Not All About Me!

As Paul began listing a number of the spiritual blessings that are ours in Christ, he drew attention to God's purpose in Christ, the Ephesians and their hope, and their eventual possession of the heritance in store for them. These blessings in Christ are for us as well. Following the mention of these realities, Paul made a similar statement three times to punctuate where our focus is to ultimately rest.

Note the following three verses.
"TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORIOUS GRACE, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." ( Ephesians 1:6 ESV)
"so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY." ( Ephesians 1:12 ESV)
"who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY." ( Ephesians 1:14 ESV)

With God's purpose of redemption planned before the foundation of the world, He had us in mind and we are greatly blessed. However, though it was for us it is still not all about us, but rather ABOUT HIM; "TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORIOUS GRACE." The eternal hope that is ours is also to be "TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY." And though we have a glorious inheritance to look forward too, that also is to be "TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY." None of it is to our praise, because we actually deserve none of it nor are we able to bring it about on our own. It is God Who is able to bring it all to fruition.

Though God's desire is for our salvation and His plan of redemption all seems to be about us -- and we should be greatly encouraged that He is completely mindful of our greatest needs and utmost interests -- it is all to draw attention to HIS OWN PRAISEWORTHINESS! As His whole creation praises Him by doing exactly what it was created to do (Read through Psalm 148) our highest aim as the workmanship of God created in His image is to do exactly what we were created to do. That is the greatest praise our life can lift to Him. While we thank God for every spiritual blessing He has brought us in Christ, let us focus to live our lives completely "TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY!" Making life all ABOUT HIM is the surrender that keeps us in the realm of the greatest victory we could ever experience.

Have a great day LIVING LIFE ALL ABOUT GOD!
Carl

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