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To Him Be Glory

                        Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21)

                It seems to me that when I hear someone talk about this passage, it goes something like this: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Amen.” Even if I’m the someone. It’s natural and normal in our fallen world to turn to our benefit and forget about the details.

                Then, when something good does happen, it’s not unusual for us to say something like “to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” After all, thanking someone for a gift is polite. It finishes the transaction. We’ve earned the gift. Of course, that’s not the way it really works, but that’s the trend.

                The problem is that this passage never promises that God will do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. It says only that He can. Since He can, he may, but He doesn’t have to. More importantly, He doesn’t have to do it to be worthy of the glory described. He is worthy regardless. 

    

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