Part 7
Sometimes, people fail to adequately value the spiritual blessings we receive through our Lord Jesus Christ. St. Paul aims to show that we should highly esteem the adoption through which God has gathered us together by means of our Lord Jesus Christ. This adoption allows us to have familiar communion with God through hope, which is far more valuable than the whole world. He uses another analogy, that of a temple. While the Holy Scripture sometimes refers to every faithful person as the temple of God because He dwells within us through His Holy Spirit, when speaking universally of the entire church, we are likened to lively stones. The building is closely bound together, with each of us contributing to its perfection. These concepts are not contradictory. Every faithful individual is a temple of God, living a life of holiness by the Holy Spirit's work. However, we must also be united in faith, just as stones come together to
form a building. This unity allows us to be joined to our Lord Jesus Christ through belief in the gospel, and it enables God to dwell in us and be worshipped purely. We are fully assured that whenever we call upon Him, He will be ready to hear us, and when we gather together in His name, He will always be among us.
This is what St. Paul conveys when he speaks of those who were once heathens, cut off from all hope of salvation, being built up by the gospel to become a temple for God. It is now clear that God considers us part of His household. This understanding arises from pure gospel doctrine, showing us that God desires to have His temples in us and is pleased with our worship. Until we have the gospel doctrine to grant us access to this invaluable benefit, we cannot be called citizens of heaven, children of God, or part of His household. Moreover, it is important to realize that we do not need to embark on arduous journeys to seek it. God offers us the privilege of entering His house, and the door is open for us, at least if we receive the promises He makes us.
We need not go about heaven or earth, for God tells us and assures us that He has adopted us so that we should cleave wholly unto Him. Therefore, we can have familiarity with Him, and He will be joined unto us. But with all this, we should also know where to seek His word. Faithless individuals are often so spiteful that they seek all sorts of loopholes to distance themselves from God. Indeed, we see that many act as if they are willing to serve God, yet they cast doubt on whether the law came from Him and whether the Gospel is His truth. Look at how people try to shake off God's yoke with all their might, shifting aside, creating excuses, and evading responsibility. They loudly proclaim their intention to humble themselves before Him, but in reality, they neither know God's word nor can they discern it. Why? It's due to their malice and ingratitude.
St. Paul, therefore, to eliminate all such trivial excuses, tells us that since God has spoken through Moses and His prophets, and finally through His apostles, we should be certain that everything contained in the law and the gospel is the truth itself. We should not fear being led astray or deceived. We may hear many objections, as every person imagines whatever suits their fancy, but God has sufficiently authenticated His words when He revealed His law. Furthermore, He gave ample authority to His prophets, and His gospel was confirmed and sealed with more than enough miracles. Therefore, we must not say, "We do not know if it is God's Word or not," for it is in our mouths, close at hand, and God deemed it fit to nourish us with it, sending mortal men to speak it directly to us.
Therefore, let us learn, above all, not to be overly skeptical when it comes to receiving God's word. We should be content knowing that He has provided sufficient evidence of His will through His prophets and apostles. In doing so, we can yield Him the obedience that pleases Him by accepting the use of these human instruments guided by His Holy Spirit. Our faith should not lack humility, and God has demonstrated His wisdom in choosing mortal men as the means through which He communicates Himself to us. Let it be a fundamental principle for us that agreement is not lacking between the law, the prophets, and the Gospel. We have indeed seen that the use of ceremonies has come to an end, but the substance of them persists. When God caused the gospel to be openly preached to the world, it was not due to His inconsistency or an intention to teach people in a new and unfamiliar manner. The law and the prophets continually bear witness to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, we are reminded to benefit ourselves from all that is contained in Moses and the rest of the prophets. Nowadays, there are some eccentric individuals who believe that we only need the New Testament for all doctrine, considering the rest to be superfluous. It is true that the fullness of wisdom is thoroughly contained in the gospel, but this does not mean that
we should not be edified by the Law and the Prophets. We can see that even the apostles themselves confirmed their doctrine with their testimonies.
And here, when St. Paul says that we must be built upon the foundation, he sufficiently shows that whatever things are taught in the Law and Prophets, both in the past and today, are profitable for us. We must practice and apply them likewise. Peter also states that these teachings serve not only for their time but also for ours. They give us a taste of our Lord Jesus Christ and the good things imparted to us through Him. We have come to the fullness of time, as St. Paul mentions elsewhere. This verifies what St. Peter said, that the doctrine of the prophets pointed to us, and we have a more complete and abundant understanding of it than those who heard it spoken. We have a greater light in Jesus Christ, making things that were once dark now open and known to us.
Therefore, let us study the Law and the Prophets, knowing well that they lead us to our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the focal point of our faith, as stated when it is said that Jesus Christ is the end of the law and also the pattern that Moses saw on the mountain. The law and the prophets bear witness to Him. Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself rebuked the Jews for their boastful pride in the law, making their offense even more grievous because they rejected Him to whom the law pointed and through whom the law sought to restrain us.
To profit well from the Holy Scripture, we must always refer to our Lord Jesus Christ and fix our gaze upon Him. Sadly, many people exert great effort in reading the Holy Scriptures, but they merely skim the surface. After many years, they are as ignorant as if they had never read a single line. This happens because they wander aimlessly without a specific goal. Similarly, in worldly learning, you often see diligent scholars who, despite their effort, gain little because they lack order, measure, and purpose. They gather a collection of disjointed sentences but fail to gain any true
understanding. The same is true for those who read the Holy Scriptures laboriously but do not realize that the central point should always be our Lord Jesus Christ.
For just as it is said that all our perfection is in the gospel, our Lord Jesus Christ is also declared to be the wisdom of God His Father. As the law is referred to as the way to walk in, so our Lord Jesus Christ proclaims, "I am the way." Likewise, as the Word of the Lord is described as a lamp to guide our steps, our Lord Jesus Christ declares, "I am the light of the world." Thus, everything found in the Holy Scriptures points to our Lord Jesus Christ, and He is the sole anchor for all our senses and minds. It is not without reason that He is called the living image of God His Father, for although God is pure light, we would never reach that light until our Lord Jesus Christ descended to lift us up and grant us access to a place that was once closed to us.
In conclusion, what we should understand from St. Paul's words is that the prophets and apostles were chosen and ordained to bring us to God through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is His very image. Therefore, we should focus all our senses and minds on Him for our edification through the Holy Scripture. Conversely, those who indulge in vain curiosities, seeking to be wiser than God allows, will remain in confusion. Instead of progressing, they will regress, as evident in many examples throughout history. We must learn from these examples, for the corruption, errors, ungodliness, and superstitions in the world are caused by people being ensnared by their own foolish desires and carnal inclinations, never content with the simplicity of Jesus Christ as presented in the gospel.
