14. Purpose of his will.

There are eternal purposes behind the mysterious will of God and he plans everything in conformity with these purposes. ‘In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.’ – (Ephesians 1:11) God’s purposes in Christ, as revealed in Scriptures, are as follows:-

1. To reconcile all things to himself: God desired to make peace with all creation. ‘For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Christ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.’ – (Colossians 1:19-20)

2. To bring everything under one head: God desired to restore order to creation. ‘And he has made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to put into effect when times would have reached their fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.’ – (Ephesians 1:9-10)

3. To dwell together with men: God desired not only to dwell with men in their hearts by his Spirit but also to physically dwell with his creation. ‘And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men and he will live with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God.”‘ – (Revelation 21:3) Amen.