Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 162

"According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him."

Text: Ephesians 3:11-12

APPRECIATING THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH AFRESH

Humanly speaking, we see the church at large as a weak and badly fragmented institution. Many churches appear to suffer from chronic spiritual illnesses. The ills of the Church may be cured if only there could be a full and complete return to the Scriptures.

ACCORDING TO THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD

Like ancient Israel, the church at large seems to have set aside God’s word. His plans that have been devised “according to (His) eternal purpose” have been substituted to man’s discredit. The words of Jeremiah come to mind.

For My people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,
And hewn for themselves cisterns-
broken cisterns that can hold no water.
JEREMIAH 2:13

Man-made laws are taught as God’s commandments. Traditions have replaced God’s word. The words Jesus spoke when He walked on earth still hold true today.

Why do you also transgress the commandment of God
because of your tradition?
These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honour Me with their lips
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
MATTHEW 15:3, 8-9

ACCOMPLISHED IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD

All that God meant the Church to be, have actually been accomplished in Christ Jesus and His redemption! This is the most amazing truth! We must stand awed and humbled by this thought. At the same time we should also feel greatly challenged in our hearts to pray that the Church may one day discover the glory that God has blessed it with!

BOLDNESS AND ACCESS WITH CONFIDENCE THROUGH FAITH

Through exercising faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we can feel a great sense of “boldness” when we approach God’s throne of grace. Yes, we may have complete “confidence” in this access to God. Let us be particularly and deeply encouraged by the following text from the Epistle to the Hebrews.

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for He who has promised is faithful.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up
love and good works.
HEBREWS 10:22-24