According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
The eternal purpose was formed from eternity and before time began in Christ Jesus our Lord, and is now carried out in Him. It is the plan for the salvation and redemption of the fallen race, devised to express the love of Jesus toward man and to show before the universe the glory of divine love. Long hidden in God as a mystery from the beginning of the world, it is now revealed by the Spirit, that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel. According to that purpose the manifold wisdom of God is now to be made known by the church to principalities and powers in heavenly places. It was carried out when Jesus came into the world as the visible representative of the invisible God to redeem the world by infinite sacrifice, as propitiation for the sins of the whole world.
Words and Historical Setting
According to the eternal purpose, God formed a purpose from eternity and before time began in Christ Jesus our Lord, and He is now carrying it out in Him. That purpose is eternal and was established in Christ Jesus, including the making known through the church of the manifold, many-sided wisdom of God to principalities and powers and rulers and authorities in heavenly places. Through the church His manifold wisdom is made known to heavenly rulers and powers, as Paul preached Christ's unsearchable riches to the Gentiles and made men see the fellowship of the mystery.
That eternal purpose was a mystery hidden in God from the beginning of the world, and it is now revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets. Once hidden in God, the mystery is now opened so all may see their share in the hidden plan and so the church may make known God's wisdom to rulers and authorities in heaven in heavenly places. The revealed mystery is that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel, through the preaching of the unsearchable riches of Christ.
The hidden purpose was brought into action when Satan tempted Eve and she sinned and she tempted Adam and he sinned. The world and all things were created by Jesus Christ through the power of God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. Creation itself was originated in God's purpose that He might glorify Himself in the redemption of His people.
The verse stands in Ephesians 3:7-21, which teaches about the divine-human family. It belongs to Paul's commendation, love, labor, encouragement and prayer for the saints at Ephesus, asking the Father to strengthen them with might by His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith and they, rooted and grounded in love, may comprehend the breadth and length and depth and height and know the love of Christ which passes knowledge and be filled with all the fullness of God. It is to be read carefully and prayerfully as personally for every minister in every conference, whether formally ordained or not, calling every shepherd to more than casual interest in the lost sheep, to earnest travail for souls and to heart-searching and prayer to know God. It is to be read to hearers and impressed upon minds together with the fourth chapter of Ephesians, and to be read in connection with Christ's later message to the church at Ephesus after she left her first love.
Gentiles Joined by Gospel
According to the eternal purpose formed in Christ Jesus the Lord, the mystery hidden from the beginning of the world in God who created all things by Jesus Christ is now revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets. That revealed mystery is that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs with believing Jews and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel. To this intent the manifold, many-sided wisdom of God is now to be made known by the church to principalities and powers and rulers in heavenly places, and believers are called to carry the message to those who have not heard it.
Paul was made a minister of that mystery by the gift of God's grace to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all men see the fellowship of the mystery. That purpose gives the gospel minister his solemn work by grace and the effectual working of power, though least of all saints, and it requires more than preaching. It requires self-sacrificing, well-directed personal labor as a servant of the people for souls for whom Christ died in all countries, and one who chooses only the least self-sacrificing part and leaves ministering for another mistakes his calling and his labors are not acceptable to God. Those who administer must fall upon the Rock and be broken so the Lord may put His superscription upon them and fashion them as vessels unto honor as laborers together with God for the saving of souls, counting it the highest privilege to have part in bringing about the blessed state when all things are made new.
Under this same purpose the gospel invitation is to go to the whole world, including the Gentiles and those fallen through sin to the very lowest depths. Ministers of Christ are to compel the unfit to come in as they are that His house may be filled, while those who refuse the invitation will not be allowed to taste of His supper. God gives His reward according to His purpose in Christ, not according to human merit, with His saving mercy and generous promise as the basis for those who trust Him.
