Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will."
Text: Ephesians 1:11
MEDITATION ON “GOD’S WILL”
The subject of “God’s will” is fascinating indeed. It must have had a profound impact on the heart and mind of the apostle Paul. One of the ways we may fathom and appreciate God’s will better is to take time to meditate upon the different ways in which the concept has been applied.
1. “Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God” Ephesians 1:1
This is an application with deep personal implications. Paul was deeply impacted that God’s will had such a personal application.
2. “According to the good pleasure of His will” Ephesians 1:5b
The focus or context of this application is with reference to our receiving the adoption of sons. Out of goodwill, God extended His invitation to all to become His children.
3. “Having made known to us the mystery of His will” Ephesians 1:9
The point of this statement is “revelation”. God in His matchless grace revealed wonderful aspects of His sovereign will to man.
MORE ABOUT GOD’S WILL
Paul added two more thoughts on the subject of God’s will.
1. God’s Purpose (“prothesis”)
God has His own purpose in electing people to be His sons and daughters. It behooves all who are genuinely God’s children to discover the purpose of His will in choosing them to belong to Him. The idea behind the word “purpose” (“prothesis”) is best understood against two contrasting ideas.
a) Purposelessness
Some who cannot appreciate God’s high purpose conclude that there is “no purpose” or “design” behind God’s activities.
b) Human purpose
Some unwisely seek to superimpose their own purposes over God’s. That always turns out disastrously.
2. God’s Counsel (“boule”)
The word “counsel” (“boule”) and the word “will”(“thelema”) are virtually synonyms. When they are used together (as in this context), the word “counsel” suggests the idea of “discussion”. In other words, the whole plan of salvation was something that was carefully discussed in the Godhead- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The results of their discussion would be “God’s will” (“thelema”).
SETTING ASIDE TIME TO DWELL ON THE PROFOUND WILL OF GOD
Paul has well established an important truth- that the will of God is astoundingly profound. Being on the receiving end, we tend to take for granted the blessings of God. We really should set aside much more time to dwell on this profound subject.