So, all the more, we should keep in mind what is told to us here: we must always set our Lord Jesus Christ before our eyes and in our sight if we intend to have an infallible foundation in the Holy Scripture and progress in it. We also see that we need not search here and there for God's word. We
have the prophets and the apostles as our boundaries within which we must stay. Our faith should not stray to the left or right but remain obedient to God's word as contained in the Holy Scripture.
If this text had been well understood, the world would not be in such disorder as we see it today. Men have invented numerous paths to salvation because they have not known the power of our Lord Jesus Christ as shown here. There seems to be no end to superstitious beliefs and practices, and in the midst of it all, they have practically forgotten Jesus Christ. This is a corruption and distortion of God's truth because they did not know its purpose: to keep us dedicated to our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may cleave to Him and find rest for our souls.
On the other hand, the papacy grounds itself on councils, decrees, and inventions of men's own minds, claiming that all perfection can be found there, while regarding the things taught by Jesus Christ and His apostles as mere basics. They consider the Holy Scripture as a catechism for children, and to attain perfection, they argue for the necessity of their own councils. They have been so bewitched and blinded that they sought to undermine God's word, leading people astray without proper direction.
Therefore, we should remember the importance of this text, which tells us to reject anything added to the Holy Scripture, believing that God charged His prophets and apostles with everything profitable and expedient for our salvation. We should not add any morsels or fragments of our own or borrow things contrary to the pure doctrine. We must reject all such practices and avoid any patching or compromising because God can demolish whatever men attempt to add to the law and the Gospel, from which we must not turn away. As it is said, "This is the way, walk in it." When Jesus Christ declares Himself as the WAY and the light of the world, it is to encourage us to remain steadfast in Him without swaying to the right or left.
Another important aspect of this text is that we should not consent to be taught by those whom God did not make privy to His will and whom He disavows when they attempt to add even a single syllable to what should be held without dispute. While the church relies on the daily preaching of the doctrine of the prophets and apostles, and those ordained to teach are called builders of God's house, we should understand that they are, in essence, builders of the church, and, in this regard, they are one with the prophets and apostles.
However, this does not mean that they can take whatever they wish from the law or preach their own inventions. They must draw their inspiration from the pure source offered to us in the Holy Scripture. We should always be held to the simplicity of the law and the gospel, not being entangled by any wandering opinions that divert us from the obedience of faith, contenting ourselves with the means that God has provided.
When St. Paul states that Jesus Christ is the fountain and the head cornerstone, he does not imply that it is permissible to mix anything with Jesus Christ, as if He only formed a part of the building, with the rest supplied by others. It is meant to emphasize that we must build upon Him. St. Paul encouraged us to do this in the third chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians when he declared that no one can lay any other foundation than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
St. Paul wants us to understand that no one can establish any other foundation for salvation. There is no safety apart from Jesus Christ, whose dominion extends everywhere. All of us, from the greatest to the least, must submit to Him and not forsake the countless benefits He offers us and that we possess through Him. To grasp how Jesus Christ is our sole Foundation, we must know why He was sent. In the four texts mentioned, Scripture states that He was given to us as our wisdom, righteousness, redemption,
and holiness. In other words, Jesus Christ is the source of all our well-being and contains everything necessary for our salvation.
To understand why Jesus Christ is the foundation of the church and why we should be established upon Him, we must recognize that God has fully revealed Himself to us through His only Son. He has placed everything required for our salvation or worthy of our desire into His hands. This enables us to draw from His fullness, as mentioned in the first chapter of St. John's Gospel. Thus, Jesus Christ is like the cornerstone that supports the entire building, just as the cornerstone bears the greatest weight of the structure.
Nevertheless, it's worth noting that St. Paul did not intend to place Christ alone in a separate category and associate other stones with Him that would have equal authority and mastery. His intention was to illustrate that there is no fundamental difference between the law and the gospel in terms of their essence. Even though Jesus Christ is the culmination of everything and we should all be united and connected through Him, forming the temple of God and being part of the spiritual building in which God intends us to dwell.
However, if our faith does not rest entirely on our Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot build upon this foundation. The papacy, with its invention of patrons and advocates to gain favour, and its establishment of numerous means for merit, has essentially made itself separate from Jesus Christ. Those who turn away from Him, even by the width of a finger, are bound to fall into peril, for a foundation is meant to support the entire structure. If the building extends too far beyond its foundation, it will inevitably collapse. Similarly, if we do not build our faith upon Jesus Christ, aligning and fastening it to Him, sticking to Him without adding anything else, He will disown us and cast us away.
The papacy and its like-minded institutions, by introducing new means according to their own desires, commit an egregious wrong and affront to
our Lord Jesus Christ. They deserve to be dismantled and removed from God's Church. Therefore, if we wish to enjoy the benefits outlined here, we must ensure that our faith is so shaped by the law and the gospel that we reject anything invented by humans. We must be confident that this is the surest way to avoid destruction and that we can only be firmly grounded in Jesus Christ, standing firmly upon Him forever, if we accept all the things spoken and attested to about Him in the law and the gospel, without allowing men to add anything to it.
In essence, what St. Paul conveys in these words is that we do not truly belong to our Lord Jesus Christ or God's Church unless we adhere to the pure doctrine of the law and the gospel, forsaking all the impurity and abominations that people have concocted through their own fantasies and concoctions, no matter how appealing they may seem. If we desire to be united with Jesus Christ, we must remain in Him to the exclusion of all else. Furthermore, we learn that to be recognised as God's children, we must cultivate genuine harmony. As mentioned earlier, the pure teaching of God's word should lead Christians to receive it with one heart and one mind, and to maintain fraternal unity, speaking with one voice and making a singular, pure confession.
So, just as we have seen that we must build our foundation solely upon God's pure word, it is also evident here that each of us must not be attached to our own opinions but, instead, conform to the unity of faith. St. Paul speaks of this in Philippians 3, emphasising the need for unity, stating, "If you intend to be perfect, aim at one mark, and be truly united in one." We are all susceptible to ambition, and every individual seeks to elevate their own status. Indeed, the root of all heresies is this pride, deeply ingrained in the human heart, which leads people to desire always to know more than is permissible. As a result, they behave improperly, with each person wanting to act as a teacher. However, we are reminded here that instead of such conduct, we must be closely connected, speaking as if with one voice and
confessing that we have but one God and one Father, demonstrating that we acknowledge no other masters except Jesus Christ.
