My dear readers,

(Extracts from RPG Workbook Vol II No. 7 June 12 – July 9 1983, edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST (EPHESIANS 3:1-12; ROMANS 11:25-36)

Paul was thrilled at God’s plan of salvation which included Jews and Gentiles (3:6). Both were to be fellow-heirs, fellow-members of the same Body and fellow-partakers of the promises in the Gospel of Christ. This glorious truth was in other ages concealed, “hid in God” (3:9), but now revealed (3:5).

Paul was humbled that he was now made a minister by God’s grace (3:7) and through God’s power (3:7) to preach the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles, whereas Peter was an apostle to the Jews (Gal 2:7-8). Did not our Lord say he was to be a chosen vessel (Acts 9:15)?

Paul was so overwhelmed by God’s grace upon him that he humbly considered himself less than the least of all saints. Quite a contrast indeed for this proud Pharisee who once esteemed himself a “Hebrew of the Hebrews,” etc (Phil 3:5-6). Paul’s transformation had begun right after his conversion when he changed his name from Saul (probably after the first king of Israel) to Paul, meaning “little.”

As his concept and experience of God’s grace deepened, he referred to the Gospel as the “unsearchable riches of Christ.” The Gospel of Christ is for Jew and Gentile alike, for Easterner and Westerner, for every race and nation, for the religiously scrupulous as well as for those once considered the enemies of God. God did not just dispense something called salvation for the time being. He gives continuing grace in Christ to Jews and Gentiles, till we get to Heaven. No wonder the riches are “unsearchable… past finding out” (Rom 11:33).

Paul therefore gladly gave himself to God to proclaim the Gospel as a prisoner (3:1) as an apostle (1:1) and as a servant (bond slave) of the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 1:1).

THOUGHT: The more Paul ministered the Gospel, the more unworthy he felt.
PRAYER: Lord, forgive my pride. I am unworthy of Thy love.

2. ROOTED AND GROUNDED (EPHESIANS 3:11-21; COLOSSIANS 2:1-7)

God confidently announced His plan regarding the church to the “principalities and powers in heavenly places” (3:10). Who can thwart the eternal purpose of the Eternal God (3:11)? Paul prays for enablement (3:16-19):

1. that the Ephesian saints be strengthened by the Holy Spirit (3:16),
2. that Christ may dwell in them by faith (3:17),
3. that they be rooted and grounded in love,
4. that they be able to understand the four-dimensional love of Christ,
5. that they might be filled with the fullness of God.

And wherein are the resources? “According to the riches of his glory” (3:16, Phil 4:19).

The Christian is compared agriculturally to a plant with roots firmly embedded in the soil (the love of Jesus), and architecturally to a house established with foundations resting upon the bedrock of the love of Jesus. What then can you expect from such a life? The love of Christ will no doubt exude from every aspect of that life.

Finally, Paul’s doxology:

1. God is able to do all that we ask.
2. God is able to do above (beyond) all that we ask.
3. God is able to do exceeding abundantly (or super abundantly) above all that we ask.
4. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.

God is able to answer not only the prayer of our mouths but also of our hearts and beyond. Truly God deserves all the glory in the church to the end of the ages.

THOUGHT: Do I demonstrate by my life that I am rooted and grounded in the love of Christ? Or am I rootless and toppled over?
PRAYER: Help me to tap Thy limitless resources. Forgive me, Lord, when I belittled Thee by my unbelief.

3. WALK WORTHY OF YOUR VOCATION (EPHESIANS 4; EPHESIANS 5-6)

We now pass from the doctrinal section (chapters 1 to 3) to the practical section (chapters 4 to 6) of the Epistle to the Ephesians.

To many, a vocation means a job or career. Here, Paul speaks of the divine call unto sonship in Christ and the practical outworking of that heavenly calling. This is far more important than any job.

God wants the believer to be guided by God-given men to grow in unity with other believers unto spiritual maturity, which is measured by likeness to the Lord Jesus Christ (4:13). The believer is to be “fitly joined” (4:16) into the Body of Christ so that it can function well, “edifying of (building up) itself in love” (4:16).

The believer must not walk like other Gentiles (4:17), but put off the old man or old manner of life (4:22), be renewed in his mind and put on the new man which is created after God (4:24) and be transformed in his attitudes, words, actions and reactions. He is to walk in newness of life, in love (5:2), in the light (5:8), and in the Lord’s will (5:17). He is to be filled with the Holy Spirit (5:18), which filling will affect his speech, his musical tastes and his character.

The Christian’s beliefs will affect his lifestyle, whether as husband or wife, as parent or child, as slave or master, as employer or employee. All of the Christian’s life is now to be under the Lordship of Christ (5:22; 6:1, 4, 7-9).

Finally, the believer is to put on the whole armour of God (6:11), because he wrestles not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high places (i.e. Satanic forces). But, praise the Lord, through God’s grace he will not only withstand the Enemy but will stand steadfastly, even as Paul did (6:13).

THOUGHT: The true Christian will experience changes in his character and conduct. He will also face spiritual conflicts.
PRAYER: Lord, grant me Thy grace to be steadfast in my faith.

God bless you dear readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Founding Pastor