Letter to the Ephesians -- Chapter 3
Having elaborated on the special peace that Christ has brought to the Gentiles Paul continues on to discuss his purpose and calling as the Apostle to the Gentiles. “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles” (Ephesians 3:1). Paul’s appointing from Christ was to be the Apostle of the Gentiles. He was sent to preach the peace that all men (all men, not just Jews!) have been given and secured thru the blood of Christ. For this calling Paul was currently in prison in Rome and his words, “prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles”, tell us that all his suffering was done in order to glorify Christ and to make known the Gospel to the heathen Gentile world. Paul wasn’t in prison because the will of men had succeeded against him, he was in prison because God saw that thru these trials of Paul the Good News of Jesus Christ would be spread most effectively. Therefore Paul was also a “prisoner of Christ Jesus” in the sense that he was captive to God’s will and truth in Jesus Christ, no longer did he serve men or his own interests but only Christ. “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). Paul didn’t serve men or his own will because the message he proclaimed was not any man’s or even his own. He was not given the Gospel by men, he had received the Gospel of God’s grace directly by revelation. “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly” (Ephesians 3:2-3). This was no man-made doctrine, this was the message of Jesus Christ Himself. This message is what Paul had briefly and beautifully summarized just prior in this letter.
Paul continues: “In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 3:4-5). Once again Paul points us away from our own arbitrary and subjective experiences and points us to the Word of God as given thru the apostles and prophets. Peter and all the apostles did the same: “I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles” (2 Peter 3:2). God’s Spirit spoke thru these chosen men, making known the grace of God which was to come and which had now come in the incarnation, suffering, death, and resurrection of God’s Son. Even though men did not fully understand in ages past, the prophets of old did indeed speak very clearly of Christ to come: “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven” (1 Peter 1:10-12). Therefore the men of the Old Testament did indeed share in our one faith, their faith being different only in that it was a faith in the promise to come, in the promise to be fulfilled in the coming Messiah. Their prophecies (along with their faiths) were the direct work of the Holy Spirit and therefore are a true light and beacon of truth shining in the darkness of this world. “We have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:19-21). Now that we live in the wake of the fulfilled promise our faith is in the revealed completion of what Jesus Christ has done on our behalf, yet at the same time we must continue to hold firm to the testimony of the prophets (who spoke for our sakes) combining them with the testimony of the apostles of Christ. To toss either of these testimonies out is to do so to our destruction. “Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15-16). Therefore the faith of the prophets (those before the fulfillment) and the apostles (those after the fulfillment) is one and the same: faith in the Word, grace, and promise of the one living God in Jesus Christ. In light of this Paul once again summarizes the Good News for the Gentiles to which the prophets pointed forward and to which the apostles are now pointing backward: “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:6). As Gentiles we were once outsiders, but because of Jesus Christ crucified we have been made one with the descendants of Abraham and share with them in the inheritance of God’s promise.
Paul continues on to speak of his calling. “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power” (Ephesians 3:7). As always Paul gives all (all!) credit, glory, and honor to God alone. False apostles do not give all credit to God but they instead look for their own honor, glory, and power, clinging (either blatantly or sneakily) to their own strengths, abilities, willing, choices, and decisions. Paul however is very clear that he received the Gospel and became its servant not thru any of his own merit, power, willing, or choice, but that God alone chose him and molded him into His servant and messenger by His power. In genuine humility Paul goes even further: “Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things” (Ephesians 3:8-9). This is not feigned humility by Paul; this is genuine recognition of the truth: he was less than the least of all God’s people and had no merit, goodness, or redeeming quality of his own; he was indeed the worst sinner. “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15). Paul truly understood that any proper recognition of sin and our fallen state leads one to the correct conclusion that we are the worst sinner and that we are less than the least and lowliest person in the entire world. We need to imagine our idea of the least, lowliest, most reprehensible, and most despicable person in the world and then realize that we are even lower than that! We have no merit or goodness to which we can measure up against anyone. This is not hyperbole or empty lip-service; this is reality, the absolute truth of God. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: “There can be no genuine acknowledgement of sin that does not lead to this extremity. If my sinfulness appears to me to be in anyway smaller or less detestable in comparison with the sins of others, I am still not recognizing my sinfulness at all. My sin is of necessity the worst, the most grievous, the most reprehensible.” If we do not understand this point of Paul, that we are the worst sinner, then we truly do not understand what sin is at all and the problem and enmity that it is toward God Almighty. Sin is by definition a complete rebellion against and rejection of God; to say or think that our sin is somehow “less” than another’s is to set ourselves up as judge and to ultimately deny our sinfulness and rejection of God. Thomas Kempis wisely said, “Never think that you have made any progress till you look upon yourself as inferior to all.”
