THE AGES TO COME

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of
works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:4-9)

Devotion 12 of 17

EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE

God has determined that the "exceeding riches" of His grace will be displayed throughout the "ages to come." The "riches of His grace" are "incomparable" (NIV) and "surpassing" (NASB). The "ages to come" have been chosen as the arena in which the RICHES of God's grace will be most fully displayed. Note it well, not merely the grace of God, which is marvelous of itself, but the RICHES of that grace.

Coming from the word ploutos (ploo'-tos), "riches" mean "wealth (as fulness) . . . abundance, richness . . . valuable bestowment:--riches." The thoroughness and complete adequacy of God's grace are being expounded in our salvation--and it will continue to be expounded in the ages to come. When Jesus said "my grace is sufficient for thee" (2 Cor 12:9), He revealed a startling aspect of His Person. Grace is peculiarly an aspect of Deity. While, in Christ, we possess grace, it is borrowed from Him; we have none of our own.

The execution of Divine intent is made possible by the grace of God. This is an aspect of the Lord that systematized theology fails to grasp. It can speak of the Omniscience of God (all knowingness), and His Omnipresence (unhindered by time or space). The Omnipotence of God (all powerful) also sets Him apart from all personalities. As great and indispensable as these Divine qualities are, they are not the targets of Divine exposition! When God chose to unfold an aspect of His Person, He chose His grace. Because of the greatness of that quality, the "ages to come" are required as the arena for its fuller exposition.

Grace must be seen as the most advantageous and productive quality of God. For some, this might be difficult to receive, but it is still so. God has a propensity to be loving and kind. That, in my understanding, is what makes His grace so abundantly adequate. He pours more of Himself into those who receive His grace. They become adequate because they are more closely knit to "the God of all grace" (1 Pet 5:10). Constrained by Divine love, yet as an act of their own will, they have chosen the Person of God above everything else.

"Riches" imply abundance more than value; although worth is surely involved. The traditional definition of grace (unmerited favor), has diminished the abundant nature of God's grace. Though not necessarily so, this view of Divine favor emphasizes what we have been delivered from rather than what we have come to. You will note, our text declares that during the "ages to come" God will "show" the abundant riches of His grace. Grace brings capacities to humanity that will engage the minds of heavenly intelligences throughout eternity, as well as the most prodigious thinkers in the realm of time! That is how "rich" the grace of God is!

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, bring me into a fuller realization and experience of the richness of Your grace.

-- TOMORROW: EXPRESSED IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US --