Praise, Glory, & Grace

Ephesians 1:1-6, one of the most encouraging brief passages in all the post-Pentecost scriptures. And particularly v. 6: “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

“accepted in the beloved.”  What a wonderful description of what it is to be in the Family of God.

“praise” Greek: epainos.  A lauding, commendation, something praiseworthy. Just think of what God says all in vs. 3-5 lead to His declaration here,

And all the praise is for God. What He has done. Amen.

“glory”  Greek:doxa.  Testimony, testifying, ascribing to God His full recognition, the revelation of His essential deity.

Now notice…Holy Spirit has drawn all the testifying in the previous verses to a point of accurately identifying it was God Who has done all of it, God Who deserves the praise, God Who deserves the glory.

“grace”  Greek: charis.  God’s doing. The Grace of God. His Grace. Everything a Saint possesses Spiritually is of the Grace of God. 100% God, 0% Saint.

Over and over Scripture is plain and clear. Not of our doing/works…lest we should boast. Besides, our original spiritual life has been crucified, removed. God is our only Spiritual Life, Eternal Life. How could we even think of wanting or receiving any praise or glory? And one of the best benefits of God doing all Spiritual things through us is this: we don’t have to, we get to enjoy His doing it.

Praise. Glory. Grace. Amen.