As a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth (Eph 1:10).
Everybody has contingencies. We've all got backup plans.
Not God. Paul tells us that God has one plan. Plan A. And that plan's name is Jesus. There is no Plan B.
In Christ, He has "a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth" (v10).
He'll pull the trigger on that plan at just the right time. He has just the One for the assignment. And when it's all said and done, everything will be good as new. That's His plan.
There is no Plan B.
We see that God has a very specific plan. Paul uses the Greek word οικονομια/oikonomia. It describes a task, work, responsibility, assignment, as well as a plan or arrangement.
God has a divine plan. The man from Tarsus knew that full well. He had his own divine assignment to tell non-Jews about Jesus (Eph 3:2-6; Col 1:25-27).
The Trinity didn't cook up some last minute scheme to fix what we had jacked up through our sin. They had a plan in place from "before the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4).
God pre-loved us and "predestined us" long before we were ever a gleam in our parents' eye (Eph 1:5).
Our sin didn't catch Him by surprise. He had a plan. A very specific plan. To unite everything back together. To reassemble His broken creation.
And He had just the Person for the job. Jesus. His Son. Second Person of the Trinity.
This was His divine assignment. This was His specific task. Christ would leave the comforts of His heavenly paradise and step into the sinful sewer we call humanity.
He would be the Fixer. He would be the Repairer. He would be the Uniter. God had a plan. Jesus had an assignment.
God has a divine plan. The man from Tarsus knew that full well. He had his own divine assignment to tell non-Jews about Jesus (Eph 3:2-6; Col 1:25-27).
The Trinity didn't cook up some last minute scheme to fix what we had jacked up through our sin. They had a plan in place from "before the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4).
God pre-loved us and "predestined us" long before we were ever a gleam in our parents' eye (Eph 1:5).
Our sin didn't catch Him by surprise. He had a plan. A very specific plan. To unite everything back together. To reassemble His broken creation.
And He had just the Person for the job. Jesus. His Son. Second Person of the Trinity.
This was His divine assignment. This was His specific task. Christ would leave the comforts of His heavenly paradise and step into the sinful sewer we call humanity.
He would be the Fixer. He would be the Repairer. He would be the Uniter. God had a plan. Jesus had an assignment.
Do you have a plan? Plans aren't a bad thing. Some folks think plans shut out the Holy Spirit.
But here's the deal, the Spirit can work just as well in the planning process as He can when we carry out our plan. He can guide us ahead of time. He can help us prepare.
God had a plan. He carried it out. Because God created us in His image, it's probably not a bad idea for you and I to have a plan too.
A plan for our own lives. A plan for our careers. A plan to read the Bible. A plan reach others with the Gospel.
Now I certainly need be ready for God's Spirit to tweak my plan (and even toss it in the trash if need be!). But as the old saying goes, a failing to plan is a planning to fail.
Paul makes it very clear that God didn't drop the ball on this one.
But here's the deal, the Spirit can work just as well in the planning process as He can when we carry out our plan. He can guide us ahead of time. He can help us prepare.
God had a plan. He carried it out. Because God created us in His image, it's probably not a bad idea for you and I to have a plan too.
A plan for our own lives. A plan for our careers. A plan to read the Bible. A plan reach others with the Gospel.
Now I certainly need be ready for God's Spirit to tweak my plan (and even toss it in the trash if need be!). But as the old saying goes, a failing to plan is a planning to fail.
Paul makes it very clear that God didn't drop the ball on this one.
God's timing is perfect. He's never early. He's never late. He's always right on time.
His plan unfolds "in the fullness of time" (v10). Not early. Not late. Right on time.
It's easy to second guess His timing. It's been one of humanity's favorite past times for thousands of years.
King David continually questioned "how long?" (Ps 6:3; 13:1-2; 35:17; 62:3; ). So did Asaph (Ps 74:10; 79:5; 80:4; 82:2).
Other psalmists sang the same tune (Ps 89:46; 90:13; 94:3). Jeremiah pleaded with God to act right here, right now (Jer 4:21; 12:4).
Habakkuk begged the LORD to not wait another moment (Hab 1:2).
But notice one thing about each of these folks. They went straight to God with their complaint. Even in the middle of the storm they trusted in the One who had the plan.
They knew He had no Plan B.
His plan unfolds "in the fullness of time" (v10). Not early. Not late. Right on time.
It's easy to second guess His timing. It's been one of humanity's favorite past times for thousands of years.
King David continually questioned "how long?" (Ps 6:3; 13:1-2; 35:17; 62:3; ). So did Asaph (Ps 74:10; 79:5; 80:4; 82:2).
Other psalmists sang the same tune (Ps 89:46; 90:13; 94:3). Jeremiah pleaded with God to act right here, right now (Jer 4:21; 12:4).
Habakkuk begged the LORD to not wait another moment (Hab 1:2).
But notice one thing about each of these folks. They went straight to God with their complaint. Even in the middle of the storm they trusted in the One who had the plan.
They knew He had no Plan B.
God's plan has been unfolding right on schedule from the very beginning. Jesus showed up right on time. "When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son" (Gal 4:4).
Jesus was always right on schedule while He walked the earth. Even when He seemed to be late in helping His buddy Lazarus, He was actually right on time (Jn 11:4).
At the perfect time, He came and lived the perfect life we could never live.
At the perfect time, He came and died the brutal death that we should have died.
At the perfect time, He rose from the grave to the new life that we don't deserve.
At each point along the way, Jesus was and is right on time. Jesus is Plan A.
Jesus was always right on schedule while He walked the earth. Even when He seemed to be late in helping His buddy Lazarus, He was actually right on time (Jn 11:4).
At the perfect time, He came and lived the perfect life we could never live.
At the perfect time, He came and died the brutal death that we should have died.
At the perfect time, He rose from the grave to the new life that we don't deserve.
At each point along the way, Jesus was and is right on time. Jesus is Plan A.
There is no Plan B.
Jesus isn't finished. He's not done. He's coming back to wrap up the job. He's promised to finish what He's doing in you and in me (Phil 1:6).
He's coming back to rule and reign in person (1Cor 15:27-28; Phil 2:10-11).
And He's not just returning to renovate what we've broken. He's bringing a new heaven. A new earth. A new Jerusalem.
And they're united just like He promised. Literally, heaven on earth. That's the plan. That's God's Plan A in Jesus.
He's coming back to rule and reign in person (1Cor 15:27-28; Phil 2:10-11).
And He's not just returning to renovate what we've broken. He's bringing a new heaven. A new earth. A new Jerusalem.
And they're united just like He promised. Literally, heaven on earth. That's the plan. That's God's Plan A in Jesus.
There is no Plan B.
©2013
Jay Jennings
©2013
Jay Jennings
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