So much of life can begin to feel defining—our work, our family, what we have, what we hope to accomplish, or even the circumstances that are shaking around us. But in Ephesians 1:8–10, Paul lifts our eyes above all of those things to the eternal purpose of God in Jesus Christ. The Father has determined that His Son will have the preeminence. Everything was created by Him and for Him, He holds all things together, He is the Head of the church, and God is moving all of history toward the day when all things will be gathered together in Christ. His supremacy is not something we give Him; it is who He is. And when we begin to see Christ as the Father reveals Him, we cannot go on living as though we are our own master. Our lives, our work, and the things God has given us to do are to be lived for the One who is supreme above all.
The greatness of Christ is seen in what He has accomplished. He died, He was buried, and He rose again the third day. Death could not hold Him. At Calvary He broke Satan’s bondage, and one day even the presence of sin that still troubles the believer will be gone forever. This is the Christ whom the Father has “abounded toward us” in grace. The greatest expression of God’s grace is not merely an answered need, a good report, or a changed circumstance—as good as those gifts may be. The greatest expression of His grace is that He has given us His Son. What Adam brought upon humanity through sin, Christ overcomes for those who are brought into union with Him. Jesus is not simply enough to get us by or carry us over the next difficulty. He is totally sufficient in every way.
That truth becomes especially precious when life begins to shake. The believer’s circumstances do not have to become the defining reality of his life, because something greater is already true: he is in Christ. One day the temporal things that seemed so important will fade, and we will see more fully the greatness of the Savior we belong to now. If you find yourself looking to your circumstances, accomplishments, relationships, or anything else for the stability and satisfaction that only Christ can give, this message from Ephesians 1 invites you to look again at the Son—to see His supremacy, the overflowing grace of God in giving Him to us, and the glory of what it means to be united with Christ.