… to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment …
Summary: Paul gives us a lot of information in the opening lines of his letter to the Ephesians. Unfortunately, we cannot ask Paul to clarify what he wrote in this life. (I will have questions for him when I see him in heaven!)
Paul writes a lot of interesting things. Already he has taunted us with the topic of “predestination” (verse 5). Now he suggests that the “times” have reached “fulfillment.” What in the world is he talking about?
The short answer is — we don’t know. At least I don’t know! But, it is lots of fun to guess!!
Let’s review what Paul has written so far:
1. God has blessed us in the heavenly realms (v3). 2. He chose us before creation (v3). 3. We were chosen to be “holy and blameless in his sight” (v4). 4. Our adoption into God’s family is through Jesus (v5). 5. In Christ, we have: a) redemption through Jesus’ blood, and b) forgiveness of sins (v7) 6. God has made known to us the “mystery of his will” (v9) 7. This will is “presented” or “set forth” or put on display in Christ (v9)
So all of this; our redemption, forgiveness, and adoption that was made possible through Jesus Christ was put into effect when “the times reach their fulfillment.”
Or, the “mystery of [God’s] will” will be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment.
Or maybe the times will reach their fulfillment, and “to be put into effect” means that the “mystery of his will” is starting to go into effect when Christ made known God’s plan.
The reason this get’s confusing is because the rest of the verse says that the “effect” of Christ’s coming is “to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”
So the question we have to ask ourselves is this: “Are all things in heaven and on earth in unity under Christ?”
Or maybe the question should be, “Have all things in heaven and on earth begun to move towards unity under Christ since Jesus was crucified and rose again?”
Reading Paul’s words makes me feel like a five-year-old in a room full of adults talking about important things. All these big words are floating over my head, and I’m on the floor thinking, “Huh?”
Like the topic of predestination, Paul’s view of Christ’s purpose on earth is based on his personal interactions with Jesus. He knows things I will never know, at least not in this life. So what can we know? What matters now?
There are three things in the list of what Paul said we can know now:
4. Our adoption into God’s family is through Jesus (v5). 5. In Christ, we have: a) redemption through Jesus’ blood, and b) forgiveness of sins (v7)
Everything else on the list can be debated. Not in the sense of whether it is true, but people can debate what it means and when it happens. What is not debatable is that we who believe are redeemed through Jesus’ blood, forgiven of our sins, and part of God’s family.
Application: Let’s focus on the stuff that we know for sure.
Food for Thought: How does focusing on the debatable topics impact our faith life, our unity as a church, and our relationship with God?
How does focusing on the debatable topics impact our faith life, our unity as a church, and our relationship with God?
Keeping in the context of the question: debatable topics and not talking about willfully living a life patterned in sin.
I believe focusing on debatable topics to the point of exclusion is counter to strong faith, unity as a church, and our relationship with God. By that I mean telling others that they have no hope goes against God’s Will. Going against God’s Will shakes your faith, the unity of the church, and our relationship with God. I don’t believe there is anything wrong with sharing your personal testimony, or how you have read scripture and what the Holy Spirit has laid upon your heart. Sharing can bolster our faith, the unity of the church, and our relationship with God, especially when we gather in His name. When you take your experience and use it to tell someone that they cannot have a meaningful and personal relationship with God, then it is detrimental. In the end, we are all sinners, all in need of Christ’s redemption, and all given the hope of eternal salvation and a personal relationship with Him.
Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
Thank you, Chris!
I appreciate the balanced way you approached the question today. Well done. ⭐
Good thoughts Chris.
Coming from a background that included a lot of debating such topics in seminary – I think it is fine to debate topics if the goal is to know truth and grow in relationship to God. But if this is happening it will also lead to respect and love for those who may not share our conversations, especially on secondary issues. In other words, the motive and spirit involved matters.
Well said, Rich!
The motive has to be love (agapé) and the spirit God’s Spirit! 🙂
02-16-2023, How does focusing on the debatable topics impact our faith life, our unity as a church, and our relationship with God?
We are born, raised as unique individuals and are being prepared for our unique ministry on earth in the power of God. There are times to speak, times to be silent and we have the Holy Spirit of God to remind us which is which. Our mission on earth is to be peace makers and focusing on debatable topics would distract me from all God has in mind for me.
Romans 12:4, For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,
Romans 12:6, Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly:
Thanks Ron!
I love the challenge of being a peacemaker!
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9)
“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:18)
How does focusing on the debatable topics impact our faith life, our unity as a church, and our relationship with God?
It helps us to build more WKU. As long as we understand the important aspects of what the requirements to be saved are. Then keeping that in mind when debating other topics with humility and understanding that nobody is perfect and Godis always right free will complicates everything, everyone is still learning and try to reflect/ lead others to Jesus.
If we never talk about debatable topics then each person would have a different (AKA not unified) opinion. Out would never be checked be anyone else’s wisdom.
On the other hand, of we hold too fast to an idea that is not core to salvation, it will result in division. So how do you do one of these without the other? How do you discuss and submit your ideas to God’s sifting instead of getting defensive?
It may be difficult, but no one ever said that iron sharpening iron would feel good.
Tim,
Thanks! You make a great point: Having our opinions checked by someone else might not feel good, but it is a GREAT opportunity to practice humility and brotherly love. Thank you!