The Bible on Church, Ephesians 3

My last paper has been turned in for class, a stressful week is over, and I'm finally getting back to this blog.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3.20-21

The message that we see here is one that comes as no surprise, the Church is to give glory to God. That is the ultimate purpose of the Church. If we look at Philippians 2.11 we see that giving glory to the Father is what Jesus does as every knee bows and every tongue confesses that He is Lord. The Church is to become like Christ, and that entails giving glory to the Father.

Why must God be given glory? Because He is worthy of it. We are told that He is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think by His power that is working within us. We cannot begin to grasp the full power and greatness of God, our finite human minds cannot take it all in. Just the work He has done already is more praise worthy than we can offer, and He is able to do far more than than.

The events we remember this week, Good Friday and Easter, and the relationship they opened to us. The gift of life, both now and eternal. The beauty of creation. And what about how God has provided? Some have received healing, others have found comfort, and still others have found help. God is worthy of glory.

If the Church fails to give glory to God, then the Church fails at it's primary mission. If the Church does not give glory to God, then why does it even exist? If we fail to do this, we fail at everything because it is only in this one thing that everything else is accomplished.

And the more we glorify God, the more He will give us a reason to. The more praise we offer to Him the more praise worthy He will reveal Himself to be. The more grateful we are to Him for what He has done, the more generous He will be. This is not the prosperity Gospel. I am not proclaiming a message of "God will make all your problems go away if you follow Him." My wife and I are currently experiencing things we wish would just disappear, but they aren't. Following God has not solved all of our problems, but God has provided for our needs, and He will continue to provide in ways that are more abundant than we could ask or think.

So with this, don't limit God by what you ask Him for, and don't limit the praise you give Him for what He has already done. The Church's primary objective is to give glory to God.

"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you