#hiswillnotours

Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times 

The word dispensation shows up 4 times in the Bible; all of them being in Paul’s epistles.  In the verse above, Paul is speaking of a time period that is yet to be. This will occur when ‘the fulness of times’ is instituted.  The fullness of times is when all things are brought together in Christ, and when the last enemy, death, is finally and permanently defeated. (Eph 1:22-23)

…he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: What things?  Besides Israel (people and things pertaining to the earth, prophecy and the kingdom program) and the Body of Christ (people and things pertaining to heaven, the mystery, and the church) Paul lists a number of other things in Col 1:16 that will be brought together in Christ in the fullness of times.  This is where the two-fold plan of God is finally recognized and complete!  

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven.

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, This is a big deal because we, being Gentiles, were never promised an inheritance like Israel was, but since we have been adopted as sons and are IN CHRIST (Eph 1:5), we now have an inheritance that has been predestinated, according to the purpose of God’s will, to the glory of his grace.  What do we receive in this inheritance?  Christ in you, the hope of glory, the unsearchable riches of Christ, and the hope of his calling, to name a few! Col 1:27, Eph 3:6-8, Eph 1:18 

There are at least 9 different things listed in Ephesians chapter 1 that are included in our inheritance:

1:3-6 – We are chosen in him, adopted as sons, and accepted in Christ.

1:7-12 – We are redeemed by his blood, he abounds toward us, and gives us an inheritance.

1:13-14 – He reveals to us the mystery, seals us by the Holy Spirit and is our earnest of this inheritance.

…being predestinated This is not the preselection of people being saved or condemned as Calvin taught, but a predetermination of our destination to be In Christ!  Our destiny lies in God’s purpose to bring glory to himself by gathering all things together in Christ.

Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us

Abound – to have or possess in great quantity.  Where does this abounding happen?  According to verse 7, in the riches of his grace towards us!  Abounding is not only sufficient but immeasurable.  Rom 5:20 says: “...But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”  God abounds in grace and always gives over and above what we could ever ask or think.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (2 Cor 9:8)

…in all wisdom and prudence;

The world doesn’t know this kind of wisdom, (1 Cor 1:21,25). This wisdom is God’s purpose and plan to save all of humanity through Christ.

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord – Eph 3:10-11

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory – 1 Cor 2:7-8

Prudence is the practical wisdom of doing what God has revealed in his word now that we know and understand what his will is.  We’ll learn more about that in chapters 4-6 of Ephesians.

Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:   His will is no longer a mystery!  If you think it is and insist on “trying to figure it out” read this verse over and over until you believe it!  If you catch yourself or someone else saying, “God works in mysterious ways,” you might want to remind yourself or them that his will was made known by the revelation of the mystery given to Paul, (Rom 16:25-26).  The manifold wisdom of God is revealed to us through his word!

Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Eph 5:17)

If you’re not sure, do a word search on ‘God’s will’ in the Pauline Epistles.  Read every occurrence and by the time you come to the end of over 100 times, you’ll have a nice list of what God’s will is and what he’s doing during this dispensation of the age of his grace. As an example, thankfulness comes from a gratitude of what’s been given to you.  When you appreciate what you have received freely you become more thankful…which is his will for our lives, (1 Thess 5:18).