THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Ephesians 3:1-13
Key Verse: “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Ephesians 3:11 (KJV)
Supporting Texts: Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 46:9-10; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28-30; Romans 11:33-36; Ephesians 1:3-12; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 3:8-11; 2 Timothy 1:9-10.
Description: This message examines God's eternal purpose in Jesus Christ, showing how His redemptive plan, sovereign wisdom, and calling for believers give meaning to our lives and direction to our service.
INTRODUCTION
God is a God of purpose. He does not act carelessly, plan without wisdom, or begin a work without understanding its intended outcome. From creation to redemption, the Scriptures reveal a God who works according to His perfect counsel. Human plans may fail, circumstances may change, and earthly kingdoms may rise and fall, but God's eternal purpose remains secure. Isaiah 46:10 declares that He makes known the end from the beginning and that His counsel shall stand.
In Ephesians 3:11, Paul declares that the mystery of Christ and the inclusion of believing Jews and Gentiles in one body are according to God's eternal purpose, which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. This means that the coming of Christ and the salvation He accomplished were not accidental developments. God's redemptive plan was rooted in His eternal wisdom and was revealed through Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, God provided the way for sinful humanity to be reconciled to Him and for people from every nation to become partakers of His saving grace.
Understanding God's eternal purpose helps believers live with confidence, patience, and commitment. We are not called merely to exist, pursue earthly achievements, or satisfy personal ambitions. We are called to know Christ, become like Him, serve His purpose, and proclaim His gospel. Although we may not understand every circumstance we encounter, we can trust God's character and remain faithful to His revealed Word. Our responsibility is to seek His will, obey His instructions, and allow Him to fulfil His purpose in and through us.
1. GOD'S PURPOSE IS ETERNAL AND UNCHANGING
The eternal purpose of God originates in His own wisdom and sovereign will. Unlike human beings, God does not need to revise His ultimate plan because He has discovered something He did not know. His knowledge is complete, His wisdom is perfect, and His purposes are established according to His divine counsel.
This does not mean that every event occurring in the world is morally approved by God. Human beings remain responsible for their choices, and evil is not transformed into goodness simply because God can work amid its consequences. Rather, the Scriptures assure us that no opposition can finally overthrow God's ultimate redemptive purpose.
a) God's purpose existed before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5)
Paul explains that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world and predestined believers unto adoption through Jesus Christ. This reveals the greatness of God's eternal plan and the central place of Christ in redemption.
Our salvation is not an afterthought. God has acted according to His gracious purpose in Christ. This should produce gratitude and humility rather than pride. We have no reason to boast as though we independently earned God's favour; instead, we should respond to His grace with faith, obedience, and thanksgiving.
b) God's counsel will stand (Isaiah 46:9-10)
God declares that He makes known the end from the beginning and that His counsel shall stand. Human beings often make plans without knowing what tomorrow will bring, but God possesses perfect knowledge and authority.
When your circumstances change unexpectedly, remember that God is not surprised. You may need to adjust your plans, seek counsel, or take a different practical step, but you can continue to trust His faithfulness. Your confidence must rest not in the assumption that everything will happen as you wish, but in the certainty that God remains wise and faithful.
c) God's purpose is accomplished through His perfect wisdom (Ephesians 1:11)
Paul writes that God works all things according to the counsel of His own will. This points to God's sovereign ability to accomplish His purposes in accordance with His wisdom.
We do not always understand the methods God permits or the timing of His answers. Nevertheless, we can seek His guidance and obey what He has revealed. Instead of interpreting every delay as rejection or every difficulty as failure, learn to wait upon the Lord while taking responsible steps of faith.
d) God's purpose cannot finally be defeated by human opposition (Job 42:2)
Job acknowledged that God could do everything and that no purpose of His could be withheld from Him. Job spoke these words after experiencing profound suffering and coming to a deeper understanding of God's greatness.