This truth of Paul’s condition (and ours!) apart from Jesus Christ is very important for establishing that it is God who calls, and God who saves. “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:10-11). Thru the humility, weakness, and brokenness of the Church God desires to let His “foolish” wisdom be made known to all men. “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:16). God chose such a weak and sinning vessel as Paul (and ourselves) in order to display and illustrate His unlimited patience and grace. God uses the lowly and horrible, transforming them by His grace, so that men might see that the Gospel is about “the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were” (Romans 4:17). The Good News is the proclamation of the welcoming arms of a merciful and gracious Lord who not only allows us to come to Him just as we are but actually seeks us out and brings us to life because of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross. It is important for us to note that Paul doesn’t refer to what God “hopes to accomplish in Christ Jesus” but that he very plainly refers to what God “accomplished in Christ Jesus.” The past tense and finished nature of God’s work in Christ Jesus is absolutely essential. Christianity is not about what we need to do to be saved, it is about what God has already done and accomplished for us in Jesus Christ. It is for this reason alone that “in him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (Ephesians 3:12). Apart from Christ Jesus we had no access to God because we were heathen sinners who despised and sinned against Him with every breath we took; but now that we live in the accomplished work of Jesus Christ we can confidently and freely approach God the Father. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Therefore Paul desires for the Ephesians not to be discouraged because of his suffering for the Gentiles, the Gospel, and Jesus Christ: “I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory” (Ephesians 3:13). Because our hope is not in this life or in any outward “success” on this earth but is instead in the accomplished work of Jesus Christ, we indeed have no reason to be discouraged. In Jesus Christ God Himself has gone before us and walks with us, guiding, leading, and carrying us thru the perils and trials of this life, taking away all our fear and discouragement. “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Having fully explained his purpose and calling Paul continues on by praying one of the most beautiful prayers in the entire Scriptures. The genuine concern and love that flows from this prayer is unmatched, it is the passionate cries of an aching soul to God our Father.
Paul begins his prayer: “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Ephesians 3:14-15). In his helplessness of being in prison, unable to do anything on his own for those to whom he was sent to preach (the souls which have been entrusted in his care), Paul cries out to God; resorting to his only true hope in life Paul falls on his knees to cry out to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is not only Jesus’ Father but He is also our Father and the Father of all who are believers in Jesus Christ. Under Him we all form one great joyful family, and thru and from His great Name we find our own purpose and identity.
Paul continues: “In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 3:4-5). Once again Paul points us away from our own arbitrary and subjective experiences and points us to the Word of God as given thru the apostles and prophets. Peter and all the apostles did the same: “I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles” (2 Peter 3:2). God’s Spirit spoke thru these chosen men, making known the grace of God which was to come and which had now come in the incarnation, suffering, death, and resurrection of God’s Son. Even though men did not fully understand in ages past, the prophets of old did indeed speak very clearly of Christ to come: “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven” (1 Peter 1:10-12). Therefore the men of the Old Testament did indeed share in our one faith, their faith being different only in that it was a faith in the promise to come, in the promise to be fulfilled in the coming Messiah. Their prophecies (along with their faiths) were the direct work of the Holy Spirit and therefore are a true light and beacon of truth shining in the darkness of this world. “We have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:19-21). Now that we live in the wake of the fulfilled promise our faith is in the revealed completion of what Jesus Christ has done on our behalf, yet at the same time we must continue to hold firm to the testimony of the prophets (who spoke for our sakes) combining them with the testimony of the apostles of Christ. To toss either of these testimonies out is to do so to our destruction. “Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15-16). Therefore the faith of the prophets (those before the fulfillment) and the apostles (those after the fulfillment) is one and the same: faith in the Word, grace, and promise of the one living God in Jesus Christ. In light of this Paul once again summarizes the Good News for the Gentiles to which the prophets pointed forward and to which the apostles are now pointing backward: “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:6). As Gentiles we were once outsiders, but because of Jesus Christ crucified we have been made one with the descendants of Abraham and share with them in the inheritance of God’s promise.
