April 20, 2008
I love King Arther movies. Might is right and chivalry is a way of life. The men are strong and the women and children are always protected. There is love, there is romance and it never rains in Camelot! Wait a minute, let's get real. I love the Book of Ephesians!
In our world, might is usually against us and chivalry, often unheard of. Women and children are not always protected and boy does it ever rain! Yet the Book of Ephesians gives us strength, power, chivalry, love and romance all in one tiny package. The key word: In Christ.
For some time now, I have been studying Ephesians trying to unlock the key to the power promised within and understand the mystery of God's will. I really need that gift of power, and I honestly believe that this verse sums it all up:
Eph 1:9-10 And He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment - to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, in Christ.
I am convinced that when this "bringing all things together..." occurs, we will have the power to free the oppressed, heal the sick and make the lame walk again. BUT, what does it mean and how do I get it? Again, the key word: In Christ.
"the mystery of his will...which he purposed in Christ..." Christ has already done it. How? John 17:21 "...Father, just as you are in me and I am in you..."
Now it's getting tricky, right? God in Christ, Christ in God, Us in Christ, under one head in Christ. What does this mean? I always feel led to draw circles when I study this. I've pictured Christ in God and God in Christ. I've drawn me in Christ and Christ in me. Then I CIRCLED back and put the two illustrations together (bringing all things together...)
This should be our focus as Christians. We must take our seat in Christ and allow him to live through us. We must let the "circles" within us that started as a mustard seed grow to the point that God's will comes out through our pores. We will be touching God and he will be touching us. We will be one.
It's what Jesus asked for:
John 17:20-23 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one; I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
The will of God purposed in us: an explosion of love, mercy, grace, wisdom, strength and healing in our lives.
Now THIS will change the world. How do I get in Christ? You can view a larger version of the illustrations here.
Visit us often and hear the good news. More importantly, visit your Bible often. When God speaks, good things happen! ("Light Be " ... and light was. Genesis 1:3)
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