Ephesians 1:12

that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:12 NKJV).

It would be easy to read over this area of Scripture and think that the phrase, “we who first trusted in Christ” is meant for the believers of the first church.  That would be true, but not complete.  The Word of God is living and active which means that it speaks to every age, not just the one in which the Spirit penned it.  So, as we consider this phrase in our own current time frame, we begin to get a more intimate meaning from the text.

I may not have been the first to believe in Christ chronologically, but I am the first of my immediate family to believe in Him.  You also were not part of the first century church, but were you the first in your family, or at your work place, or in your classroom, or at your job?  Whatever area the Lord shows you that you have been first to believe, it is one of the areas in which you will be to the “praise of God’s glory.”  This is an incredibly hopeful promise to those of us who have spent years testifying to the rest of our “world” who have not yet believed.  It means that our efforts are not in vain because as this verse points out, our conversion was purposed for the praise of His glory.   God is going to use our life and witness to highlight His plans and purposes. 

The catch becomes in the reality that God gets the most praise and glory in my life when I am either in over my head in what I’m trying to do in life or when I am going through a trial with an attitude of faith.  Are you currently sinking in a situation?  Are you struggling in a difficult circumstance?  This verse tells us to take heart because there is a divine reason and it will become apparent to everyone in God’s timing.

There are many people watching our lives right now – up close.  How we respond to the curve balls we’ve gotten since arriving on Maui are being closely scrutinized.  I am ever more grateful for the depth of experience we have had prior to Maui so that we can allow God to use our faith in Christ to bring Him praise and glory.  

Today I will reevaluate and make note of why I am here in the light of this truth. 

Check out Gennarino's devotional on this same verse at: http://pastor-gennarino.blogspot.com/2014/04/ephesians-112.html