Who doesn’t want a friend with riches? For one reason or another, people with riches like to give things away and who wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end? As a teacher in Chicago I benefited from the Gates Foundation’s gifts to the school at which I worked. Certainly some of the gifts of earthly benefactors are misguided, but it’s great to have that kind of connection.
In Ephesians 3 we learn about the unsearchable riches of Christ:
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in[b] God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
“Unsearchable” is kind of a funny word. It’s the word used by the King James translators and it is repeated in a number of modern translations. I prefer (although I cannot read the original languages) the word “unfathomable” used in the New American Standard version. A fathom is a unit of measure often used for the depth of water and “unfathomable” literally means that you cannot find the bottom. This certainly captures the idea of this passage and in Ephesians, you find exactly what kind of bottomless riches Paul is talking about:
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, …
Ephesians 2:7 …so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3: 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
For me it is easier to understand the riches of God’s grace than to understand his glory even though we share both. God’s grace redeems us and:
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Getting my mind around riches of his glory is a little more difficult, but seeing myself on the moving walkway (as illustrated in the message of Jan 5th), part of God’s larger plan to bring glory to his name partly by working through me, helps me understand a bit more about the unsearchable riches of God.
Understanding a little about grace and glory that he shares out of his abundance and love gives us insight into another part of the Jan 5th message: the power of God that he shares with us:
Ephesians 1 19 …and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
God’s power is the source of energy that keeps the walkway moving and enables us to (however imperfectly) do his will. Along with unsearchable riches, he grants us immeasurable… power.
And if that were the end of the story, it would be an awesome and life changing story by itself, but there is more.
John 10 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
This is what makes the story irresistible. God’s love motivates his ultimate sacrifice for us. Love isn’t love if it costs nothing. Everyone knows that saying with words that you love someone doesn’t mean much (if anything) without actions to back it up.
If you want to understand the nature of God, start here: He gave his life for our redemption. He took our sins upon his sinless shoulders and suffered for us on the cross. His love demands our attention and gives us an example of how to get the attention of others.
It’s not enough for us to be “right”. It’s not enough to have “sound doctrine”. It’s not enough to share key verses or our even our life’s story.
What are you willing to give? What loving sacrifice will you make to bring God’s grace and glory into someone’s life?
Sacrifice sounds scary and depressing, but God’s unsearchable grace and glory and immeasurable power make this kind of sacrifice a holy joy. 1 John 4:19, We love because he first loved us. There is no formula. There is no one set answer to the questions above. How will you love those around you, especially those who are “unlovable”? Let the Spirit speak to you as you read and pray and listen for your answers.