Paul continues on to speak of his calling. “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power” (Ephesians 3:7). As always Paul gives all (all!) credit, glory, and honor to God alone. False apostles do not give all credit to God but they instead look for their own honor, glory, and power, clinging (either blatantly or sneakily) to their own strengths, abilities, willing, choices, and decisions. Paul however is very clear that he received the Gospel and became its servant not thru any of his own merit, power, willing, or choice, but that God alone chose him and molded him into His servant and messenger by His power. In genuine humility Paul goes even further: “Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things” (Ephesians 3:8-9). This is not feigned humility by Paul; this is genuine recognition of the truth: he was less than the least of all God’s people and had no merit, goodness, or redeeming quality of his own; he was indeed the worst sinner. “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15). Paul truly understood that any proper recognition of sin and our fallen state leads one to the correct conclusion that we are the worst sinner and that we are less than the least and lowliest person in the entire world. We need to imagine our idea of the least, lowliest, most reprehensible, and most despicable person in the world and then realize that we are even lower than that! We have no merit or goodness to which we can measure up against anyone. This is not hyperbole or empty lip-service; this is reality, the absolute truth of God. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: “There can be no genuine acknowledgement of sin that does not lead to this extremity. If my sinfulness appears to me to be in anyway smaller or less detestable in comparison with the sins of others, I am still not recognizing my sinfulness at all. My sin is of necessity the worst, the most grievous, the most reprehensible.” If we do not understand this point of Paul, that we are the worst sinner, then we truly do not understand what sin is at all and the problem and enmity that it is toward God Almighty. Sin is by definition a complete rebellion against and rejection of God; to say or think that our sin is somehow “less” than another’s is to set ourselves up as judge and to ultimately deny our sinfulness and rejection of God. Thomas Kempis wisely said, “Never think that you have made any progress till you look upon yourself as inferior to all.”
This truth of Paul’s condition (and ours!) apart from Jesus Christ is very important for establishing that it is God who calls, and God who saves. “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:10-11). Thru the humility, weakness, and brokenness of the Church God desires to let His “foolish” wisdom be made known to all men. “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:16). God chose such a weak and sinning vessel as Paul (and ourselves) in order to display and illustrate His unlimited patience and grace. God uses the lowly and horrible, transforming them by His grace, so that men might see that the Gospel is about “the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were” (Romans 4:17). The Good News is the proclamation of the welcoming arms of a merciful and gracious Lord who not only allows us to come to Him just as we are but actually seeks us out and brings us to life because of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross. It is important for us to note that Paul doesn’t refer to what God “hopes to accomplish in Christ Jesus” but that he very plainly refers to what God “accomplished in Christ Jesus.” The past tense and finished nature of God’s work in Christ Jesus is absolutely essential. Christianity is not about what we need to do to be saved, it is about what God has already done and accomplished for us in Jesus Christ. It is for this reason alone that “in him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (Ephesians 3:12). Apart from Christ Jesus we had no access to God because we were heathen sinners who despised and sinned against Him with every breath we took; but now that we live in the accomplished work of Jesus Christ we can confidently and freely approach God the Father. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Therefore Paul desires for the Ephesians not to be discouraged because of his suffering for the Gentiles, the Gospel, and Jesus Christ: “I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory” (Ephesians 3:13). Because our hope is not in this life or in any outward “success” on this earth but is instead in the accomplished work of Jesus Christ, we indeed have no reason to be discouraged. In Jesus Christ God Himself has gone before us and walks with us, guiding, leading, and carrying us thru the perils and trials of this life, taking away all our fear and discouragement. “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Having fully explained his purpose and calling Paul continues on by praying one of the most beautiful prayers in the entire Scriptures. The genuine concern and love that flows from this prayer is unmatched, it is the passionate cries of an aching soul to God our Father.
Paul begins his prayer: “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Ephesians 3:14-15). In his helplessness of being in prison, unable to do anything on his own for those to whom he was sent to preach (the souls which have been entrusted in his care), Paul cries out to God; resorting to his only true hope in life Paul falls on his knees to cry out to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is not only Jesus’ Father but He is also our Father and the Father of all who are believers in Jesus Christ. Under Him we all form one great joyful family, and thru and from His great Name we find our own purpose and identity.
