Thursday, January 7, 2016

Economics


. . . with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.
-------
. . . with a view εἰς οἰκονομίαν suitable to the fullness of the times . . .
(Eph. 1:10)

. . . the οἰκονομίαν of God’s grace which was given to me for you . . .
(Eph. 3:2)

. . . the οἰκονομίαν from God bestowed on me for your benefit . . .
(Col. 1:25)
-------

An economy does not happen without a transfer of substance. The same holds true for church and ministry. The words rendered in Greek above are the root word we use today for "economy."

In this case the "substance" is the forgiveness of sins obtained by Christ Jesus and distributed bodily through preaching, Baptism, and Supper, yea, even more, in and through Christ Himself, who in the fulness of time took the sin of the world upon Himself, was crucified, and is now risen so that He now also raises up all who believe on His Name.

This is not a matter of feelings or emotion, per se, any more than the sun rises on account of our feelings. It is simply the nature of God to call all human flesh back to Himself in repentance and faith, because He desires nothing less than to be our Father.
+ + +