God's economy and Christians' consecration
Hymn enjoyment this week: #1, #2, #3
Making known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Himself, unto the economy of the fullness of the times, to head up all things in Christ, ... (Ephesians 1:9-10)
So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (Ephesians 2:19)
Monday key point: Christians who love the Lord must understand God's plan and arrangement - God's economy.
And to enlighten all that they may see what the economy of the mystery is, which throughout the ages has been hidden in God, who created all things, in order that now to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenlies the multifarious wisdom of God might be made known through the church, according to the eternal purpose which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord, (Ephesians 3:9-11)
Tuesday key point: The center of God's work throughout the generations is to complete His eternal economy. His economy is to dispense Himself in His Trinity into His chosen people to produce the church as God's kingdom, which will issue in the ultimate expression - New Jerusalem.
And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us (and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only Begotten from the Father), full of grace and reality. (John 1:14)
"The first man, Adam, became a living soul''; the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit. (1 Corinthians 15:45)
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been manifested what we will be. We know that if He is manifested, we will be like Him because we will see Him even as He is. (1 John 3:2)
Wednesday key point: God became a Man. Then He became the life-giving Spirit to dispense Himself as life into men for His eternal economy.
For you have been bought with a price. So then glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:20)
For the love of Christ constrains us because we have judged this, that One died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all that those who live may no longer live to themselves but to Him who died for them and has been raised. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
I exhort you therefore, brothers, through the compassions of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)
Thursday key point: God loves us, so He paid a hefty price to purchase us back. Hence, we ought to love Him back by consecrating ourselves to Him for His economy.
And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'' This is the great and first commandment. (Matthew 22:37-38)
And truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman has done shall also be told as a memorial of her. (Mark 14:9)
Friday key point: We need to love the Lord with all our heart and with all our soul, just like Mary. This is a noble deed.
...all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
But as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which have not come up in man's heart; things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'' (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Whom having not seen, you love; into whom though not seeing Him at present, yet believing, you exult with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory, (1 Peter 1:8)
Saturday key point: Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruptibility.