Ephesians 1 - (10th Meditation) - "The End of God's Saving Purposes"

Our last meditation on Ephesians 1:1-14 sought to worship God by seeing the ground for which He set His saving purposes on His people. This meditation will seek to lovingly and worshipfully embrace His goal for saving us.

Ephesians chapter one is untouchable. A great deal of the chapter is given to what is known as the mysterious work of God in salvation. In other words, Ephesians one discusses the aspect of our salvation that we have absolutely nothing to do with - that which occurred in eternity past!

As we've considered (8th Meditation), God was motivated by love to predestine us to adoption as sons (v.5). There is nothing unloving about predestination - it is the work of God wrought in love!

We also considered that there were several ground reasons, or motives (9th Meditation), that God was moved to lovingly predestine us. Yes, something preceded even our being predestined (v.5) and chosen (v. 4).

That "something" was, as Paul said; "the kind intention of God's will" (v. 5), "the riches of God's grace" (v. 7), "God's kind intention which He purposed in Christ" (v. 9), "God's purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will" (v. 11).

BUT WHY? WHAT IS GOD'S CHIEF END, OR PRIMARY GOAL, IN OUR SALVATION? WHERE IS IT ALL HEADING?

I'm glad you asked! Paul uses five statements between verses 4-14 that clearly answer our question. Apostle Paul, take it away...

That we would be holy and blameless before Him (v. 4) (See also, 7th Meditation).

.

That we will eternally praise the glory of His grace (v. 5).

That all things will be summed up in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth(v. 10).

To the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory(v. 12).

That the Pledge of our inheritance that was given to us (THE HOLY SPIRIT!) will result in our being redeemed as God's own possession, to the praise of His glory!(v. 14).