Redemption Purposed in Christ
The eternal purpose is the plan of salvation and redemption of the fallen race, the salvation of souls and the triumph of grace and love. It was devised prior to the commencement of time, before time began, in the mind of God to express the love and benevolence of Jesus toward man. It embodies before the universe the glory of divine love in the saving of humanity, and creation itself was originated in order that God might glorify Himself in that redemption. The heavenly universe views the salvation of sinners in this light, as a plan devised from eternity. Because the plan is so great, workers are not their own but, sprinkled with the blood of Christ's sacrifice, are to be a living sacrifice in entire consecration, heart to heart with the Redeemer in sympathy with God, having compassion for unsaved souls, warning the many who must be warned, and willing to be anything or nothing if only souls can be won.
The purpose was carried out when Jesus, charged with His exalted mission, came into the world as the visible representative of the invisible God to redeem the world by infinite sacrifice. Christ is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world and the compassionate High Priest to whom sinners should look, and His sacrifice makes it possible for sinners to return to obedience to the commandments. The manifold wisdom made known in this redeeming love is righteousness, for nothing unrighteous can be wise. It was declared by the death of Christ, which no person can declare or display in his own strength or words.
The eternal purpose is to make all things new, for him that overcometh to inherit all things and to reign forever and ever, and for all the earth to be filled with the glory of the Lord. Paul counted it his highest privilege to have a part in bringing about that blessed state by preaching among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and making all men see the fellowship of the mystery hidden from the beginning of the world in God who created all things by Jesus Christ. The exaltation of the redeemed will be an enduring testimony in the ages to come to God's mercy, showing the riches of His grace and kindness through Christ. The purpose includes the church's future triumph, when after its conflict with evil is complete the redeemed will possess the promised land and the promised blessings will be fully realized.
The blessings of grace bestowed for Christ's sake upon those who believe are fruits of the eternal purpose. They are given not only to save believers but to reveal to the universe the perfection of Christ's character, which otherwise could not be made known. They are given so that all believers may adorn the doctrine of Christ our Saviour, with that doctrine permeating the whole being until its influence is felt in the family, in the church, and in all the associations of life. This alone distinguishes believers as those who keep the commandments of God, for as Christ did in His human nature, they are to show to the universe of heaven, to the church, and to the world that they are living the principles of the law of the kingdom of heaven.
Church Reveals Heavenly Wisdom
According to the eternal purpose formed from eternity in Christ Jesus the Lord and now carried out in Him, the mystery hidden in God who created all things by Jesus Christ from the beginning of the world is now revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets. That hidden purpose was brought into action when Satan tempted Eve and she sinned and she tempted Adam and he sinned, and the world itself had been created by Jesus Christ through the power of God. The revealed mystery is that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel, with believing Jews sharing the same promise through the gospel. Paul was made a minister by the gift of God's grace to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all men see the fellowship of the mystery, opening to all people their share in the hidden plan.
To this intent, now by the church the manifold, many-sided wisdom of God is to be made known to principalities and powers and rulers and authorities in heavenly places in heavenly places. What God has revealed is to be studied diligently and cherished as truth that works by love and purifies the soul, while what He has not revealed is to be left alone and all spiritualistic ideas of God shunned, since human minds would tarnish His glory if they handled His unrevealed treasures of wisdom. Under this purpose believers receive boldness and access with confidence by faith, strength in the inner man by the Spirit, Christ dwelling in the heart by faith, rootedness in love, comprehension of breadth and length and depth and height, knowledge of the love of Christ, and fullness of God.
Creation itself was originated so that God might glorify Himself in the redemption of His people, and His church is to Him the dearest object on earth. Therefore no work for God is to shape itself or separate itself from the church or exalt itself above the church and the ministry, but is to be carried on in unity as co-working and co-laboring with God. Those who walk humbly with God, yoked up with Christ, are co-workers and co-laborers with Him in that purpose, and their work will be as enduring as eternity.
The church fulfills this purpose when she arises to her exalted privileges and each member stands in his place to represent the life and character of Jesus Christ, who devoted Himself wholly to the work of redemption. She reveals her high and holy character through earnest, active, persevering religious service that carries the triumphs of the cross. When these words are believed and lived, the church reflects heaven on earth and prepares its members for heaven.
