“What God Wants”

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

BIBLE READING: Ephesians 1.3-14

Ephesians begins by stating what God offers: Every spiritual blessing (1.3), adoption to himself as sons (1.5); redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses (1.7); wisdom and insight into the mystery of his will (1.8-9); reconciliation to him (1.10); an inheritance (1.11); hope (1.12); salvation (1.13); all given with a guarantee (1.13-14). These alone should stir our desires to seek what God offers. But should also prompt us to ask ‘why’? No one offers or gives up so much without expectation, and so it is with God. John 3.16 tells us that God gave because he desired people to believe in his son and not perish. In other words, God wants something from us.

This section teaches us what he wants. He wants us to be to the praise of his glory (1.6, 12, 14). His lavish gifts and overwhelming grace in Christ are not the result of our worthiness but to observe and honor his. He made the first move. He opened the doors for hope. He wanted for us what we didn’t want for ourselves and he went out of his way to both communicate and offer these things. This is true glory and worthiness that the world cannot know. He is Sovereign yet gentle; just but merciful.

We must not view God’s desire for us from a human perspective. He could have forced us to glorify him, like many leaders have. But instead, he served to make these things possible. He came to us in our weakness, like abandoned children and brought us to himself in Christ (see Ezekiel 16). What God wants from us is not only justified but right as witnessed by the throne scene in Revelation 4. “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4.11). He is the Maker and Sustainer of all that we know. The universe does not revolve around me; but it quite literally does revolve around him. And yet, God so loved the world that he gave so that we could know him and what he wants.

God wants you to be his child by becoming like him in holiness and purity (Ephesians 1.4). He wants you to find comfort so you can comfort others (1 Corinthians 1.4). He wants you to enjoy the peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4.7) so others can see the God who can do more than we ask or think (Ephesians 3.20-21). He wants you to enjoy abundant life by living to the praise of his glory.

Faith must not only be about finding fulfillment in what we receive. It must be about seeking the One in whom “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17.28). God is what we truly need. And so let us seek what God offers, knowing that he knows exactly what we need (Matthew 6.32b)

"...this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17.3)

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