This truth encourages us to remain faithful when we encounter resistance. It does not promise that every personal ambition will succeed or that believers will escape suffering. It assures us that human opposition cannot overthrow God's ultimate purpose. Therefore, we must pursue what God has truly commanded rather than assume that every desire we have is automatically His plan.
Biblical Example: Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 50:19-21)
Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, and he endured false accusation and imprisonment. Years later, God raised him to a position where he could preserve many lives during a famine. Joseph recognised that God had brought good out of the evil his brothers intended. His story demonstrates that God can work through painful circumstances to accomplish a larger purpose without approving the wrongdoing of those who caused the suffering.
2. JESUS CHRIST IS THE CENTRE OF GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE
Ephesians 3:11 explicitly identifies Jesus Christ as the One in whom God's eternal purpose is established. Christianity cannot be properly understood apart from Him. He is not merely an example of moral excellence or a teacher of religious truth; He is the Son of God through whom redemption is accomplished.
God's eternal purpose is revealed through Christ's incarnation, sacrificial death, resurrection, and exaltation. Through Him, sinners can be forgiven, reconciled to God, and brought into a new relationship with their Creator. Every Christian ministry and every biblical understanding of God's purpose must therefore remain centred on Jesus.
a) Christ was central to God's plan of redemption (1 Peter 1:18-20)
Peter teaches that believers were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, who was foreordained before the foundation of the world but manifested in these last times. The saving work of Jesus was part of God's purpose before it was revealed in history.
The cross was not an accidental tragedy that God had to repair. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God provided the way for sinners to be reconciled to Himself. This truth should strengthen our confidence in the gospel and move us to proclaim Christ faithfully.
b) Christ came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)
Jesus declared that the Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost. His earthly ministry demonstrated God's concern for sinners and His determination to provide salvation.
No person should conclude that his or her life is beyond the reach of God's saving grace. The gospel calls every sinner to repent and believe in Jesus Christ. At the same time, believers must avoid using God's grace as an excuse for sin; genuine faith leads us towards repentance, obedience, and a transformed life.
c) Christ reconciles us to the Father (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
Paul explains that God has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ and has given believers the ministry of reconciliation. Through Christ, God deals with the barrier of sin and brings those who believe into a restored relationship with Himself.
Because we have received reconciliation, we must become messengers of reconciliation. We should proclaim forgiveness through Christ and pursue peace in our relationships wherever possible. We must also remember that reconciliation with God comes through Jesus, not through human goodness or religious achievement.
d) Christ will ultimately bring all things under God's authority (Ephesians 1:9-10)
Paul reveals God's purpose to gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth. This points to God's ultimate plan for the ordering of all things under the authority of Jesus Christ.
The world may appear chaotic, and evil may seem powerful in particular seasons, but Christ's authority remains supreme. Believers can live with hope because God's final purpose is greater than the temporary struggles of this present age. Our responsibility is to remain faithful to Christ while awaiting the fulfilment of His purposes.
Biblical Example: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Luke 24:1-8, 44-47)
Jesus had told His disciples that He would suffer, die, and rise again. When the women discovered the empty tomb, the angels reminded them of His words. Later, Jesus explained that His suffering and resurrection fulfilled the Scriptures and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations. The resurrection demonstrates that God's redemptive purpose was accomplished through Christ and that the gospel must be proclaimed throughout the world.
3. GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE INCLUDES THE SALVATION OF PEOPLE FROM EVERY NATION
One of the great revelations in Ephesians 3 is that God's eternal purpose includes bringing believing Jews and Gentiles into one body through Christ. The blessings of salvation are not restricted to one ethnic group or nationality. Through the gospel, people from every background can receive forgiveness, become members of God's family, and share in His promises.
This truth challenges prejudice, tribalism, and spiritual superiority. The Church must reflect the reconciling power of the cross by welcoming all who come to Christ in faith and treating fellow believers with dignity. God's purpose is greater than the boundaries people often create.
a) God promised to bless all nations through Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3)
When God called Abraham, He promised that all families of the earth would be blessed through him. This promise showed that God's redemptive plan extended beyond Abraham's immediate family and national community.
