Inform Your 'Faith'

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!