That manifold wisdom is righteousness, for nothing unrighteous can be wise, and it was declared by the death of Christ, which no human can declare in his own strength or words. God's wisdom and power wait for every human agent, calling all to tax every spiritual nerve and muscle, to arm against every obstructing influence, to lift the mind to noble and elevated thoughts, and with humble prayer to search to know what is truth in striving for entrance into the city which has foundations. He works with profound wisdom that never makes a mistake to carry out His wise and holy plan for the fallen race, and those who walk in humility and faith and trust in Him are laborers together with God, with His complete and perfect character to be expressed in the lifework of His blood-bought heritage.
Proclaiming and Living Purpose
According to the eternal purpose in Christ Jesus our Lord, the message for believers now is shaped by the nearness of the end and the swift passing of time. It calls for a world-wide, earnest work to be done in a short time, proclaiming truth as warning and salvation to those who never heard the reasons of faith and telling where the world stands in history as the world grows worse. God's people are to take hold of Him in earnest, to carry Paul's burden, to be aroused to their true position, to stand united with one voice, to heed His judgments and word, and to refuse to hinder the work. Transgressions must be shown because they hinder the last message of warning, and turning fully to the Lord now brings mercy and abundant pardon before He comes suddenly and probation closes while the Spirit still strives with souls.
That purpose gives the gospel minister his solemn work by the gift of God's grace and the effectual working of His power, though least of all saints, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all see the fellowship of the mystery hidden from the beginning in God who created all things by Jesus Christ. The work requires more than preaching and more than casual interest in the lost sheep; it requires earnest travail for souls, most earnest heart-searching and prayerful seeking to know God and the power of His grace, so that religious history is not tame and commonplace but marked by grace and the decided working of divine power with human effort. It requires self-sacrificing, well-directed personal labor as a servant of the people for souls for whom Christ died in all countries, and one who chooses only the least self-sacrificing part and leaves ministering for another mistakes his calling and his labors are not acceptable. Those who administer must fall upon the Rock and be broken so the Lord may put His superscription upon them and fashion them as vessels unto honor as laborers together with God for saving souls.
The same chapter is a lesson for all teachers, all ministers of the gospel, and all who occupy responsible positions and hold positions of trust in the work of God. Those who believe the truth must manifest its characteristics and demonstrate the principles of the law of God to an unbelieving world, for departure from its righteous principles separates the soul from God and shuts out the quickening, discerning influence of the divine mind. Professed believers who act out the perversity of the sinner and show imperfections of character in spirit or action, setting a wrong example in the family, in the school, in the church, or in the world wherever they may be, must become converted before they can be trusted with responsibilities. Otherwise they should be advised to take up some other calling or work where they will not act the spirit of the unbeliever and lead others in a wrong direction.
The gospel work magnifies truth through its sanctifying, cleansing, and refining influence, and it is carried out by the whole church, not ministers alone but all united to Christ by faith who embrace truth that works by love and purifies the soul as children of God in one family. This requires complete transformation of character and servants laboring together with Christ to roll away the curse of lukewarmness, so the church shines forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. Self must be put out of sight, Satan's plans refused, and his hindrances overcome — alienation, disunion, diversity of opinion, envy, evil surmisings, faultfinding, seeking the highest place, and commercial business absorbing attention and means that belong to proclamation. Believers are to put on the whole armor of God, labor together with Christ in unity with one voice, and daily breathe heaven's atmosphere and catch the inspiration of angels in the heavenly courts, a teaching to be read to hearers and impressed with the fourth chapter of Ephesians because it cures hard-spiritedness and brings reformation in words, works, and spiritual understanding through the Holy Spirit. God also carries out His eternal purpose through His people as they walk in humility and faith, enabling men, women, and children to work in harmony and proclaim truth as it is in Jesus, spreading the light and calling a people faithful to His commandments, thereby making known that He is the true God.
