Manifold wisdom. This is a unique phrase employed by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. A letter that acutely advances a robust doctrine of the church. Accordingly, for the apostle it is the church that makes known God's manifold wisdom. Manifold wisdom is a phrase that envisages the comprehensiveness of God's mysterious plan of reconciliation that he is continuing to work out. A conciliatory plan that involves uniting "all things in him (Christ), things in heaven and things on earth"(Eph.1:10).
The church not only serves to 'make known' this plan of conciliation she is the agency through which God is uniting all things in Christ. This cannot be overlooked or downplayed. We, the church, exist to make known God's plan of reconciliation and this necessarily makes known God's wisdom in bringing that plan of reconciliation about. These two are inextricably bound. What a role we as the church play in God's plan of uniting all things in Christ!
Now, we must realize that this involves more than theory or idea. Paul's understanding of the church making known God's wisdom as a reconciled 'household of God' is to be actualized or lived out as we, the church, have indeed been reconciled with God and one another as we are united in Christ.
Again, Paul understands that making known God's wisdom directly relates to God's plan of reconciliation in Christ. A plan, of course, involving man's reconciliation. This is why he proceeds to build upon or expand upon this assertion practically. In chapter 4 he emphasizes being 'one' (4:7) and being a body that is growing together as everyone who is apart of the church is ministering to one another (4:12,16) while maintaining a 'unity of faith' (4:13-14). After all we are all members of one household (2:13-22).
From here Paul continues - throughout 4:17-5:21- to remind the Ephesians of their new life in Christ. They are no longer the Gentiles who were separated from God due their sinful and depraved condition. The life they are to now live is a life that promotes their having been reconciled to God in contradistinction to their former lives that were alienated from God (4:18). They are also no longer to allow that divided existence, due to sinful practices, to fracture their oneness for 'we are members one of another' (4:25) Therefore, any behavior that breeds fracturing is to be done away with and jettisoned (4:25-32). This is why Paul concludes chapter 4 saying, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving on another, as God in Christ forgave you." (4:32).
Paul concludes with emphasis upon forgiving one another because of his overarching point. The salient point of chapter 3. We, as the church are to exist as one household. A household of reconciliation who comport ourselves in such a way that makes known the wisdom of God in His plan of unification. As the church we are to major in what advances unity and reconciliation. In so doing we make known the wisdom of God!
The devil on the other hand is involved in the deconstruction of the one church. His plan is to demolish and divide the one church. This is presupposed in Christ's assertion, 'I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail'. We find this happening throughout the life of the church in the N.T. Paul warns the elders at Ephesus about those who would attempt such tactics(Acts 20:26-31). Christ describes 'ministers' who "kill, steal and destroy' in relation to the church (John 10:7-13). Paul corrects the church her members are fracturing the church due to self serving preferences and traditions (Romans 14-15:7; I Cor.1:10-4).
Whenever these characteristics predominate the plan and wisdom of God is not made known. Instead, the plan and folly of the devil is being made known. This is precisely why Paul writes in Ephesians, where he is advancing making known God's wisdom, "give no opportunity to the devil" (4:27) while encouraging them to 'stand against the schemes of the devil" (6:11). This is also why Paul instructs the Ephesians to submit to one another(5:21). Contentiousness and refusal to submit are devilish qualities that divide and fracture. Even when it appears to be wisdom one is arguing (James 3:13-18). If that wisdom is breeding divisiveness and contentiousness it isn't God's wisdom being made known but demonic wisdom.
God's wisdom is made known where reconciliation abounds whereas the devils folly is made known where division and separation abounds. Again, as the church we are to major in what advances unity and reconciliation. In so doing we make known the wisdom of God!
At Sovereign Grace Church of Lagrange we are presently working through Paul's letter to the Ephesians. It has been a thoroughgoing delight. While Romans may very well be a more technical expansion of the mystery of salvation Ephesians represents a more pregnant understanding of the mystery in a more comprehensive treatment; albeit much more succinct. In Ephesians Paul clearly acknowledges his insight into this mystery,
"the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ." (Eph.3:3-4).
Paul is acutely aware of the 'mystery of Christ' (cf. 1 Cor.2:6-13). This mystery, as Paul unfolds according to the insight given him by the Spirit of God in Ephesians 2:11-4:16 and more directly in chapter 3, is that the church is central to 'the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things...' (Eph. 3:9; 1:7c-10). In other words the 'household of God' (Eph.3:19), or the church, is a mainstay or a central component to the 'mystery of Christ' that is now made known!
It is 'through the church' that 'the manifold wisdom of God' is made known (Eph.3:10) and through the church that God is glorified in Christ (Eph.3:21). The church is central to the mystery of Christ!! This is beyond cavil as Ephesians particularly espouses a HIGH VIEW of the church. After all, the church is what Christ is building...in fact. Shouldn't we then have a high view of the church considering it is what Christ is building while also recognizing Paul views suffering imprisonment 'positively' for the sake of the church (Eph. 3:1, 3:13)? And when Paul is speaking positively this way he is referring to the local church not the universal - though it certainly does extend to the church universal.
This last point - that Paul views his imprisonment positively - is worthy of note. Considering that after everything Paul had suffered as he stewarded the ministry of grace he was given for the church and to nevertheless busy himself emphasizing the churches centrality and indispensability only underscores how integral the church is to the mystery of the gospel. And how integral each individual Christian is to the church as contributing and functioning members as each has been given an aspect of grace (Eph.4:7)!
Again, Paul continued to serve the tangible/visible church to the point of imprisonment despite his challenges, disappointments, hurts and persecutions, not just from non-Christians but from Christians within the church. He didn't reject the church or withdrawal and he, beyond anyone else perhaps, had every reason to withdrawal.
Now, the challenges and hurts that Paul experienced are challenges and hurts that will be experienced throughout the history of the church until Christ's return. I know of many who have been devastated by the actions of a single minister or even by a most inauspicious and hurtful happening within the ranks of the church such as division and the like. Its a melancholy truth and perhaps an inevitable one. Inevitable not because we should embrace the eventuality of such things but because we need to be realistic about the ongoing role of lingering sin that we all are dying to daily.
This is precisely why we cannot withdrawal from the church though. Because when the sting of sin strikes the balm of grace is needed. A grace every member of the church is given by Christ!
Maybe you have become disillusioned about the church due to wounds and hurts. They are very real and fresh perhaps. They definitely shouldn't be disregarded or treated arbitrarily either in the name of the centrality of the church. I encourage you not to withdraw from the church. Now, you may need to withdraw from a particular local church but not the local church completely. There are many local churches with a culture of active grace exchange that can and will bring about the needed healing. Beyond that YOU have a measure of grace that the church needs. Allow the hurt/s to motivate and move you to realize that while you have been hurt and need the balm of grace so another within the church who has been hurt needs the balm of grace from you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