Nevertheless, it is indeed true that such concord alone would not be sufficient. I have already explained the starting point, which is the pure instruction we receive from the prophets and apostles. The papists boast excessively about their unity, and they may indeed appear to have unity, for the devil possesses them in such a way that they are completely entangled. There is certainly enough discord and quarrelling among them, like barking dogs within their own synagogues. Yet they stick together in promoting all manner of ungodliness. Their devilish madness and wilful stubbornness become evident when they argue for the preservation of their own falsehoods against God's truth.
However, they show us how we should truly achieve unity, not through dreams and fancies, nor in the things concocted by men, but in the doctrine of the prophets and apostles. Since the papists have banished the Holy Scripture, and even when they claim to accept it, they distort and corrupt it with their own inventions, they are far from achieving the unity they proclaim. Without the doctrine of the prophets and apostles, they possess no mark of the true church whatsoever.
Even if people were willing to accept everything contained in the Holy Scripture without objection, if they then mix in their own fantasies, they corrupt and confuse all of Christianity. The papists not only entangle God's truth with their own inventions but also completely overthrow it. Consequently, God's service is corrupted by them, and poor souls are tossed about. Our Lord Jesus Christ is so misrepresented that He becomes a mere figment, and His offices are attributed to various individuals as if they were plunder. Therefore, when we witness how the papists turn God's word upside down in this absurd manner, we can conclude that despite their claims to be the true church, God disowns and rejects them. If one does not
flee from this den of thieves, it is impossible to be united with our Lord Jesus Christ.
The key lesson here is that to be united with God through His only Son, and to be counted among the angels of heaven, and the brethren of the patriarchs, holy kings, and prophets, one must separate from the hellish synagogues present in the Papacy. It is clear that Antichrist reigns there, and Jesus Christ is wholly deprived of His rightful sovereignty. Their audacious assertion that the See of Rome is the foundation of the church is a grave misuse of Christ's words in Matthew 16:18, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my church." In reality, Jesus Christ meant that Peter would be built upon Himself, not that Peter should pass on his office to someone else. This demonstrates a complete lack of reverence for the Holy Scripture among the papists and their desire to establish a tyranny to suppress the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
There is a shocking disregard for the Holy Scripture, manifest blasphemy, and moral decay among them. Even children would be disgusted considering the great abominations that have prevailed. Despite the fact that the Holy Scripture used to be their nourishment, it was buried, defaced, and the world was left desolate for a time, all in the darkness of the devil's reign. Therefore, we should reject all these blasphemies, knowing that we cannot be firmly grounded except in our Lord Jesus Christ. Once we are faithfully instructed in Him, we need not seek assistance elsewhere, as He has provided everything necessary for our salvation. It is not fitting to dishonor Him by seeking other sources; instead, we should wholly commit ourselves to Him.
Therefore, the meaning of what Paul is conveying here is that we should all be constructed and developed into a spiritual building, reaching toward God in the spirit. First, when he mentions that we must be "built," it is meant to encourage us to grow continuously in faith. He also uses the word "grow,"
signifying two important aspects. Firstly, we should not consider ourselves so perfect that we become like those arrogant individuals who are so puffed up with pride that they believe they are already wise enough and too important to engage with God's Word or be taught by it. Such pride is unwarranted because we can only be disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ by understanding that it is necessary for us to be firmly grounded in Him and be His followers throughout our lives.
God's Word possesses such vast depth, breadth, and length that even if a person were to dedicate their entire life to studying it without eating, drinking, or sleeping, they would still not exhaust its entirety. Therefore, we should engage with it throughout our lifetime, recognizing that God intended it to guide us on our journey. We must progress gradually, remaining humble and modest, as God's Word serves as our path of growth and learning.
Once again, St. Paul emphasises that in order to be firmly established in our Lord Jesus Christ and to progress in the blessings He bestows upon us, we must have His Word as our foundation. We should continue building upon it, growing steadily, and recognising that our faith will never be perfect in this world, as we can clearly observe from our own experiences. Therefore, what Paul conveys here regarding our growth and progress in this spiritual building is a crucial point to understand.
However, it's important to remember that it's not merely about putting on an impressive display. The main focus should be on pleasing the Lord and completely dedicating ourselves to Him, allowing Him to reside within us as in His temple. The Papists, on one hand, may make a grand show, boasting of their large numbers and worldly pomp, but they are blinded by their devilish pride and arrogance. They despise us because we are a smaller group in comparison. They claim Christendom extends throughout Europe, Greece, and Africa. Nevertheless, their pride and ostentation are not what
truly matters in the eyes of God. All their outward displays are superficial, and while they may impress ignorant souls, they are an abomination before God.
Therefore, we must not be swayed by the Papists' numbers or outward appearances, for their church is lacking a true head, as Jesus Christ does not hold preeminence within it. Simple reminds us that we should not be envious or despise them, but instead, we should recognise the falsehood of their claims. Their so-called church is a monstrous entity with no true head.
To understand how we should grow, it is stated that we must grow towards the Lord and in the Spirit, as St. Paul says. Simple directs us away from worldly superstitions, emphasising that they are worthless before God. We must grow in the Spirit, as the shadows of the law have ceased with the arrival of the fulfilment and substance in our Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of clinging to the old figures, we should give them up and focus on building ourselves in a spiritual manner in Christ.
This teaching of Christ should be precious and dear to us, inspiring us with love for it. It should lead us to willingly renounce the world and dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to our Lord Jesus Christ. On the contrary, we should also be cautious not to fall under judgment, as Christ warned, for those who reject this precious stone. By building upon Jesus Christ, we have a secure foundation for our salvation, and we can be confident that He is more than capable of upholding us, ensuring that we will not be abandoned.
If we stumble justly against the stone, it is certain that we will not be able to withstand it, but rather, we will sink beneath it. In the end, it will crush and break us into pieces. Therefore, we must take care that our Lord Jesus Christ does not become a stumbling stone for us, as is the way of the world today, which maligns Him to the extent that everyone proudly raises their rebellious bristles to rush against Him. Instead, let us consider ourselves
and be meekly disposed to offer our service to Him, so that He may sustain us until the end.
Even though we witness Jesus Christ being rejected by the world, and it may seem strange that people would fight against Him, treating Him as a target, we must never cease to regard Him as a precious stone. Peter advises us in the second chapter of his first epistle to see Jesus Christ in this way.
