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“Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” (Ephesians 1:1a)

As I read the opening words of the Book of Ephesians, I’m struck by Paul’s desire to worship. He exalts God with praise and thankfulness, and from the very first verse acknowledges that he became an apostle “by the will of God.” It was an undeserved privilege granted to him before he even wanted it.  

Paul had not desired to become an apostle for a religion that was considered an offshoot of Judaism. He did not determine to use his education, his life experience, and his personal strengths to be an influential leader among the apostles and the Church. Yet that is what Paul was because God had set His will on him. This gracious work of God resulted in praise and adoration in the heart of the apostle, and I’m moved time and again as I see how Paul continually keeps his heart in check by turning to God in worship.

Maybe this is best evidenced by what you don’t read in Ephesians. Paul never exalts himself because of all of his sacrifices for Christ. Nor does he boast about how God used him to plant churches, save souls, or write Holy Scriptures. Certainly you don’t read anything about how God is using him more than the other apostles. The potential for pride in Paul was crucified under an awareness that God had determined to use him when he was neither deserving nor willing.

Or perhaps it is Paul’s veiled references to his imprisonment that best evidences his worship of Christ. Paul is driven to write of the Lord’s work rather than speak of his own suffering because he considered himself a prisoner of the Lord, not the Romans (Eph. 3:1; 4:1). When he finally mentions his circumstances at the close of the book, it is to demonstrate that even while in chains, his focus is on his desire to preach the gospel as an ambassador of Christ (Eph. 6:20-22). The apostle saw God's hand in all the circumstances of his life, and therefore he viewed his imprisonment as evidence of his loyalty to Christ rather than an injustice inflicted at the hands of godless men. Of course, Paul would have been right had he made such an accusation, but he would not have been worshipping. Instead, in the midst of his sufferings, Paul chooses to worship God by drawing attention to His work in salvation and to His blessings upon the Church. As a result, his present suffering was buried under a mountain of worshipful expectation that God would continually enrich the Church with His grace.

What we read in Ephesians is the work of an apostle who worships by getting himself out of the way. We see an apostle who publically exalts God and calls attention to the wonders of His dealings with the Church. I have to admit that I was heading into the book of Ephesians expecting to get caught up in the glories of the Church. What I am finding is that while God has richly benefitted the Church, it only adds to the grounds of our worship. I cannot over emphasize the sanctifying grace that comes through worshipping God. By this I mean not only worshipping through developing a right theological understanding of God, but also by bringing our lives in line with that theological understanding. Paul’s suffering at the hands of religious leaders and indifferent governmental authorities was lost in the reality that he was called to be an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.

How do you worship? Are you overwhelmed by the earthly, and unable to see God’s hand at work in your present circumstances? If so, you have gotten off course and are missing the spark which energizes every doctrinal truth that you know about God. You are missing a heart of worship. Now is the time to drop everything and reevaluate how you are living your life. Do you want to cultivate a heart that adores Christ? Then remember that suffering is mitigated by the balm of worship. 

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1 Comment

Amen ! The true worshiper is also a contented person in any environment because he bows to the sovereignty and wisdom of the Creator. Discontentment is going against God and blaming Him for not making you "happy". It's impossible to worship Him in spirit and truth if you are calling into question His actions in your life. Suffering only discovers to yourself what you really are.

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