God’s Plan and Purpose: Reflections from Ephesus

By Dr. Brian Simmons

As I prepared my heart for our shore excursion to ancient Ephesus this morning with Celebrity Cruise Lines I read the Book of Ephesians. What is God’s plan and purpose? God’s plan is at the right time to bring everything together under the authority of Christ- everything in heaven and on earth (1:9-10). And His purpose is to bring praise and Glory to Himself (1:12)!

As Owner of all His plans are written in pen so my plans as His steward need to be subservient to His and therefore written in pencil as I daily yield my will to His. Only then, as a steward leader, can I move others onto His agenda.

God will work out all things according to His plan (1:11)! And, since God is rich in mercy and loves me so much, His will is always for His glory and my good (2:4). It is only by His grace that I am saved (2:8). And, as a follower of Christ I am to do the good things God planned for me to do (2:10). This brings meaning and purpose to my life. This is my life calling (4:1)!

And I must speak the truth in love (4:16), put off my old sinful nature and put on my new nature (4:21-2). If I do this, I will live a life full of love and kindness as I follow the example of Christ (5:1). I will make the most of every opportunity (5:16), and I will understand what the Lord wants me to do (5:17). This will impact my relationship with God, myself and others including my wife and family.

God revealed His plan to the Apostle Paul (3:3). And God’s plan for both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Gospel is that they share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. And, THAT is an inheritance because God owns everything and everyone (Psalm 24:1)!

God’s purpose in all of this was to use the church to display His wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was His eternal plan, which He carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord (3:10-11).

And what should my responses be to all of this good news? When I think of all of this I fall on my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious unlimited resources He will empower me with inner strength through His Spirit… and that I may understand how wide, high and deep His love is for me! Now all glory to God, who is able through His mightily power at work within us to accomplish infinitely more than we ask or think! (3:14 ff)

If I follow this biblical teaching from the Apostle Paul God will give me the words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Gospel is for Jews and Gentiles alike.

Now, living this way will not always be easy. Paul preached this Gospel in the 25,000-seat theatre in Ephesus and was opposed by Demetrius because Paul was a threat to His livelihood. Paul lived out and weighed the truth in Ephesus for two years! Paul’s teaching was in opposition to Artemis (Dianna) and the myths of the God’s embraces by the pagans. And it was the pagans who lived in the terraced houses in the lap of luxury as they took bribes and kickbacks for all who did business in Ephesus. The most wealthy and powerful people in Ephesus were the pagan religious leaders who embraced the message that Paul preached against. We, too, will pay a price as we stand tall against the false teachings of our day! But is it worth it to live a life worthy of God’s call!