God’s Purpose…In All Things

Eph 1:11,12 "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, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory."

 

Here is that predestination thing again.
That is not what is hitting me this time, though. Rather it is God's purpose that is making an impact. The word for counsel also means purpose. So, "according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the purpose of His will." The thing that is ringing in my ears is that God has a definite purpose and plan. Everything that is done throughout all of history is being done, is being worked out according to that plan. Nothing will stop it. Nothing will derail it. No stupid decision that I make, or that my wife makes, or that the President of the United States makes, or any other leader throughout all of time has made or will make will impact the purpose of God. He "...works all things according..." to his purpose.

I love this "all things" concept. This is an all encompassing God. I just read in verse three that He has blessed us with "...every spiritual blessing...". Every is a big deal word. "All things" is also a big deal word. Everything is being worked out based upon what God wants. This reminds me of Rom 8:28 "For we know that all things work together for
good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Amazing, there is that "all things" and "purpose" concept again. But that is God. He has "all things" under His control so that His ultimate purpose will prevail. And He invites us to be a part of it. Wild. "We have obtained an inheritance" "That we who first trusted in Christ". His purpose, His will, His desire is to be worked out through and for His people. No matter what we see going on around us, no matter what ugliness happens in the world, we can rely on the fact that all things are coming together according to God's plan, and we have part of it. The part? "To the praise of His glory." It seems like we have seen this before. Try verse 6 "To the praise of the glory of His grace."

God's ultimate purpose: His glory. Man's chief end: To glorify God. And when it is all said and done, God alone will be receiving the glory from all things because He is the One who planned it all.