Ephesians 1:14 (ESV)
[14] who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire
possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Twice in the first fourteen verses of this letter the phrase “to the praise
of his glory” is used (Eph 1:12, 14). Once the phrase “to the praise of his
glorious grace” is used (Eph 1:6). The World has called God narcissistic, creating
us only so that we will tell him how great he is. But that misses the point
entirely. We praise his glorious grace because, “In love he predestined us for
adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of
his will” (Eph 1: 4-5). His glory is praised because he made it possible for us
to obtain an inheritance as sons of God and is working that out by sealing us
with his Holy Spirit. His grace and his glory are praised not because he needs
our worship, but because he loves us despite our rebellion.“To the praise of his glory” could mean that the praise of his glory is his goal, or it could mean that the praise of his glory is the result of his redeeming, adopting, and sealing us. His glory is revealed in his grace. His grace is praised because he has poured it out upon us when we did not deserve it. Yes, life is all about Him, but it is in Him that we find our greatest good. It is in Him that we find wholeness, healing, empowerment, and life. Worship of God is not slavery. Worship of God is not the goal of a narcissistic god. Worship is the natural result of God loving us deeply and unconditionally. As the new year approaches, may we understand more and more deeply how much God loves us and to what lengths he has gone to express that love. Yes, it is all “to the praise of his glorious grace” (Eph 1:6).
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