The apostle Paul begins his inspired letter to the Ephesians by recounting some of the spiritual blessings that belong to those who follow Christ. In chapter 1, verses 7 through 10 he writes, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 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, even Christ.”
In verse 6 Paul had mentioned that God freely gives grace to the followers of Christ. In verse 7 he speaks of the riches of God’s grace. Grace can be defined as an undeserved gift. What is this valuable undeserved gift which Paul mentions? In verse 7 he tells us that it is redemption. But what does redemption mean? In this verse it is defined as “the forgiveness of sins.” But forgiveness is not something which God gives arbitrarily. Forgiveness is “in him.” This refers back to verse 6 in which Christ is called the Beloved. And this forgiveness which comes in Christ is not without cost. Paul reminds us that it is “through his blood” that we have it. Forgiveness is given by means of the blood of Christ, which he sacrificed on our behalf, and is for those in Christ, that is those who have accepted Christ as their Lord.
There are two other characteristics of the grace, or undeserved gift of redemption, which the followers of Christ enjoy which are mentioned in verse 9. One is that God has lavished it on us. This means that it is not given begrudgingly, nor are the followers of Christ forgiven for only a few sins. No, God’s gift is sufficient to cover every need for forgiveness. There is nothing that the blood of Christ is insufficient to pay for.
The second characteristic of God’s grace is that he has given it to us with “all wisdom and understanding.” This is an important point for the world either does not understand, or else mocks the idea, that Christ’s sacrifice of his life is necessary for the sins of mankind to be forgiven. In another place Paul has written, “…Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:20-25 NIV) Though from a human point of view God’s plan of redemption may look unnecessary or even foolish, who are we to pass judgment on God? Even if God’s method of redemption were foolish, the really foolish thing would be for us to reject it. For if we reject God’s gracious gift, then how will we find forgiveness for our sin?
God has not only lavished his grace on the followers of Christ, but in verse 9 Paul says that God has made “the mystery of his will” known to them. There are many people who do not know what God’s will is. They do not know if God has a plan and, if so, what their place in that plan might be. But God has revealed his will to the followers of Christ. Verse 10 tells us what that will is. It is “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.” It is God’s will that everything and every person, no matter what or who they might be, whether they are some spiritual being or live here on the earth, be under the lordship and authority of Christ. For the Christian this means more than merely acknowledging Jesus’ authority over us, but it also means becoming like him. Scripture says, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son…” (Romans 8:29 NIV) We are in God’s will to the extent that we are like Jesus. If we are not like Christ, then we have not yet fulfilled God’s will.
There is another aspect to God’s will. When we look about us we see that the world has been torn apart by sin. People are divided from one another by faction, hatred, jealousy, pride, nationalism and racism. Not only mankind, but all of creation has been affected by sin and is at war with itself. But this was not God’s intention. Paul clearly states that it is God’s will “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together.” It is only when people come together in Christ that there can be reconciliation and peace. As it says in another scripture, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20 NIV) Just as people are reconciled both to God and one another when they give themselves to Christ, all of creation will also find peace when all things are brought under him. In another place it is written, “For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:20-21 NIV) True peace, true freedom and true reconciliation can only be obtained in Christ.
But when will everything be brought under Christ? Though the follower of Christ experiences peace and reconciliation now, God’s will that everything come under Christ will come into full effect only “when the times will have reached their fulfillment.” What does the word “times” refer to? It refers to distinct eras of God’s revelation of his will. In the Patriarchal age, God chose to reveal his will directly to the heads of chosen families such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In the age of Law, God chose to reveal his will through a chosen nation, that is the nation of Israel, with the help of prophets like Moses and through the written Word. In the Christian age, God has revealed himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. When the Christian age draws to a close, Christ will come to earth again and all things, whether on earth or in heaven, will be brought under him.