The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"The Eternal Purpose"
We presently live under the auspices, influence, and power of a vast conspiracy.
"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ, to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in Heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:8-11).
Yes, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit conspired (meant in the best possible sense) to fulfill "the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus" by which all things would originate and forever proceed. God created all things by His Son, He sustains all things by Him, and all things move toward His Lordship of creation under the authority of the Father (Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:17; Revelation 11:15; I Corinthians 15:28). Nothing has ever happened or ever will happen that does not ultimately serve the conspired purpose of the triune God, who "worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:11).
Interestingly, however, the Lord allows other conspiracies to exist. Fallen spiritual and human beings often unite to foolishly seek the overthrow of God and His determinations. As in Eden, devils and people come together for sordid and doomed purposes - "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2). Things happen that are not the will of God, again, devilish and human sins our Lord, according to His nature, does not and cannot originate. "God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man" (James 1:13). He nevertheless fulfills His ultimate purposes amid all, and is so wise, present, involved, and powerful that even the most heinous of lesser conspiracies will somehow serve the "Eternal Purpose." As Joseph said to the brothers who wickedly plotted his demise: "Ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good" (Genesis 50:20).
Regarding the "most heinous of lesser conspiracies," the cross of Calvary defines such evil. Conspiratorial "wicked hands" led the Lord Jesus Christ to His suffering and death. However, "the deteminate counsel and foreknowledge of God" also paved the Savior's path to Calvary (Acts 2:23). The enigma transcends our complete understanding, other than to realize the most salient of all truths regarding the matter: God's "conspiracy" transcended devilish and human conspiracies by an infinite measure and degree. Yes, let devils and humans devise and deliver the worst they can throw against God, torturing His Son to death. The result? "God raised Him from the dead… and hath given Him a Name which is above every name" (Acts 13:30; Philippians 2:9). Moreover, by the cross, God provides saving grace for all who receive the "free gift" made possible by the price our Savior paid in His sacrifice (Romans 5:15; Ephesians 1:14).
We live amid conspiracies of many kinds, both small or large, which presently bear much consequence. However, a greater Conspiracy ever directs the current of creation, promising a final outcome of the "eternal purpose" that will not and cannot fail to be fulfilled. The counsel of the triune God formed a purpose in the eternal recesses of His love, wisdom, grace, mercy, righteousness, holiness, and power against which no devilish or human devisings can ultimately stand. We do well to fix our gaze there, even as we deal with the challenges presently faced by plots doomed to fail, and which will ultimately serve to more reveal the glory of our God than if they had never been formed. His "eternal purpose" ensures this, the "Conspiracy" that will keep our hearts in peace as we remember and affirm that amid all devils and humans can wickedly devise, the earthly tomb is empty, the Heavenly throne above is occupied, and Jesus Christ is Lord.
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His Shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."
(Isaiah 9:6-7)
Weekly Memory Verse
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
(I Corinthians 12:12)
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