The family of God

Turn with me now to Ephesians 3 and let's read verses 14 to 21 together....

This wonderful passage of scripture discretely reveals the glorious relationship and perfect unity of the Godhead, yet it also extends to us and our role as co-workers and children of God.

Verses 14 & 15
The true identity of any family is in God. Family is a word which is rooted in God - God is THE Father, not just the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. But God is also a 'divine family' made up of three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. ...."From whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." This statement not only expresses how people relate to God but also how God relates to people.

When a man and woman get married, God extends His name to them. A name that in essence belongs to Him - the name of FAMILY! Therefore, husband, wife and children can only live up to the true meaning of this name [family] as they learn to reflect the nature and life of the divine family in their own human family. And this divine nature is founded and rooted in love ["agape" - the God kind of love].

Verse 16
"...that He [the Father] may grant you." The Greek word used here and translated "grant" literally means to 'allow' or 'permit' and it implies 'giving or being allowed to receive an object of substantial value'.

Therefore, the apostle Paul is in fact praying that "the Father would be gracious enough to allow His children to be strengthened with might, according to the riches of His glory." "Strengthened with might" can mean 'becoming mighty by His power', which is what the Holy Spirit brings to work in every believer. And this "mighty power" is needed in every family, as every family member needs to be strengthened by their loved ones.

The Holy Spirit is continually at work in us, but He is only working as the Father wills and works through Him. He is God's mighty strengthening power sent to have dominion in our INNER MAN. His presence should make us increasingly more dependent on our Heavenly Father. We must be ever conscious of the Holy Spirit as indwelling, but at the same time, be expectant and anticipate that the Father continues to do the work [acts] through Him [fulfilling His divine plans and purposes]. Remember, the family was God’s idea!

Verse 17
Here is probably the most important link. God the Father has one sole purpose [one objective] in strengthening us with His mighty power through His Spirit, and that is, "so that Christ may dwell [manifest] in our hearts." When Christ dwells [manifests in our hearts] we become rooted like a tree, and grounded like a building on a strong foundation, IN LOVE. Hence, Jesus becomes conspicuous in our physical bodies.

Marriage should be a cerebration the unconditional love of God, one to another, but the onlooker should see Jesus at the centre - conspicuous in everything.

Verses 18 & 19
To "comprehend" means to experience not simply understand. God the Father desires that we become more and more like His beloved Son Jesus, and therefore, He has instructed His Spirit to manifest the life and nature of Jesus IN US. This divine process of transformation truly pleases Him. But look at what happens when we are rooted and established in Jesus [and have experienced and understood His astonishing love]. We become.... "filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

‘All the fullness of the Father' speaks of more than just one experience, or one aspect of His power. It points to a broad based spirituality which only becomes balanced by participating in all of God's blessings, supernatural resources and wisdom. This is the abundant life that Jesus Himself came to give us. A life that is more than enough! A marriage that is out of the ordinary - a family that is a great testimony to God.

Verses 20 & 21
This is the glorious climax, so let's read it again, with the profound knowledge which we have just received...

Chris Demetriou, 13/11/2005