So, when we hear these promises that St. Paul speaks of, we should be drawn to our Lord Jesus Christ, giving ourselves completely to Him and forsaking all that the world may deem excellent. We should also be cautious not to be ungrateful and reject Him as a precious stone, for God tells us that all our well-being rests in Him being our temple and being called upon by us. Therefore, let us benefit from this great and invaluable gift, continually growing and increasing in it until we reach our heavenly inheritance, where we will fully experience all the good things that we currently only perceive through faith.
Now, let us humble ourselves before the majesty of our good God, acknowledging our sins and praying for His forgiveness, so that they may not be held against us. May He also correct us in a way that we remain devoted to Him and come to Him freely at all times, even though we are unworthy. Let us all say, "Almighty God, Heavenly Father, etc."
The Sixteenth Sermon, the First on the Third
Chapter
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel." - Ephesians 3: 1-6
Although all of us confess that the Gospel's doctrine always brings trouble and persecution because the world despises it, and even though we should not be discouraged or back away, it is still difficult to endure the very thing we acknowledge. There is hardly anyone among us who is not troubled and shaken when God's enemies unleash their cruel attacks on the faithful. Nevertheless, we must remember that such adversity should strengthen our faith. When we witness frail humans fearlessly risking their lives to bear witness to God's truth, it should remind us of the evident power of God's Spirit. Unfortunately, our ingratitude often blinds us to this reality. We need encouragement, as Paul provides in this passage.
When we see the devil inciting his followers to commit tyranny against God's children, we should not let our faith waver. This is especially true when the faithful endure suffering patiently for the sake of maintaining God's truth, knowing it and holding fast to it without wavering. Their steadfastness should not be in vain. In other places, Paul states that he suffered for the benefit of the Church. His suffering did not purchase forgiveness of sins or any grace through his death. It was because the Gospel is God's mighty power for the salvation of all who believe. The more we advance in it, the closer it brings us to God and everlasting life.
Paul suffered as an example to those he taught personally. Through his suffering, they knew that his teaching was earnest and sincere. His spirit,
not his blood or life, sealed and confirmed the doctrine he delivered to them. In this passage, he describes himself as an ambassador to the Gentiles, even though he was a prisoner of Jesus Christ. These two descriptions might seem contradictory, but Paul did not hesitate to glory in his imprisonment and chains. He was kept in custody as if he were a wrongdoer, but he maintained his testimony before God and men, suffering wrongfully for faithfully serving God.
Therefore, we should not find it strange that he referred to himself both as a prisoner and as an ambassador or messenger of the living God, representing Jesus Christ. He added the name of Jesus Christ to make it clear that his imprisonment did not diminish his authority. Imprisonment might have tarnished his reputation in the eyes of some because it is typically associated with wrongdoers. However, Paul made it known that there was a distinction between evildoers and witnesses of God and our Lord Jesus Christ. This is why he described himself not only as a prisoner but also as someone whom Jesus Christ held as if in hostage or pledge.
So, when we hear of St. Paul and the numerous trials he endured, we should not consider it excessive. Instead, we should view it as a more certain confirmation of the doctrine he proclaimed. He did not merely carry out his commission to preach but also performed miracles, endured countless troubles and obstacles, and ultimately suffered imprisonment and death. When we witness his unwavering commitment to overcome all the assaults from Satan and the wicked world, we gain greater confidence in the doctrine he delivered. Therefore, when we hear of St. Paul and the many challenges he faced, we should not think it excessive; rather, it serves as a strong confirmation of the doctrine, showing that it is not mere human doctrine but the doctrine of the living God, supported by His Holy Spirit. This applies not only to St. Paul but also to the other apostles, as God ordained that they too would endure suffering.
St. Peter is mentioned that when he grew old, he would experience a different kind of life than what he was accustomed to. He would be bound in straight bonds and led where he wouldn't want to go, at least in terms of his physical frailty, although his spiritual disposition was still inclined to obey God. This illustrates how God's servants suffered, not just a few of them, but many, like a great and thick cloud of witnesses, as mentioned in Hebrews 12. Therefore, we should consider the significance of such testimonies. God intended to support our weaknesses by providing these testimonies alongside His Word, which should have sufficient authority by itself, so there would be no doubts or questioning.
Hence, it's important to remember that the blood of the apostles and martyrs has been shed to confirm the gospel's doctrine, like a seal of approval. It's as if there were a hundred seals, or even a million, verifying all the gospel's contents. While our faith should be grounded in the authority of the Holy Spirit, the testimonies of the martyrs further affirm the gospel's truth. Even if God had not given us martyrs to confirm the truth, the authority of the Holy Spirit in our hearts should be enough. He is like an earnest penny, guaranteeing the inheritance we hope for, based on the promise bought at a great price—the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
However, in our present times, martyrs continue to shed their blood. God could restrain the wicked and change their hearts, but He allows Satan to drive them to rage against the faithful and grants them permission to trouble believers. This is for us to understand the power of His Holy Spirit when He governs and guides us. The weakness of humans is such that they are easily alarmed, even by a falling leaf from a tree. Death itself is frightening. Therefore, when martyrs persevere with such constancy, even in the face of tyrannical torments, it's a sign that God's hand is at work.
When we hear of martyrs enduring cruel treatment for God's Word, it should not be in vain. While preaching alone should sufficiently instruct us,
the sealing of God's Word through the suffering of His servants adds great strength. It leaves no room for doubt or dispute, as they have been granted the grace to suffer for the truth and become faithful witnesses. Their testimonies provide a full seal of God's Word, reassuring us and solidifying our faith.
This is what we need to understand. Even though the enemies of the Gospel may boast and cause a great uproar, we must never cease to glorify God. In fact, all the battles that Satan plans against the faithful are turned by God into victories and triumphs. He enables them to overcome all obstacles that seem to lead to their downfall and destruction. Therefore, we should not be discouraged when we see the wicked and the godless mocking our simplicity, or when our fellow believers suffer persecution. We must remember that the prisons where they are held and the fires of reproach are of far greater worth and significance than the seats of those judges who serve as Satan's agents and accomplices, even more valuable than the thrones of kings and princes, no matter how grand they may appear.
Now, I have also explained to you the grace of God that has been entrusted to me, as I have briefly written, revealing the mystery to you as it was revealed to me. You may thus better understand the knowledge I possess about the mystery of Jesus Christ. I wish to establish that I was ordained as an apostle, not by my own presumption or foolishness, nor by the favour of men, nor by mere chance, but by the free goodness of God. This point is crucial because it not only concerns my own calling as an apostle, but it has implications for the certainty of faith among the believers. When we hear the gospel preached, we must be fully persuaded that the preachers are indeed sent by God and are instruments of His Holy Spirit. Otherwise, even if someone were well-versed and sound in doctrine, they would not be able to assure us of the forgiveness of our sins. The atonement with God is a matter too high and great for us to rely on human judgment alone. The angels of heaven, speaking in unison, could not assure us unless they were
authorised by God. Therefore, it is crucial to understand that Paul's emphasis on not presumptuously taking on the role of an apostle but being chosen and sent by God is not without reason in this passage.
