HIS GOOD PLEASURE

" . . . according to His good pleasure, which He has purposed in Himself." (Ephesians 1:9, NKJV)

ANOTHER VERSION READS, "according to His kind intention" (NASB). That is, this was a purpose in which God Himself found great pleasure. His is a higher level of Divine will. For example, God takes no delight in "the death of the wicked" (Ezek 33:11), even though He must often take their lives. In fact, God declares, "I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies" (Ezek 18:32, NASB). Also, He "is not willing that any should perish" 2 Pet 3:9), even though He will consign some to perdition. Additionally, even though God commanded the sacrifices under the Law, He is pointedly said to have had "no pleasure" in them (Heb 10:6). The Lord has, indeed, done and commanded things that did not bring Him personal satisfaction and joy.

THE PURPOSE MENTIONED in our text is one which greatly pleases the Lord. It is because it will accomplish the results He desires – things that will bring joy to His heart. God's "good pleasure" is mentioned six times in Scripture. All of them speak of blessing.

1. The Psalmist pled with the Lord, "Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion" (Psa 51:18).

2. Jesus told His disciples, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).

3. The determination to adopt us as His children is traced back to God's "good pleasure" (Eph 1:5).

4. Our text affirms the Lord has made known the mystery of His will according to His own "good pleasure" (Eph 1:9).

5, After exhorting us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, the Spirit adds a most excellent incentive: "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13).

6. The will of God for His people is declared in most arresting words. They challenge both heart and mind. "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power" (2 Thess 1:11).

I AM SHOWING HERE that Divine purpose is most often associated with benefit and blessing. When God called Abraham, it was to "bless" him and the world through him (Gen 12:1-3). When He sent Jesus, it was to "to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities" (Acts 3:26). This is speaking of God's "good pleasure."

JEREMIAH CAPTURED THE SENSE of goodness that characterizes Divine purpose. "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope" (Jer 29:11, NASB). That is not a general statement made to every person – like God having a wonderful plan for your life. Take Pharaoh as an example. Instad of telling him He had a wonderful plan for his life, God told him, "And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee My power; and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth" (Ex 9:16; Rom 9:17).

THOSE WHO HAVE A HEART for "the will of God" have been assured it is good, and acceptable, and perfect (Rom 12:2). As it is written, "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psa 84:11).

" . . . WHICH HE HATH PURPOSED IN HIMSELF ." Other versions read, "which He purposed in Him" (NASB), "which He purposed in Christ" (NIV), and "which He set forth in Christ" (NRSV). As you can see, some versions present God as purposing within Himself, while others have Him purposing in Christ Jesus. Both views are true. God conceived this plan of Himself. He also set it forth, as the NRSV reads, "in Christ Jesus" – the appointed means through which the purpose would be implemented.

THE CENTRALITY OF CHRIST in every aspect of salvation, therefore, is quite apparent. However, the thrust of this particular verse is not the means by which God's will is implemented and made known. The idea is that God's purpose was not developed within the framework of consultation. It was not the result of a request from earth. This purpose originated in His mind, and therefore is called "His own purpose" (2 Tim 1:9). Now He has revealed what He had purposed. Also, because "the eternal God" (Deut 33:27) conceived this purpose, it is called an "eternal purpose" (Eph 3:11).

THROUGHOUT THE SCRIPTURES, the Spirit makes clear that this marvelous purpose has to do with the display of God's grace in the salvation of men. In this salvation God has purposed to make Himself more fully known than He has at any other time. It is therefore in order for us to look for great things from God in Christ Jesus – great things that clarify the nature and will of Almighty God. They are things that accrue to His glory and magnify His goodness. A religion characterized by smallness and minuscule understanding is not from God. It is a fabrication of the devil, and will inevitably pull men away from God and His great salvation.

– Given O. Blakely