The Hope of His Calling Pt. 2

November 9th, 2022
by Josh Strelecki

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
{Ephesians 1:3-18}

The hope of His calling is simply the description of God’s counsel and cause for His invitation in view of that counsel. The expression, “the hope of His calling” doesn’t provide the detail of His future excellence. Rather the expression leaves us hoping for more. It leaves us wanting to “know” what it is. Without revelation and then doctrinal declaration of the hope of His calling we will not know the hope of His calling. You do not know what you do not know. Yet now we know we do not know and hopefully you want to know what you now know is something you don’t know. Where do we go to get this knowledge. Not the natural man. Not within ourselves or the world. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither entered in the heart of man God’s things. Only by His Spirit revealing the spirit of God, that is, the deep things of God, that is, God’s hidden wisdom ordained for our glory before the world. Such things ordained within God, to be executed by God, prepared for those that love Him are freely given to us of God that we might know them by revelation of the Spirit of God. Hence, Paul’s prayer, “know what is the hope of His calling”. What does Paul see? What will the hope of His calling provide the Ephesians? What is contained in God’s hope of His calling? Hope provides stability, comfort, and strength. Hope maketh not ashamed. Hope is an anchor of the soul. Hope provides confidence. Hope intertwined with faith is the substance of things to come. With hope comes joy. Hope is fed by the knowledge of God and abounds by understanding the wisdom of God; that is, what He has purposed, how He works it out, and its fulness to Himself. So, knowing the hope of His calling isn’t knowledge of the fruits of hope or how it works, but the substance of hope. When we know the hope of His calling such fruits of hope intensify, strengthen, and abound in joy and good works. When we know the hope of His calling the fruits of hope anchor the soul in confidence and consolation to endure afflictions, tribulations, and persecutions. The hope of His calling is dynamic granting an ocean of fulness for our soul to drink in. The hope of His calling is spiritual Goshen where there is light and refuge although there is darkness and judgment without.

The hope of His calling is His family and government. The hope of His calling is fellowship and communion experienced in intimacy and privilege. The hope of the Father’s calling provided by the redemption through His Son’s blood unleashes the riches of His grace toward those in Christ, those in the Beloved. The hope of the Father’s calling is that we be holy and without blame before Him in love. Thus, Christ is our righteousness and sanctification that we may be the righteousness and holiness of God in Him. Such righteousness and holiness aren’t cold and rigid, but in love. Such future eternal abiding in His presence, such being before Him is and forever wilt be “in love”. In what way are we to know this “love”; that is, as children within His family divine. His predestination of us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself isn’t only planned by His grace, but genesised by His good pleasure. The planning of His grace from the deep reservoir of His will, yea, the good pleasure of His will is, at least, a warming sentiment and, at best, to the praise of His glory. To be part of the whole family of God as not servant, but child, yea His son and daughter is part of the hope of His calling.

The hope of His calling isn’t only family, but government in the kingdom of God and Christ. Family communion will be carried out in the heritage of His eternal kingdom, the kingdom of light. The Father’s hope will be our privilege to exercise the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, that He bestows, toward one another to the praise of His glory.

Look Up,
Josh Strelecki, Pastor-Teacher

Posted in Hope
Posted in hope