Furthermore, Paul asserts that the Ephesians should have been aware of the mystery or secret that was revealed to him. This awareness was important so that they could be certain that he was ordained and appointed by God to impart His grace and preach eternal salvation to their souls. This message was crucial, especially for those who had been cut off and estranged from the kingdom of heaven. Here, we need to grasp that merely hearing and understanding the preached message of the gospel is not enough. We must ascend higher in our understanding, recognising that God intends us to be assured of His goodwill through the testimony of men. The preaching of the gospel and our gathering together for instruction is not a humanly devised policy or order, nor is it a human invention. It is an ordinance of God, an enduring law. Therefore, when we attend God's school and not a human one, we must do so with sobriety and thoughtfulness, recognising that this is God's design, not man's, and that our gathering to hear the preaching is not to be taken lightly.
True, it is that we ought to examine the doctrine, and we must not accept everything indifferently that is preached. We should not be like brute beasts, as the Papists derogatively term it, lacking all understanding. However, we must hold God's name in honour. When the doctrine of the Holy Scripture is presented to us, we should detach ourselves from the world and set aside our own reason. Instead, we should submit with true obedience and humility to that which we know comes from God. If we come together with such a prepared mindset, God will not leave us in doubt. He will guide us by His Holy Spirit, assuring us that our faith comes from Him and is grounded upon His power. It will also come with the endorsement of those who serve as His messengers.
Now, when St. Paul mentions the calling of the Gentiles to the knowledge of the gospel, so that they may be joined with those who were already near, it is termed a mystery or secret. We should note that God intended to humble the world and keep it under control, so that we would learn to honour His providence, even though the reasons behind His actions may be unknown to us and the means may be hidden. God could have proclaimed the gospel immediately after the creation of the world or soon after Adam's fall. However, He delayed it for nearly 2,000 years. After that, when 400 more years had passed, the law was given. Even though it applied to Abraham's descendants, the Gentiles, who were far more numerous, were still excluded. This might seem peculiar, and David might have wished to have God restrained to a different will. But this is how things were. They could have called the whole world, without exception, but they did not. The law was given, but a long time passed before Jesus Christ came into the world. In summary, nearly 4,000 years went by, with countless people wandering blindly and living in spiritual darkness. God allowed them to continue in their ways. Suddenly, the trumpet sounded, the walls were broken down, and God gathered together those who had strayed from Him. He accepted them in His favour through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom God's sovereign dominion extends over the entire world. These are things that could not have been conceived, as I mentioned earlier. Therefore, it is not without reason that St. Paul calls this course of events a mystery, unknown to all previous ages but revealed in his time.
However, we must first address a question that may arise. While the patriarchs were not completely ignorant of what would come to pass, and the prophets bore witness to it, with Moses foretelling and declaring that strangers would come to worship God, this knowledge was not entirely revealed at the time, as St. Paul claims. Nevertheless, let us understand that all these prophecies remained obscure because the means to their fulfilment were hidden. Certainly, the faithful hoped that God would one day gather the world that had been scattered in such a terrible manner, as we have seen.
But regarding the specifics of when circumcision and the ceremonial aspects of the law would be abolished, when God would be worshipped in a different and better manner, when Jesus Christ would shine as the Sun of Righteousness, when people would find contentment in Him, and when only baptism and the Lord's Supper would serve as visible signs confirming our spiritual blessings – all of this was unknown. Even the apostles themselves continued in this profound ignorance. When Jesus Christ sent them out into the land of Judea, He instructed them not to speak to the Gentiles. This was because the opportune time had not yet come. As He approached His death, He spoke of "other sheep" not of the same fold, which must be gathered. This indicated that many chosen by God the Father were not part of the Jewish nation. After His resurrection, He commanded them to "preach the Gospel to all creatures." Thus, their first directive was to preach the hope of salvation to those who had been previously estranged from it. When Peter was informed that God would send him to a Gentile, he was so astonished that the hairs on his head stood on end. He thought it impossible until God sent him a vision from Heaven to make him go to a man he considered unclean. Therefore, it is not without reason that St. Paul refers to this as such a high and profound secret, saying that it was unknown to the Patriarchs and Prophets. They had some inkling of it according to their own limited understanding and under the veil of shadows and figures.
There was not any certain knowledge until God had revealed the matter that He had kept in His own counsel. And so, St. Paul thought it good to repeat the word "mystery" or "secret" to prevent any of us from provoking one another to stubborn opinions, as we often tend to do. People might say, "This surpasses human understanding," while others might dismiss it entirely. This leads people away from obeying God and places a stumbling block in their path, blocking their way to God's truth, which would be clear if they would only listen. However, due to our preconceived notions that it is too profound and beyond us, we think that God is not speaking to us, causing us to despise His Word and consider it irrelevant to us. Moreover,
the audacity and recklessness of people are such that they condemn everything they dislike.
Here, it is important to acknowledge that even what is unknown to us is still filled with majesty before God. We should not attempt to measure God's secrets with our imagination. Such presumption is unwarranted. God's judgments and actions are so deep that they can swallow us up a hundred thousand times. Therefore, we must magnify God's wisdom and, even when His intentions seem obscure to us, approach them with humility. Indeed, even the seemingly mundane matters should be received in a way that recognises God gives us only a taste of them, and we do not possess complete knowledge. This applies to the entire doctrine of the gospel, as there is no aspect of it that does not surpass our understanding. In some matters, God reserves the reason for Himself, which is intended to make us acknowledge the righteousness of His actions, even if we cannot comprehend them with our natural understanding.
Now, if there were ever a time when this doctrine needed to be emphasised, it is today. We witness how many unbelievers isolate themselves from God by shutting themselves out. Why do these unfortunate souls, including those deceived by the Pope, remain entrenched in their ignorance? They claim that God's word is too profound. Yet, does that mean we have just cause to reject it? Instead, we should consider that God's wisdom is apprehended only by humility. Since God condescends to teach the humble and the little ones, all pride should be cast down in us. Thus, we should recognise that God's wisdom is beyond our comprehension. When we see that many people today find the Gospel unpalatable because it is like a foreign language to them, we should receive with modesty whatever God tells us, even if it seems too high for us. We must pray to Him, the source of all light, to grant us understanding according to His will. Just as God's word enters our ears, He works inwardly in our hearts through His Holy Spirit. Therefore, let us submit ourselves to Him and be willing to accept whatever
is truly beneficial for us in His name. This is what we should bear in mind when we encounter something in the Gospel that seems difficult and unpalatable. Instead of rejecting it, as many people do, simply because it does not align with their preferences, let us receive it with humility and an open heart.