Under this purpose believers receive boldness and access with confidence by faith in Him, belonging to Paul's commendation, love, encouragement, and prayer for the saints at Ephesus for whom he labored much. The Father strengthens them with might by His Spirit in the inner man, Christ dwells in their hearts by faith, and rooted and grounded in love they comprehend breadth and length and depth and height, know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, and are filled with all the fullness of God. A deeper experience with God brings peace with Him and enables believers to make that manifold wisdom known to principalities and powers in heavenly places, and the passage is to be read in connection with Christ's message to Ephesus after she left her first love.
The chapter reveals the work to be done for everyone who is saved: Christ is to be revealed in and through them. From the beginning God purposed for every child of God to receive in Christ Jesus our Lord all fullness and greatness of Christian experience, and this eternal purpose is to be taken and believed as Christ's promise to be with His people.
What God has revealed is to be studied diligently and cherished as truth that works by love and purifies the soul, while what He has not revealed is to be left alone and all spiritualistic ideas of God shunned, since human minds would tarnish His glory if they handled His unrevealed treasures of wisdom.
When rightly received, the gospel gathers people as God's children in one family with free access to Him as Father, and their unselfish love and freedom from strife display the eternal purpose by which God's manifold wisdom is made known even to heavenly powers. This unity in Christ is the standard for home life, where husband and wife are to be one in Christ and children are a sacred trust to be trained for the Lord in pure and holy living.
Because the salvation of sinners is a plan devised from eternity and viewed in that light by the heavenly universe, workers for God are not their own but, sprinkled with the blood of Christ's sacrifice, are by grace to be a living sacrifice in entire consecration. Being heart to heart with the Redeemer in this solemn closing work means having compassion for unsaved souls, sympathizing with God, warning the many who must be warned, and being willing to be anything or nothing if only souls can be won to Christ. The blessings of grace bestowed for Christ's sake upon believers are fruits of His eternal purpose, given so all may adorn the doctrine of Christ our Saviour, with that doctrine permeating the whole being until its influence is felt in the family, in the church, and in all associations of life. This alone distinguishes believers as those who keep God's commandments, and as Christ did in human nature they are to show to heaven's universe, to the church, and to the world that they are living the principles of the law of the kingdom of heaven.
The eternal purpose was formed from eternity and before time began in Christ Jesus our Lord, and is now carried out in Him. It is the plan for the salvation and redemption of the fallen race, devised to express the love of Jesus toward man and to show before the universe the glory of divine love. Long hidden in God as a mystery from the beginning of the world, it is now revealed by the Spirit, that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel. According to that purpose the manifold wisdom of God is now to be made known by the church to principalities and powers in heavenly places. It was carried out when Jesus came into the world as the visible representative of the invisible God to redeem the world by infinite sacrifice, as propitiation for the sins of the whole world.
Words and Historical Setting
According to the eternal purpose, God formed a purpose from eternity and before time began in Christ Jesus our Lord, and He is now carrying it out in Him. That purpose is eternal and was established in Christ Jesus, including the making known through the church of the manifold, many-sided wisdom of God to principalities and powers and rulers and authorities in heavenly places. Through the church His manifold wisdom is made known to heavenly rulers and powers, as Paul preached Christ's unsearchable riches to the Gentiles and made men see the fellowship of the mystery.
That eternal purpose was a mystery hidden in God from the beginning of the world, and it is now revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets. Once hidden in God, the mystery is now opened so all may see their share in the hidden plan and so the church may make known God's wisdom to rulers and authorities in heaven in heavenly places. The revealed mystery is that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel, through the preaching of the unsearchable riches of Christ.
The hidden purpose was brought into action when Satan tempted Eve and she sinned and she tempted Adam and he sinned. The world and all things were created by Jesus Christ through the power of God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. Creation itself was originated in God's purpose that He might glorify Himself in the redemption of His people.
The verse stands in Ephesians 3:7-21, which teaches about the divine-human family. It belongs to Paul's commendation, love, labor, encouragement and prayer for the saints at Ephesus, asking the Father to strengthen them with might by His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith and they, rooted and grounded in love, may comprehend the breadth and length and depth and height and know the love of Christ which passes knowledge and be filled with all the fullness of God. It is to be read carefully and prayerfully as personally for every minister in every conference, whether formally ordained or not, calling every shepherd to more than casual interest in the lost sheep, to earnest travail for souls and to heart-searching and prayer to know God. It is to be read to hearers and impressed upon minds together with the fourth chapter of Ephesians, and to be read in connection with Christ's later message to the church at Ephesus after she left her first love.
Gentiles Joined by Gospel
According to the eternal purpose formed in Christ Jesus the Lord, the mystery hidden from the beginning of the world in God who created all things by Jesus Christ is now revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets. That revealed mystery is that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs with believing Jews and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel. To this intent the manifold, many-sided wisdom of God is now to be made known by the church to principalities and powers and rulers in heavenly places, and believers are called to carry the message to those who have not heard it.
Paul was made a minister of that mystery by the gift of God's grace to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all men see the fellowship of the mystery. That purpose gives the gospel minister his solemn work by grace and the effectual working of power, though least of all saints, and it requires more than preaching. It requires self-sacrificing, well-directed personal labor as a servant of the people for souls for whom Christ died in all countries, and one who chooses only the least self-sacrificing part and leaves ministering for another mistakes his calling and his labors are not acceptable to God. Those who administer must fall upon the Rock and be broken so the Lord may put His superscription upon them and fashion them as vessels unto honor as laborers together with God for the saving of souls, counting it the highest privilege to have part in bringing about the blessed state when all things are made new.
Under this same purpose the gospel invitation is to go to the whole world, including the Gentiles and those fallen through sin to the very lowest depths. Ministers of Christ are to compel the unfit to come in as they are that His house may be filled, while those who refuse the invitation will not be allowed to taste of His supper. God gives His reward according to His purpose in Christ, not according to human merit, with His saving mercy and generous promise as the basis for those who trust Him.
Redemption Purposed in Christ
The eternal purpose is the plan of salvation and redemption of the fallen race, the salvation of souls and the triumph of grace and love. It was devised prior to the commencement of time, before time began, in the mind of God to express the love and benevolence of Jesus toward man. It embodies before the universe the glory of divine love in the saving of humanity, and creation itself was originated in order that God might glorify Himself in that redemption. The heavenly universe views the salvation of sinners in this light, as a plan devised from eternity. Because the plan is so great, workers are not their own but, sprinkled with the blood of Christ's sacrifice, are to be a living sacrifice in entire consecration, heart to heart with the Redeemer in sympathy with God, having compassion for unsaved souls, warning the many who must be warned, and willing to be anything or nothing if only souls can be won.
The purpose was carried out when Jesus, charged with His exalted mission, came into the world as the visible representative of the invisible God to redeem the world by infinite sacrifice. Christ is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world and the compassionate High Priest to whom sinners should look, and His sacrifice makes it possible for sinners to return to obedience to the commandments. The manifold wisdom made known in this redeeming love is righteousness, for nothing unrighteous can be wise. It was declared by the death of Christ, which no person can declare or display in his own strength or words.
The eternal purpose is to make all things new, for him that overcometh to inherit all things and to reign forever and ever, and for all the earth to be filled with the glory of the Lord. Paul counted it his highest privilege to have a part in bringing about that blessed state by preaching among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and making all men see the fellowship of the mystery hidden from the beginning of the world in God who created all things by Jesus Christ. The exaltation of the redeemed will be an enduring testimony in the ages to come to God's mercy, showing the riches of His grace and kindness through Christ. The purpose includes the church's future triumph, when after its conflict with evil is complete the redeemed will possess the promised land and the promised blessings will be fully realized.
The blessings of grace bestowed for Christ's sake upon those who believe are fruits of the eternal purpose. They are given not only to save believers but to reveal to the universe the perfection of Christ's character, which otherwise could not be made known. They are given so that all believers may adorn the doctrine of Christ our Saviour, with that doctrine permeating the whole being until its influence is felt in the family, in the church, and in all the associations of life. This alone distinguishes believers as those who keep the commandments of God, for as Christ did in His human nature, they are to show to the universe of heaven, to the church, and to the world that they are living the principles of the law of the kingdom of heaven.
