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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Far too many people today believe living an obedient life in Christ is something we do for God, or have to do because of Him; rather than allowing Him to so thoroughly indwell us that what we do is a natural outgrowth of who – or whose – we are. The prayer Paul prayed for the Ephesian church used in part as the title for this article more fully saying, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Ephesians 3:16,17 Additional significance found in a fuller understanding of the word “dwell”, which in the Greek had the connotation of being “at home”; not on a temporary basis, but conveying the idea that there is no place in our hearts and lives he may not “inhabit”.1 As such, Jesus’ love will flow through every part of our lives, overflowing on to and into the lives of those around us. (See Luke 6:45 & 1 Thessalonians 3:12) “…so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:15
Paul then goes on to express the hope that, “…being rooted and established in love (you) may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19
The width of God’s love shown in Christ’s, “…atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2 The over-riding purpose of Jesus sojourn on earth being to, “…save sinners…” 1 Timothy 1:15 (See also Luke 19:10) His overcoming love demonstrated in the fact that, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 All that was necessary for us to achieve salvation being done by him, our responsibility then being to decide whether to accept it or not.
The length to which God was willing to go to ensure our salvation being limitless ( Matthew 26:39), short of excusing sin with no responsibility on our part of responding to his loving gesture through repentance and grateful obedience to his will; as even now “…he is able to secure completely those who come to God through (Christ), because he always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25 (See also Romans 8:34)
The depths to which God was willing to sacrifice for our good typically thought of as expressed in his willingness to go to the cross in our place so that grace, mercy and redemption could be ours instead of punishment and death. When in fact his sacrifices reached their zenith in that act, starting well before that in his willingness to come to earth in the first place – foregoing, at least for a while, the glories of heaven and his place at God’s right hand while among us – culminating in his ordeal on the cross. ( Matthew 27:46) “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9. Paul using the idea of an uncontainable goodness overflowing its recipients, assuring us that “…just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” 2 Corinthians 1:5 (Some suffering being direct persecution because of our faith, others being the trials of life we all experience from time to time.)
The height of God’s love, balanced by justice, expressed in the fact that, without his mercy and grace, “…(we) were dead in (our) transgressions and sins, in which we used to live… gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desire and thoughts… by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions… and seated us with (Christ) in the heavenly realms…” Ephesians 2:1-6
As a result of all God has done – and continues to do, how could we do anything but echo Paul’s exclamation of Ephesians 3:20,21, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”
1From Michael Green’s A Prayer Journey With the Apostle Paul, Zondervan Publishing
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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