As I mentioned earlier, let us revere the things that are currently hidden from us, waiting until God brings them closer and increases our faith. When reading the Holy Scripture, we must have the humility to admit, "I do not understand this particular text, but it is not for me to abandon it, for that would be pointless. Instead, I will pray to God, asking Him to bear with my ignorance and open my understanding when the time is right. He, who holds the key to all knowledge and understanding, will reveal as much as He deems fitting and beneficial for me." Similarly, when listening to a sermon, if we do not understand everything that is being taught, we should pause and, in the meantime, continue to honour and reverence God, especially in matters that surpass our comprehension.
Yet, we see how those who aim to silence all of God's true servants from speaking on topics that seem beyond human grasp are, in essence, embodiments of evil. It is sheer madness that, because we do not understand why God has chosen some and forsaken others, some individuals have taken it upon themselves to declare that certain aspects of God's Word should be disregarded. This Word, not only revealed by the Holy Spirit but also sealed with the blood of God's Son, should not be questioned or disregarded. Those who attempt to do so are, in a way, entirely possessed by the devil, and we should pray that God intervenes and reveals their insignificance. They are no better than lice, fleas, ticks, and other vile and despised creatures of the world when they act with tyrannical and barbaric rage against God's Word. For our part, we must acknowledge that the honour we owe to our God entails patiently waiting for Him to increase the knowledge He has granted us.
Moreover, when one person possesses a greater measure of faith and understanding than others, he should humbly accommodate those with lesser knowledge and work to further their understanding. Conversely, those with less understanding should remain within their limits and not overstep their bounds. They should remember the words of St. Paul: "If you think otherwise, wait until God reveals it to you, and in the meantime, live in harmony and avoid division." This is what we should learn from this.
Additionally, we must recognise that through this approach, God intended to magnify His mercy. When He finally proclaimed the doctrine of the Gospel, He revealed the infinite richness of His goodness towards us. While we may not fully understand the reasons God had in mind when He delayed the proclamation of the Gospel for so long, it is evident that He intended to open our eyes and awaken our minds, so that each of us would better comprehend our indebtedness to Him. Were we better than our forefathers? Or when the Gospel was proclaimed throughout the world, were the Gentiles more receptive than before? No, it appeared that wickedness had reached its peak, and contempt for God was widespread. It was precisely in this state of profound wickedness that Jesus Christ came, bringing the message of salvation to all. Even when St. Paul addressed the Corinthians, listing murderers, fornicators, drunkards, thieves, and more as those who would not inherit the kingdom of heaven, he added, "Such were some of you," to emphasize that the Gospel was not proclaimed in Corinth due to any inherent virtue or merit of its inhabitants. Instead, it was solely an act of God's free grace.
Therefore, we must understand that this secret, as spoken of by St. Paul, applies in the following manner: it was God's will that all people, without exception, should be sinful. However, He provided a remedy through His grace. In our own time, we cannot claim to be better than our forefathers, as I mentioned previously. In terms of the general state of things, there was greater faithfulness among people fifty years ago. Their conduct was more
modest, and there was less excess and extravagance. In short, people did not behave as recklessly as they do today. True, they still exhibited the flaws inherent to human nature, which are of little worth. Yet, it seemed that Satan was then more restrained in his influence.
But within these thirty years, things have deteriorated to such an extent that it is horrifying to witness. God's grace is now preached, forgiveness of sins is proclaimed, and God calls those who were previously estranged countless times. What can be said of this except that God intended to magnify His grace and mercy through such a profound transformation? Therefore, let us recognise that the way to benefit from God's wondrous secrets is to revere what we do not know, receive what God has revealed to us, and accept without dispute that which we know comes from Him. Above all, we should ensure that our faith is strengthened and consider whether we ought not to be more inflamed with love for God.
God has deigned to send forth the gospel in our time, seemingly emerging from a deep dungeon. After we had wandered aimlessly like wretched beasts and been steeped in superstition and idolatry to the point where we hardly understood religion, God has revealed it to us once again, not in person but through His doctrine preached to us today, which had been completely buried. Let us take heed of this and, even though the world may not comprehend why God worked in such a mysterious manner, let us not cease to profit from it. Let us not be discouraged by our past state, but rather turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, for through the gospel, we are united to Him, and God acknowledges us as His children.
Despite having been among the wealthiest in the world and still being worthy of exclusion from His house and separation from His church, we should not lose hope that He will call us to the promised inheritance. It should suffice for us that God will gather us into His body, despite our previous scattering, and that He will fulfil His purpose for us if we allow
ourselves to be guided by our Lord Jesus Christ, who is ordained to be our king. Let us willingly submit ourselves to Him in true obedience of faith, without doubt that He will reveal to us the things that we long for.
Thus, we can understand why St. Paul said in his second letter to the Corinthians that even though God has His secret purposes that we cannot fully grasp, He has revealed certain incomprehensible things to us through His Gospel, disclosing His heart and will to us. Through this revelation, we can come closer to fully enjoying the things we hope for.
Now, let us humble ourselves before the majesty of our good God, acknowledging our sins and praying that He enables us to gain more and more from His Holy Word. May His Word not inflate us with presumption and arrogance but instead draw us towards true humility, forsaking our own human wisdom and desires to seek only what He teaches us through His Word. Let us obediently and simply submit ourselves to the Gospel, so that Jesus Christ may be glorified and heard among us without hindrance. May we be so humbled that we never seek exaltation except by His hand. May He grant this grace not only to us but to all people.
The Seventeenth Sermon, the Second on the Third
Chapter
"Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 3:7-9
I have previously discussed how Paul had two primary intentions in mind. Firstly, he aimed to illustrate that he was unquestionably chosen to proclaim the gospel worldwide, especially among the Gentiles. In the Church, no one should strive to seize authority; rather, it should be surrendered to God according to His eternal order. Adhering to this divine order is vital to prevent individuals from exalting themselves without a rightful calling. Therefore, it is of utmost significance to note that Paul sought to excuse any hasty actions on his part by emphasizing that he did not thrust himself into the role of an apostle but had the firm assurance that God had appointed him. Additionally, he endeavored to reassure the Gentiles that they should accept the message of their salvation as originating from God rather than from a mere mortal. We should always bear in mind that the forgiveness of sins is far too precious to rest solely on the authority of human beings. Instead, we must be thoroughly convinced that it is God who speaks, allowing us to firmly conclude that whatever is bound on Earth is also bound in heaven.