Church Reveals Heavenly Wisdom
According to the eternal purpose formed from eternity in Christ Jesus the Lord and now carried out in Him, the mystery hidden in God who created all things by Jesus Christ from the beginning of the world is now revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets. That hidden purpose was brought into action when Satan tempted Eve and she sinned and she tempted Adam and he sinned, and the world itself had been created by Jesus Christ through the power of God. The revealed mystery is that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel, with believing Jews sharing the same promise through the gospel. Paul was made a minister by the gift of God's grace to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all men see the fellowship of the mystery, opening to all people their share in the hidden plan.
To this intent, now by the church the manifold, many-sided wisdom of God is to be made known to principalities and powers and rulers and authorities in heavenly places in heavenly places. What God has revealed is to be studied diligently and cherished as truth that works by love and purifies the soul, while what He has not revealed is to be left alone and all spiritualistic ideas of God shunned, since human minds would tarnish His glory if they handled His unrevealed treasures of wisdom. Under this purpose believers receive boldness and access with confidence by faith, strength in the inner man by the Spirit, Christ dwelling in the heart by faith, rootedness in love, comprehension of breadth and length and depth and height, knowledge of the love of Christ, and fullness of God.
Creation itself was originated so that God might glorify Himself in the redemption of His people, and His church is to Him the dearest object on earth. Therefore no work for God is to shape itself or separate itself from the church or exalt itself above the church and the ministry, but is to be carried on in unity as co-working and co-laboring with God. Those who walk humbly with God, yoked up with Christ, are co-workers and co-laborers with Him in that purpose, and their work will be as enduring as eternity.
The church fulfills this purpose when she arises to her exalted privileges and each member stands in his place to represent the life and character of Jesus Christ, who devoted Himself wholly to the work of redemption. She reveals her high and holy character through earnest, active, persevering religious service that carries the triumphs of the cross. When these words are believed and lived, the church reflects heaven on earth and prepares its members for heaven.
That manifold wisdom is righteousness, for nothing unrighteous can be wise, and it was declared by the death of Christ, which no human can declare in his own strength or words. God's wisdom and power wait for every human agent, calling all to tax every spiritual nerve and muscle, to arm against every obstructing influence, to lift the mind to noble and elevated thoughts, and with humble prayer to search to know what is truth in striving for entrance into the city which has foundations. He works with profound wisdom that never makes a mistake to carry out His wise and holy plan for the fallen race, and those who walk in humility and faith and trust in Him are laborers together with God, with His complete and perfect character to be expressed in the lifework of His blood-bought heritage.
Proclaiming and Living Purpose
According to the eternal purpose in Christ Jesus our Lord, the message for believers now is shaped by the nearness of the end and the swift passing of time. It calls for a world-wide, earnest work to be done in a short time, proclaiming truth as warning and salvation to those who never heard the reasons of faith and telling where the world stands in history as the world grows worse. God's people are to take hold of Him in earnest, to carry Paul's burden, to be aroused to their true position, to stand united with one voice, to heed His judgments and word, and to refuse to hinder the work. Transgressions must be shown because they hinder the last message of warning, and turning fully to the Lord now brings mercy and abundant pardon before He comes suddenly and probation closes while the Spirit still strives with souls.
That purpose gives the gospel minister his solemn work by the gift of God's grace and the effectual working of His power, though least of all saints, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all see the fellowship of the mystery hidden from the beginning in God who created all things by Jesus Christ. The work requires more than preaching and more than casual interest in the lost sheep; it requires earnest travail for souls, most earnest heart-searching and prayerful seeking to know God and the power of His grace, so that religious history is not tame and commonplace but marked by grace and the decided working of divine power with human effort. It requires self-sacrificing, well-directed personal labor as a servant of the people for souls for whom Christ died in all countries, and one who chooses only the least self-sacrificing part and leaves ministering for another mistakes his calling and his labors are not acceptable. Those who administer must fall upon the Rock and be broken so the Lord may put His superscription upon them and fashion them as vessels unto honor as laborers together with God for saving souls.