The promise points towards the worldwide blessing made available through Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Church must not restrict its concern to people who share its language, culture, or social background. We are called to make Christ known to all people.
b) Gentiles are fellow heirs through the gospel (Ephesians 3:6)
Paul explains that Gentiles who believe the gospel are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of God's promise in Christ. They are not second-class members of God's people.
This truth establishes the spiritual equality of believers in Christ. Differences in culture, education, wealth, or social position must not become reasons for discrimination in the Church. Every believer has dignity because of the grace received through Jesus Christ.
c) Christ breaks down the walls of hostility (Ephesians 2:14-16)
Paul describes Christ as our peace, who has broken down the dividing wall of hostility and reconciled believers to God in one body through the cross. The Church becomes a testimony of God's power to overcome the divisions created by sin.
We must therefore refuse to nurture hatred and prejudice. When disagreements arise, we should address them through biblical truth, humility, and love. Christian unity does not mean ignoring wrongdoing or abandoning sound doctrine; it means allowing Christ's lordship to govern our relationships.
d) The gospel must reach every nation (Matthew 28:19-20)
Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples of all nations and teach them to observe His commandments. This commission demonstrates the worldwide scope of God's redemptive purpose.
Every local church should participate in the Great Commission through evangelism, missions, discipleship, prayer, giving, and practical service. Even when we cannot travel to distant places, we can support those who go and faithfully reach people within our own communities.
Biblical Example: The Church at Antioch (Acts 11:19-26; 13:1-3)
The church at Antioch became a community where believers from different backgrounds worshipped and served God together. The Holy Spirit directed the church to set apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work. Their sending demonstrated that the gospel was to move beyond one locality and reach other peoples. The church's participation in this mission reflects God's purpose to make Christ known among the nations.
4. GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR EVERY BELIEVER
While Ephesians 3:11 speaks specifically about God's eternal redemptive purpose in Christ, Scripture also teaches that believers are called to live in accordance with God's will. Salvation is not merely deliverance from sin; it brings us into a life of worship, service, holiness, and good works.
Every believer should therefore ask how to fulfil God's will within the responsibilities and opportunities entrusted to him or her. God's purpose is not always revealed through dramatic experiences. It is often expressed through ordinary acts of obedience, faithful service, godly relationships, and consistent Christian character.
a) You are created in Christ for good works (Ephesians 2:10)
Paul teaches that believers are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has ordained that they should walk in. Good works do not purchase salvation; they are the fruit and purpose of the new life received through Christ.
Do not reduce your Christian life to attending services without allowing the gospel to influence your conduct. Look for ways to demonstrate kindness, honesty, generosity, diligence, and compassion. Use your abilities to serve others and bring glory to God.
b) God equips His people for their assignments (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Christ gives ministers and leaders to equip the saints for the work of ministry and the building up of His body. This shows that the Church is intended to be a community where believers are prepared and mobilised for service.
Discover your gifts and develop them faithfully. Learn from mature believers, accept correction, and use opportunities to grow. You do not need to occupy a prominent position before you can be useful to God. Faithfulness in a small responsibility can prepare you for greater service.
c) God calls believers to live holy lives (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7)
Paul explains that God's will includes the sanctification of believers. The Christian calling is not merely to achieve visible success but to live in a manner that pleases God.
Your private conduct matters as much as your public ministry. Practise honesty, sexual purity, self-control, forgiveness, and integrity. When you fall into sin, repent sincerely and seek restoration. A life submitted to God provides a credible witness to His transforming grace.
d) God works through believers who remain faithful (Colossians 3:23-24)
Paul instructs believers to do their work heartily, as unto the Lord and not merely unto people. This principle applies to ministry, family responsibilities, employment, education, and service in the community.
Do not despise ordinary responsibilities because they seem less visible than public ministry. Work diligently, keep your commitments, and treat people fairly. When you serve with integrity, you honour God and demonstrate that your faith influences every part of your life.
