Wednesday – September 7, 2016
Greetings and welcome back to The Three Minute Word an illuminating study of the Word of God.
Ephesians 1:6-8 (KJV)
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
O what a God we serve, Who redeemed us with His own precious Blood, forgiving our sins “according to the riches of his grace;” The word ‘riches’ here can mean physical wealth, wealth of all kinds however the root word translated ‘riches’ in English from the Greek means to fulfill, accomplish, or furnish. With this information let’s look at the context of our verse. We discussed in Ephesians 1:6 how the word ‘grace’ could simply mean the graciousness of God, an attitude of God if you will, however this word ‘grace’ frequently translated as ‘favor’ is actually the person of the Holy Spirit. We can be guilty of looking at what resulted from the workings of the Holy Spirit forgetting there is the person of the Holy Spirit causing the thing to happen. In Ephesians 1:7 the word ‘grace’ is referring to the Holy Spirit. It could be loosely interpreted as; ‘according to the accomplishment of His Holy Spirit’. Jesus accomplished all that He accomplished with the help of the Holy Spirit, just as we are to accomplish all things with the help of the Holy Spirit. Meditate the following passage.
Hebrews 9:13-14 (KJV)
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Now let’s look back at our text from Ephesians chapter one.
Ephesians 1:8 (KJV)
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
The ‘he’ in our text above is God the Father (see verse three and four). God the Father has already abounded (provided for us to flourish, prosper, proliferate, overflow, have plenty, and have abundance) toward us before the foundation of the world. When a person abounds in something there is the picture or idea of the thing overflowing. When God applied His wisdom and prudence toward us it was in overflow mode, it wasn’t just a dab would do us mindset. He in effect said ‘I am releasing way more then will be needed because I want my family back no questions asked’. He applied “all wisdom” which at its root means clarity (clear eyed). God wanted it to be very clear what was going on, His family was being redeemed and the devil would have no defense or legal accusation. The Father also abounded toward us in all prudence. Prudence is a full exercise of the mind with all intellectual and moral insight. Remember we are talking about the Father exercising His mind with all intellectual and moral insight. What do you suppose the margin for error would be in this case? Zippo Zero! Okay let’s move onto the next verse.
Ephesians 1:9 (KJV)
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
A mystery is something unknown generally but may be known to a specific group or person. The mystery of His will was initially known only to Elohim from the foundation of the world. He then started to unfold the mystery to men (people) of God who would speak His Word into the earth starting in the Garden. The mystery was uncovered for those who worshipped God. The word mystery means to be unknown, unidentified, secret, clandestine, enigmatic, covert, cryptic, or obscure. God wants us in the Kingdom to be well versed in what is a mystery to others. For example General Motors wants their secrets or mysteries to be known to those in General Motors but not to those at Ford Motor. However, if a person at Ford Motors wants to join or be in General Motors they can and the mysteries of General Motors are open to them.
Mark 4:9-12 (KJV)
9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Jesus is not saying that the people outside the Kingdom of God are being prevented from understanding the mystery of the Kingdom of God, however they don’t have the key, the Facilitator, the Holy Spirit. However (lest) if at any time a person outside the kingdom chooses to believe and change their mind, their sin will be forgiven then they will be given understanding facilitated by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:7-10 (KJV)
7 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.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