Considering Paul's past as an enemy of the gospel, one who persecuted Christians and blasphemed God, some might question receiving him as an
apostle and granting him due respect. Consequently, Paul addressed these concerns by asserting that the focus should not be on his individual characteristics or merits, but rather on God's elevation of him through His grace and an extraordinary power beyond the reach of ordinary men. While it is essential for individuals to humble themselves as much as possible, recognizing the freely bestowed goodness of God, we must also acknowledge that God's grace transcends all obstacles. Paul stressed that it is God's grace that bestows upon us all things, and we should refrain from boasting, acknowledging that we owe everything to Him.
Now, as Paul mentions in 2 Timothy that he serves as an example for others, we should apply the same principle to our own lives. When we beseech God for anything, we must comprehend that it flows from the wellspring of His boundless mercy and unmerited favor, setting aside any notion of entitlement. Furthermore, we should anticipate that God's benevolence can exceed our comprehension, for His infinite power surpasses our finite understanding. Consequently, for every blessing bestowed upon us by God, it is fitting that we respond with gratitude, exalting His goodness, and offering Him the praise that He rightfully deserves.
Drawing from Paul's example, we learn that we must humbly implore God to work within us solely by His grace, that His name may be glorified, recognizing that there is no inherent merit within us. We should harbor no doubt that God's power transcends our own capacities, enabling us to yield fully to His divine influence and not obstruct His work through doubt or unbelief. Once we have experienced His boundless mercy and limitless power, we should fully embrace these gifts and allow them to work within us to the best of our abilities.
We must refrain from seeking to overshadow His glory or boasting as though we have achieved excellence on our own merit, for everything we
receive is a gift from Him. Instead, we ought to render unto Him the honor and praise that are rightfully His alone. To elaborate on this point, Paul adds that this grace was extended to him, even to him, the least among all the saints, emphasizing the nature of this gracious gift.
It is important to recognize that if we intend to give God the reverence He deserves, we must approach Him in complete humility. As long as individuals attempt to claim any credit for themselves, it is as though they are setting themselves in opposition to God and assuming the role of their own judges. God can only receive His full due when we are entirely emptied of all self-importance. Thus, one cannot fully comprehend how St. Paul ascribed all things to God's grace and free gift without considering his previous state of unworthiness and reflecting on the kind of person he had been before.
This is a matter of great significance, as we often find it challenging to withhold something for ourselves. Even though we acknowledge God's deserving of eternal praise, it is often difficult for us to release all the accolades rightfully His. Our inclination toward vanity makes it a struggle to humble ourselves as deeply as God requires. God cannot receive the honor He rightfully deserves unless we are completely emptied of self and acknowledge that we possess nothing on our own. We must become like wretched beings, utterly devoid and dependent on God's boundless mercy.
In this manner, Paul offered genuine praise for all things to God's free gift without pretense, recognizing himself as the least among others. It is essential to note that Paul's humility was not a facade, which is often the case with many who claim to be the least while secretly harboring pride. Paul's humility was sincere, evident in his acknowledgment of his own unworthiness and his refusal to preserve his self-importance.
Furthermore, when Paul stated that he was unworthy even to be called an apostle due to his past actions, he demonstrated the authenticity of his
confession of being the least. He would have gladly endured the world's reproach rather than diminish God's goodness. His intent was for his teachings to endure for eternity, underscoring that God had appointed him as a witness to assure us of God's boundless generosity toward us.
Hence, we must present to God the offering of praise that He rightfully deserves by sincerely and steadfastly recognizing that all goodness within us emanates from His grace, generously bestowed upon us. We cannot lay claim to anything on our own, and upon careful examination, we will discover nothing but reasons to bow our heads in humility and contrition. Let us follow the example set by Paul and not allow spite or vanity to hinder us from humbling ourselves among our fellow human beings.
In summary, St. Paul emphasized his indebtedness to God's grace and humbled himself in comparison to the other apostles. We should endeavor to overcome our natural inclination to seek glory and recognition above others and instead embrace the humility exemplified by St. Paul. Jesus Christ's teachings remind us that those who aspire to be exalted by God must first lower themselves.
Let us willingly embrace humility and become like little children. When we do so, it is certain that God will extend His guiding hand to us. Even if He does not grant us grandeur or worldly dignity, He will provide us with what is necessary, as long as we humbly seek nothing more than to be led by His hand.
One might wonder how Paul could refer to himself as a "little one" when he had achieved more than all the others, as he mentioned in 1 Corinthians. Paul was not unaware of the gracious gifts he had received from God, nor did he feign ignorance of his knowledge or the gifts of the Holy Spirit. True humility does not lie in claiming, "I possess no skills, no merit worthy of praise." Instead, when we acknowledge God's blessings and offer Him glory, we should do so with hearts filled with gratitude.
Paul's description of himself as the least among saints related to his previous life before becoming a member of the Church. During his lifetime, Jesus had chosen and instructed the twelve apostles to spread the gospel throughout the world. In contrast, Paul had not been merely a private individual; he had been an outcast, severed from the community of the faithful. Driven by a misguided zeal, he had committed acts opposing God and His Church, acting in ignorance but without excuse.
Thus, Paul's confession of being the least among saints was a genuine reflection, particularly when viewed in the context of his former life. God, who not only uplifts the humble but also transforms them, had miraculously changed Paul. We should marvel at this transformation every time we contemplate it, magnifying the goodness of God and applying it to our own lives. While we should not dwell on our former state with the intention of returning to it, we should reflect upon it to recognize the greater glory of God's grace within us.
Now, let us direct our attention to the gracious gift that Paul speaks of—the proclamation of the incomparable riches of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gospel. It was significant that Paul had been transformed from a wolf to a sheep, but God deemed it insufficient. He elevated Paul to the role of a shepherd, signifying that he had not only changed from a cruel wolf to a humble lamb but had also been exalted to a higher and more profound calling as a herald of human salvation. Paul was entrusted with conveying the immeasurable riches of our Lord Jesus Christ, which transcend human understanding, not because we should refrain from seeking to comprehend them, but because they surpass our capacity to fully grasp.
