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THE KING’S BUSINESS
the elect angels, 1 Tim. 5:21), and the things upon the earth (i. e., all the redeemed |men of every nation—other men will then have been banished from the earth —and redeemed nature, cf. Rom. 8:21), (cf. Col. 1:20), Thursday, June 13 . Eph. 1 : 11 . In this same Jesus in whom God will in “the fullness of the seasons” head up all things,' we are also made a heritage of God (R. V.). The Authorized Version says. “We have obtained an inheritance.” That is true; we have obtained an inheri tance in Christ (Acts 26:18), and a glorious one (1 Peter 1:3-5), but that is not the truth of this passage, the translation of the Revised Version, “We were made a heri tage” is the correct translation, and the thought is that we who are in Christ are God’s inheritance. This truth is in some respects ■a more inspiring one than the truth that we obtain an inheritance in Christ. Jehovah’s inheritance is His peo ple (cf. Deut. 32:9 and Eph. 1:18; see also Deut. 4 :20: 9 :29). Is it not wonderful that sinners'such as we , all have been, should be the inheritance which God chose for Himself, and in which He delights? To this glorious position of being God’s inher itance we were foreordained from all eter nity. This foreordination was God’s sove reign loving device determined by nothing outside .Himself, “according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His will.” It is God’s own coun sel that determines what He wills to do. One should notice the multiplication of words that indicate will, or self-determina tion in this phrase: “foreordained,” “pur pose,” “counsel” (the Greek word trans lated “counsel” means will), “will.” It is God’s own counsel that determines what He wills to do, but God’s counsel is not arbi trary caprice; it is His own infinitely wise and holy and loving thought (cf. Isa. 28:29). It is true that God does as He pleases, but it is also true that such a per son as He is in His own character can never please to do anything but the very wisest and best and most loving thing.
I am glad that He is going to do just what He pleases to do with me, because it is He that pleases to do it. I would not be glad to have any. one else do just what he pleased with me. I am sure*what He pleases to do is infinitely better than what would please poor foolish, ever-erring me. But the point emphasized in verse 11 is not only that He is guided by His own counsel in His purpose, but also that what soever He wills He brings to pass: He “worketh all things after the counsel of His will.” We will many things but work few. God worketh all He willeth. Halle lujah! No failures with Him. The word translated “worketh,” if we should trace every part of the word (as we cannot always do in every place where it is used, but can here) means “inworketh.” It is in us that He works both to will and *to work for the sake of His own good pleasure (Phil. 2:13, R. V.). Friday, June 14 . Eph. 1 : 12 . The .end in view in the loving and won drous purpose of God regarding us, which is set forth in verse 11 is, “that we should be unto the praise of His glory.” Paul defines who he means by “we”—“we who had before (i. e., before that coming time when we shall be unto the praise of His glory) set our hope (put our trust for the future) in Christ.” This description means all believers, but particularly the early and primarily Jewish believers. Our hope in Christ is all connected with His future glorious appearing and the blessed results coming therefrom (cf. Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:2, 3, R. V.). Saturday, June 15 . Eph. 1 : 13 . Paul now turns more specifically to the Ephesian believers, who were in a 'measure included in the “we” of verse 12, but who are now pointed out in the “ye” so there can be no doubt. Paul makes this clear by saying, “in whom (i.e., in Christ) are ye also.” This translation, “in whom are ye also” is a simpler translation than that given in either the Authorized or Revised Version, though the thought is essentially
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