Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"That we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory."
Text: Ephesians 1:12
CREATED FOR GOD’S OWN GLORY
The idea of God’s glory was also a theme that some of the prophets wrote about. Consider the following words that the prophet Isaiah wrote.
“Everyone who is called by My name,
Whom I have created for My glory;
I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”
ISAIAH 43:7
We have a powerful teaching in this text. This idea is not limited to the nation of Israel. It is applicable to the work of redemption that God wrought in Christ. All who truly know God and His plan of salvation must seek to appreciate this vital truth. We were created to display God’s glory. We were redeemed to demonstrate the wondrous glory of the Lord.
A DEEP APOSTOLIC INSIGHT
Paul showed that he comprehended this great truth. With all his heart he embraced this concept of giving all glory to God.
“That we who first trusted in Christ…”- A Purpose Clause
This statement was written as “a purpose clause”. (Paul used the simple infinitive to express God’s purpose. The word “that” may be read as “in order that.”) There was high purpose behind God’s redemptive plan. His plan reflected His glory.
“Trust” (“elpizo”- hope”)
The word “trust” is literally the word normally translated as “hope”. We may trace the following development leading to the word “trust”.
1. Faith begins with knowledge of God’s redemptive plan in Christ.
2. Hope in God is created as a result of a genuine Faith in God.
3. Trust is the culmination of this hope in God..
“We who first trusted in Christ”
Paul wrote reflectively here. He thought of how he and others had learned to have hope (and trust) in the Lord. The idea of “first trusted” has chronological significance only. Those who were to believe later would not be any less in importance in God’s sight.
“To the praise of His glory”
How wonderful it would be if all who are truly “in Christ” were to focus on this thought. Salvation was never meant to cause us to feel smug or self-centered! Our newly redeemed life in Christ was meant to display the great glory of God. Every believer should strive to cultivate this special desire to live “to the praise of His glory”.