“Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to his power that works within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20,21).
Paul’s words here constitute “doxology”. from Greek doxa (“Glory, Honor”), a hymn is an expression of praise to God. Paul says, God will be glorified in all generations.
In Christ Jesus. The result of everything about Christ is the glory of God. On the evening before he died, Jesus prayed, “Father, the time has come; glorify your Son, that the Son may also glorify you” (John 17:1). So we can certainly pray that God may be glorified in Christ.
In the church. Because it concerns humans, this part of the passage is difficult for some to understand, and yet it is no less true. Christ’s work resulted in the fulfillment of the Father’s purposes People were saved from their sins. God is glorified by the very existence of these people. Even before their perfection in heaven, the saved “in Christ” are those whose salvation brings great glory to God.
Our prayer should be that God may be glorified “in the church and in Christ Jesus.” Yes, we need to resist sectarian, institutional, and “party” conceptions of the church, but we must not be so preoccupied with false doctrines that we fail to emphasize important truths that must be positively preached. I fear that some people cannot even hear the mention of a passage like Ephesians 3:21 without the listener being reminded of what it does No Meaning. But certainly, what this passage teaches is extremely important, and we should not hesitate to declare it. Glory be to God in Christ Jesus. And may he be glorified in the church, as Paul teaches us.
God chose that the glory of Christ would be closely linked to the glory of His people, people who have been saved from their sins by His own blood. These people – broken, fallen, but forgiven people, learning from their mistakes and growing in holiness – are the people who “incarnate” Christ and glorify God the Father. If you have followed the gospel of Christ, you are a part of Christ’s body, His Church. In your new relationship with God, you are not alone. You are part of those people, each of whom he glorified God for saving.
In Your Church, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.
In Your Church, Lord, be glorified today.
(Bob Kilpatrick)
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com AreYouaChristian.com