Paul continues by laying his petition before God our Father: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:16-17). Following his own words and example Paul prays for the spiritual wellbeing of those in his care. Paul prays not that they will be rich in a worldly way in this life or even outwardly strong, but he prays that thru God’s Spirit their faith and inner being will be strengthened. We must note that Paul doesn’t ask the Ephesians to strengthen their own faith, but he asks God to strengthen them thru His Spirit. Paul knows that man is impotent to save himself or even believe upon Christ, therefore he passionately petitions God to send His Spirit who alone can create and foster a true faith in Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews understood this as well: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Everything in our life is dependent upon God, and our faith is no different. He is the “author and perfecter of our faith” meaning that He both begins and creates our faith and also sustains it and brings it to completion. Therefore Paul is praying for this daily strengthening and sustenance of our faith that only the Holy Spirit can provide. If our faith is not sustained then we have lost Christ and forsaken the forgiveness of sins. If we rely on our strength, our own ability to choose or believe, then we will be rejecting the strength, work, and victory that are already ours in Jesus Christ: “You have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength” (Hosea 10:13). Therefore we need Christ to live in us, abide in us, work in us, and grow in us day after day, and this is only possible thru the humble gift of faith that the Spirit works in our hearts thru the powerful Word of God Almighty.
Paul continues his prayer: “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19). In this beautiful section Paul begins by reinforcing the fact that love is the proof, test, and fruit of faith. “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6). From a true faith worked by the Spirit love will flow as a simple matter of course, and as our faith grows so also will the firm hold of love in our life take root in the Vine of Jesus Christ. “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit” (John 15:4-5). Therefore Paul’s prayer is that the Ephesians may be rooted and established in love, in Christ Jesus Himself, so that thru this they will come to know how wide, long, high, and deep the love of Christ Jesus truly is. His love is an incomprehensible, indescribable, immeasurable love, a love that moves mountains, topples towers, overcomes the hardest hearts, and builds and sustains the Church. “Great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave” (Psalm 86:13). “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:10-13). This love of God in Jesus Christ can reach even the most remote locations, gathering God’s children from the darkest recesses of the world. “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west” (Isaiah 43:4-5). No human thought, reason, intelligence, or wisdom has the capacity to grasp this love and its ability and miraculous power to overcome and seek out lost sinners. “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave—what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea” (Job 11:7-9). This love of Christ is so wide and deep that we can never get away from it; God’s presence thru it knows no bounds. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:7-10). Therefore Paul is eager to rely not on himself, his own preaching, or even the ability of his hearers, but he looks to rely solely on God’s power and love that is given thru the Cross of Jesus Christ. There is no glory in us, but all glory comes from God alone who has loved us and been faithful to us for the sake of His Son’s work on our behalf. “Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness” (Psalm 115:1).
Paul continues on to conclude his prayer: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21). In this doxology Paul poignantly hits on the depth and reality of God’s working for our ultimate good. In the Scriptures we have the promise of God to work all things for our ultimate good: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). This promise is taken on faith since our ultimate good will not be what we expect and it may not even look like “good” to us at all. Because God’s ways are so far beyond us, “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9), we need to realize that things will not always “make sense” or look like they belong to a “good plan” in this life. In light of this, if we always got what we explicitly asked for from God that would be a truly frightening thing. In fact one of the greatest things God does for us is to not give us all that we ask for and desire. The old gypsy curse “may you get what you want” or “may you get what you ask for” is very insightful on this point. Because we are so nearsighted, instant-gratification oriented, and lacking in perspective it is a very dangerous thing for us to get what we desire. Therefore God in His unlimited goodness and wisdom doesn’t just give us what we ask, but takes what we ask and fulfills it in a way that is truly the most beneficial for us. Even though our requests and petitions are lacking and inadequate God’s Spirit is faithfully interceding for us so that our ultimate good may come to fruition. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will” (Romans 8:26-27). This does not mean that God is ignoring our personal petitions (if we ask for things in accordance with Christ’s will we certainly will get what we ask for since it is truly what God knows is best) but it simply means that God the Father truly “knows best” and is looking out for us even when we don’t like the immediate outcome. Therefore Paul praises God for being a God who is able to (and does do!) far more than we can possibly ask or imagine. His power is truly alive and at work for our good for the sake of Jesus Christ crucified. While our sinful flesh is clamoring for things that will bring us death, God is busy looking out for us and drawing us out of the deep waters of our depraved helplessness. “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me” (Psalm 18:16-17). Let us pray that we see that God’s love for us in Jesus Christ crucified is beyond compare and beyond all comprehension, graciously appreciating how He continually showers righteousness and salvation upon us despite our weaknesses and failings. “You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it” (Isaiah 45:8). Because of this His love for us thru Jesus Christ is in fact better than life itself: “Your love is better than life” (Psalm 63:3).
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