We can now discern the profound significance of what St. Paul imparts here, building upon his initial point. It is essential to understand that he did not arrogantly thrust himself into the role of an apostle through foolish boldness. Rather, he was divinely called to this position, elevated by the
hand of God Himself. Furthermore, let us be assured that this doctrine was not presented haphazardly; it was guided by the Holy Spirit for a remarkable purpose that we will delve into shortly. Hence, we should not think that Paul's words were exclusively intended for those he taught in his time, with no relevance to us. Instead, we must recognize that it was God's design for this labor and teaching to extend to all, including us, who would encounter it. This is a crucial point to bear in mind as we explore the context of this text.
Whenever the gospel is proclaimed to us, it opens the door to immeasurable riches. Even if we apply our entire intellectual capacity to comprehend the blessings offered, we may gain some insight, but we will never fully fathom the extent of God's generosity toward us. Nonetheless, we should be profoundly moved by His goodness and hold it dear. While it may be true that we fear we will never completely grasp it, this should not deter us from pursuing it with fervor. Even if we detach ourselves from the allurements of the world and aspire to the heavenly kingdom, we will have merely scratched the surface of the inexhaustible riches of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This truth should deepen our appreciation for the gospel like never before. Conversely, it would be a grievous indictment of our ingratitude if we were to regard the truths presented in the Gospel as mundane, despite our Lord Jesus Christ revealing the boundless treasures of His goodness.
Furthermore, we must comprehend that once we have embraced our Lord Jesus Christ, we can confidently cast aside all other things as superfluous and redundant. If we, like some, merely mention Jesus Christ as our Redeemer but relegate Him to a lower status among other saints, we effectively diminish His significance. In such a case, we obscure Jesus Christ among lesser matters. Therefore, we must make a concerted effort to contemplate deeply on this text, which proclaims His riches as unfathomable. We should strive to fix our entire minds on this truth and
endeavor to grasp the breadth of the blessings bestowed upon us by Jesus Christ. It is certain that the bounds of our faith will never reach its utmost limits. Given this, we should firmly believe, as I mentioned earlier, that our Lord Jesus Christ should be sufficient for us once and for all. In Him, we will discover everything we could ever desire. As soon as we turn away from Him, we may suppose that we have found something worthwhile, but it will prove to be hollow and futile.
Hence, it is imperative that we recognize our Lord Jesus Christ for who He truly is, acknowledging the fullness of His blessings. Undoubtedly, through Him, we attain everything we could ever request from the hand of God. To seek elsewhere is to tread a misguided path, for He has unequivocally declared Himself as the way, the exclusive route through which we gain access to God the Father. By framing His role as that of a guide leading us to God the Father, He provides us with the unwavering assurance that in Him, we will find complete satisfaction for all our needs and secure our salvation through wholehearted trust.
Conversely, when we deviate from this path, whether to the left or the right, we unmistakably reject the manifold benefits offered to us through His divine person. We would indeed merit spiritual destitution should we turn anywhere else for our needs instead of placing unwavering reliance on our Lord Jesus Christ. God has unveiled His boundless benevolence through Him, meticulously considering every facet of our happiness, joy, and ultimate glory.
Let us also draw profound lessons from the example of St. Paul. As God elevates any of us, we should correspondingly humble ourselves, recognizing our profound indebtedness to Him. This principle applies not only to those who might consider themselves as trailing behind others but also to those who bask in positions of prominence. All who find themselves identified as God's children, heirs to His kingdom, and integral members of
our Lord Jesus Christ's body, sharing in the glory He has entered into, possess an indelible privilege. Even the Christian who might be perceived as an underprivileged outcast in the eyes of the world is adopted by God into His heavenly family, becoming an indispensable part of our Lord Jesus Christ's body. Thus, even the humblest among us has substantial cause to extol God's boundless grace.
However, those who have been exalted to positions of honor have an even more compelling obligation to offer due reverence to God for His bountiful bestowments that have raised them above others. For example, someone endowed with knowledge and grace to serve the church bears twofold responsibility if they do not acknowledge their heightened debt to God. Similarly, those who, by their strength or wisdom, possess the capability to achieve more than their less fortunate counterparts must approach God with profound humility. They should guard against the swell of pride or arrogance, tirelessly striving to maintain a posture of humility. As each individual receives divine grace through God's abundant goodness, their paramount focus should eternally be to honor God and acknowledge the augmented obligation to Him for His lavish benevolence. This, too, is a pivotal lesson we can glean from the exemplary life of St. Paul.
However, as we delve into the discussion of the incomprehensible riches of Jesus Christ, it's essential to clarify that these riches were unveiled when God's mysteries were proclaimed to those who once dwelled in spiritual blindness. Previously, I expounded on the significance of the term "mystery" as employed by St. Paul in this context. Essentially, all the works of God, when scrutinized with care, have the potential to fill us with wonder. And why is this? It's because they originate from His righteousness, justice, goodness, and wisdom, all of which are concepts of unfathomable depth. When we contemplate God's wisdom, power, or justice, we must recognize that we cannot encapsulate them with definitions as we might do with tangible phenomena in the physical world. God's
works, when examined from their divine source, inevitably inspire awe within us.
Consider the myriad phenomena we observe in the natural order—are they not also God's handiwork? Indeed, they are. However, while we may possess a partial understanding of these natural occurrences, our comprehension remains incomplete. For instance, if we were asked how the earth yields its bountiful crops, we might offer some knowledge owing to the commonplace nature of the phenomenon. But should we delve into the underlying causes, our human intellect falters. Can the earth, in isolation, yield such abundant produce? Can it, on its own, revive the seemingly lifeless trees, adorning them with leaves and blossoms once more after the harsh grasp of winter has left them barren? How is it that fruits, grains, and wine provide sustenance to humanity when they themselves lack the essence of life? When we probe the depths of the rationale behind God's wondrous works, we find ourselves peering into an unfathomable abyss. We must humbly concede that God possesses a wisdom beyond our finite reach. Nevertheless, God's works become even more marvelous to us when we encounter causes that surpass the boundaries of our natural intellect and understanding.
For instance, consider the divine decree that willed the sudden proclamation of the Gospel throughout the world. From our limited human perspective, this might appear as a perplexing course of action. Some might question why God chose to extend the call of salvation to the Gentiles, seemingly after having excluded them previously. Reflect upon the world, which endured for an extensive period until the flood brought about its renewal. During this time, God permitted pagan nations to persist in their wayward paths, even as wickedness reached its zenith, inundating the world like a fearsome deluge. Then, unexpectedly, God manifested Himself in an extraordinary manner. Is this not a matter that elicits profound astonishment? To the wicked, to those who spurn God, and to those
ensnared by worldly concerns, these events might appear bewildering, so far removed from their grasp that they may even contemplate legal action against God. However, believers are taught to discern that God's wisdom transcends the boundaries of human comprehension.