Grow With Pastor Joe

In “The Riches of His Grace Pt.1” we covered Christ’s Redeeming and Revealing Grace. If you haven’t read Pt. 1 go check it out before you go into the rest of this study on Ephesians 1:7-12.

The third jewel of these riches is found in Christ’s restoring grace. Eph. 1:10 says, “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:” Total restoration is the purpose of redemption and revelation of grace. We who are redeemed have had God’s purpose of eternal restoration of all things under and in Christ revealed to us by the riches of His grace. Everything in redemptive history longs for restoration. Everything in redemptive history is progressing toward the consummation or restoration of all things. It is clearer each day that this life is not what it was meant to be. That is why God revealed that we needed to be redeemed and restored to what God’s eternal purpose is in Christ. The “dispensation of the fulness of times” points us to a future consummation of all things in, under, by, and for Christ. It is all by His patient perfect grace. The word dispensation is often tricky for people to understand. As a dispensationalist, I understand this word to not merely be an age on the timetable of redemptive history. A dispensation should not be seen as an age but an administration of God’s word, work and will on the earth. God has always administered in His creation by His grace. Grace is the administrator of the program of all that God is, has done, is doing, and has promised to do in future. So, this phrase is simply pointing to the grand purpose that has been revealed to the redeemed. The grand purpose is that Christ is going to restore all things in Himself. Throughout the entire Bible this theme is being played out. Prophecies of this coming day of restoration and consummation includes judgment upon all and everlasting joy for those who are redeemed. This verse particularly seems to be pointing to the Millennial Reign of Christ following His literal return after a literal seven-year Tribulation period where He will judge the world in their unrighteousness and unbelief. Jesus is going to set up His earthly kingdom and restore all things in preparation for the ages to come. This will be a time that will be both the literal age and administration of Jesus as King of King, and Lord of Lords. You can see Col. 1:19-20, 1 & 2 Thess., or Rev. 19-21 for further details. The riches of His race have redeemed us, making us new creatures and now has revealed that Jesus will restore all things unto Himself in the future. This is what we groan and long for (Rom. 8:18-25). Our redemption has promised us that one day all things will be restored to be made new and complete in Jesus.

The redeeming, revealing, and restoring grace is also a rewarding grace. Ephesians 1:11-12 says, “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.” Our reward has already been alluded to. Each believer has been rewarded redemption, revelation, and restoration in Christ. Now, we see that we have “obtained an inheritance.” This phrase reminds us that we have not earned the riches of His grace. If we earned it, then it was never grace in the first place. However, if grace wasn’t there in the first place, then we wouldn’t have our wealth or walk in Christ. By zooming back out to all that we have covered so far in Ephesians 1, we are able to see the riches of His grace in a more complete sense. The father has adopted us through the Son’s redeeming blood to give us an inheritance of grace. This is God’s plan for us from eternity past. In eternity past, God not only had our redemption in Christ planned but also our reward in Christ planned. Our reward is the eternal riches of His redeeming, revealing, restoring grace in Christ. Eternity’s reward for those in Jesus Christ will be that we will enjoy the riches of His grace in a fuller sense than we ever could in this earthly life. The purpose of rewarding grace is to reveal the riches of our redemption and restoration in Christ. God’s grace is for our good. Grace is always for our good. Grace is always for our eternal good. God’s grace is for His glory. Grace is always revealing His glory. Grace is always for His eternal glory. When we see that we are a purchased people for the eternal purpose of praise to the glory of His grace we begin to see the wealth and walk we have in Christ. Grace is the rewarder. Grace is the reward. It is an infinite reward that is unending, undeserved, unearned, and unimaginable.

The riches of His grace that are seen in the “work of the Son” in Eph. 1:7-12 should cause our hearts to “be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” We have been purchased by His precious blood. This is our wealth in Christ. We should be to the praise of the glory of His grace in Christ. This is our walk in Christ. Being in Christ reveals to us our great wealth but it also requires that we should live accordingly. How could we be content to go back to the bondage of sin when we have been redeemed and forgiven? Why would we choose to walk as if we are broke when we are rich in His grace? There are only two kinds of people reading this. You are either redeemed or unredeemed. Forgiven or unforgiven. If you are unsure of which one you are, repent (turn from your sins in confession and contrition to Christ) and put your faith in Jesus alone for your redemption and forgiveness. Those who read this and are a part of the redeemed, are you living like it? Is your life to the praise of His glory? Let us learn, love and live in the riches of His grace.

Grow with me as we study the believer’s wealth and walk in Christ.

Grow deeper.

Grow higher.

Grow wider.