Notes on Ephesians Chapter One
AUTHOR: | Oliphant, James H. |
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REFLECTIONS. This chapter is a rich storehouse of Spiritual truth. Paul here treats of the foundation principles of Christian hope. As ponderous stones are laid deep in the earth to support some mighty structure, so would Paul find in God’s eternal purpose and omnipotent power, a sure basis for the building of mercy. Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid---laid deep and strong ere man came upon the scene. If we are true believers, or faithful ministers of Christ, we owe it to the unmerited and sovereign grace of God. He might justly had left all to perish evermore; so Christians are but as brands plucked from the burning. The thought that our present hopeful state grows out of, or is due to, God’s eternal purpose, is an abiding well-spring of joy. It led Paul to exclaim, "All things work together for good to them that love God, who are the called according to his purpose." I am not sad nor surprised that self-confident men dislike these pride-debasing truths, but my heart is pained within me to know that some who are Christians in heart, and who love the Redeemer, dislike the thought that our eternal salvation in heaven is the result of God’s eternal purpose and foreknowledge. God has given us this truth as a stronghold in the day of trouble, a resting-place in despondency, a rock of comfort in the gloomy hour. When we consider our poor fallen state here, our weakness, the evil of our hearts, our proneness to do wrong; and when we remember that Satan is our foe; that the world is at war with our eternal interests; that death and the tomb are waiting for each one of us, should we not press to our hearts those wonderful truths that Paul has given for the consolation of believers? Should not every child rejoice to hear that God remembered his people in eternity’ that they were chosen in Christ Jesus ere time began; predestinated to be holy and without blame, given redemption and forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance in Christ? Is it not a source of exceeding joy that God manifested his greatness of his power to us-ward; opening the eyes of our understanding, causing us to believe, and sealing us with the Holy Spirit of promise, and giving us the inspiring truth that we are one with the Redeemer? May these considerations be the solace of our lives, and make us tender to those who know them not. If thus favored, it is ours to commend in life and heart the great truths we profess, that God may be glorified by the children of men. Jas. H. Oliphant.
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