The same chapter is a lesson for all teachers, all ministers of the gospel, and all who occupy responsible positions and hold positions of trust in the work of God. Those who believe the truth must manifest its characteristics and demonstrate the principles of the law of God to an unbelieving world, for departure from its righteous principles separates the soul from God and shuts out the quickening, discerning influence of the divine mind. Professed believers who act out the perversity of the sinner and show imperfections of character in spirit or action, setting a wrong example in the family, in the school, in the church, or in the world wherever they may be, must become converted before they can be trusted with responsibilities. Otherwise they should be advised to take up some other calling or work where they will not act the spirit of the unbeliever and lead others in a wrong direction.
The gospel work magnifies truth through its sanctifying, cleansing, and refining influence, and it is carried out by the whole church, not ministers alone but all united to Christ by faith who embrace truth that works by love and purifies the soul as children of God in one family. This requires complete transformation of character and servants laboring together with Christ to roll away the curse of lukewarmness, so the church shines forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. Self must be put out of sight, Satan's plans refused, and his hindrances overcome — alienation, disunion, diversity of opinion, envy, evil surmisings, faultfinding, seeking the highest place, and commercial business absorbing attention and means that belong to proclamation. Believers are to put on the whole armor of God, labor together with Christ in unity with one voice, and daily breathe heaven's atmosphere and catch the inspiration of angels in the heavenly courts, a teaching to be read to hearers and impressed with the fourth chapter of Ephesians because it cures hard-spiritedness and brings reformation in words, works, and spiritual understanding through the Holy Spirit. God also carries out His eternal purpose through His people as they walk in humility and faith, enabling men, women, and children to work in harmony and proclaim truth as it is in Jesus, spreading the light and calling a people faithful to His commandments, thereby making known that He is the true God.
Under this purpose believers receive boldness and access with confidence by faith in Him, belonging to Paul's commendation, love, encouragement, and prayer for the saints at Ephesus for whom he labored much. The Father strengthens them with might by His Spirit in the inner man, Christ dwells in their hearts by faith, and rooted and grounded in love they comprehend breadth and length and depth and height, know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, and are filled with all the fullness of God. A deeper experience with God brings peace with Him and enables believers to make that manifold wisdom known to principalities and powers in heavenly places, and the passage is to be read in connection with Christ's message to Ephesus after she left her first love.
The chapter reveals the work to be done for everyone who is saved: Christ is to be revealed in and through them. From the beginning God purposed for every child of God to receive in Christ Jesus our Lord all fullness and greatness of Christian experience, and this eternal purpose is to be taken and believed as Christ's promise to be with His people.
What God has revealed is to be studied diligently and cherished as truth that works by love and purifies the soul, while what He has not revealed is to be left alone and all spiritualistic ideas of God shunned, since human minds would tarnish His glory if they handled His unrevealed treasures of wisdom.
When rightly received, the gospel gathers people as God's children in one family with free access to Him as Father, and their unselfish love and freedom from strife display the eternal purpose by which God's manifold wisdom is made known even to heavenly powers. This unity in Christ is the standard for home life, where husband and wife are to be one in Christ and children are a sacred trust to be trained for the Lord in pure and holy living.
Because the salvation of sinners is a plan devised from eternity and viewed in that light by the heavenly universe, workers for God are not their own but, sprinkled with the blood of Christ's sacrifice, are by grace to be a living sacrifice in entire consecration. Being heart to heart with the Redeemer in this solemn closing work means having compassion for unsaved souls, sympathizing with God, warning the many who must be warned, and being willing to be anything or nothing if only souls can be won to Christ. The blessings of grace bestowed for Christ's sake upon believers are fruits of His eternal purpose, given so all may adorn the doctrine of Christ our Saviour, with that doctrine permeating the whole being until its influence is felt in the family, in the church, and in all associations of life. This alone distinguishes believers as those who keep God's commandments, and as Christ did in human nature they are to show to heaven's universe, to the church, and to the world that they are living the principles of the law of the kingdom of heaven.