Biblical Example: Esther's Position in the Palace (Esther 4:13-16)
When the Jewish people faced a deadly threat, Mordecai challenged Esther to consider whether she had come to the kingdom for such a time as that. Esther accepted the risk of approaching the king and appealed for the preservation of her people. Her position became an opportunity to serve a greater purpose than personal comfort. Her story teaches us to use our opportunities and influence responsibly when others need help.
5. GOD'S PURPOSE OFTEN UNFOLDS THROUGH SEASONS OF WAITING AND CHALLENGE
Knowing that God has an eternal purpose does not mean that every part of our journey will be easy or immediately understandable. Scripture records many faithful people who endured delays, disappointments, opposition, and suffering before seeing particular aspects of God's purpose fulfilled.
Waiting is not always evidence that God has forgotten us. At the same time, we should not automatically label every delay as a divine test or assume that every personal ambition will eventually be fulfilled. We must remain grounded in Scripture, seek wisdom, and continue obeying God as circumstances unfold.
a) God's timing may differ from yours (Habakkuk 2:3)
The prophet was told that the vision was for an appointed time and would speak at the end. The passage encouraged God's people to wait for the fulfilment of His revealed word.
When you are waiting for an answer, avoid making desperate choices that compromise your convictions. Continue praying, preparing, working diligently, and obeying the truth God has already made clear. Waiting faithfully can help you develop patience and perseverance.
b) Trials can develop spiritual maturity (James 1:2-4)
James teaches that the testing of faith produces patience and that patience must have its complete work so believers may become mature. This does not mean suffering is pleasant or that every painful event should be welcomed without seeking help. It means that trials can become occasions for spiritual growth as we trust and obey God.
When hardship comes, seek the Lord and use appropriate support. Allow the experience to deepen your dependence on Him rather than hardening your heart. Ask what can be learned while remembering that suffering is not proof that God has abandoned you.
c) God can bring good out of difficult circumstances (Romans 8:28)
Paul teaches that God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. This promise is given to believers within the context of God's saving purpose and the assurance that nothing can separate them from His love.
The verse does not say that everything that happens is good in itself. Betrayal, injustice, illness, and loss can cause genuine pain. Yet God is able to work amid broken circumstances to produce spiritual growth and accomplish His purposes. Trust Him without denying the reality of your suffering.
d) Remain faithful while trusting God's outcome (Galatians 6:9)
Paul encourages believers not to grow weary in doing good, because in due season they will reap if they do not faint. Faithfulness requires perseverance, especially when results are not immediately visible.
Continue to do what is right even when people do not recognise your efforts. Do not abandon prayer, godly conduct, or responsible service simply because progress appears slow. Leave the timing and final outcome in God's hands while remaining faithful to your assignment.
Biblical Example: David's Journey to the Throne (1 Samuel 16:11-13; 2 Samuel 5:1-5)
David was anointed by Samuel while he was still a young shepherd, but he did not immediately become king over all Israel. He experienced years of service, danger, and waiting before the promise reached its public fulfilment. David's story illustrates that an important assignment may involve preparation and delay. It also reminds us that waiting seasons should be approached with humility and faithfulness rather than impatience or wrongdoing.
6. WE MUST ALIGN OUR LIVES WITH GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE
Understanding God's purpose must lead to a practical response. We cannot claim to value His will while deliberately living in disobedience. The right response to God's eternal purpose is to surrender our lives to Christ, renew our minds through Scripture, and faithfully carry out the responsibilities He has entrusted to us.
God's purpose is not an excuse for passivity. We must pray, plan, learn, work, and make wise decisions while remaining dependent on His guidance. Our ambition should be shaped by His Word, and our greatest desire should be to glorify Him in every season of life.
a) Present your life to God (Romans 12:1-2)
Paul urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. He also calls them to be transformed by the renewing of their minds so they may discern God's will.
Surrender means giving God authority over your plans, habits, relationships, resources, and ambitions. Ask Him to reveal attitudes that need to change and practices that must be abandoned. A surrendered life is prepared to obey God even when obedience requires sacrifice.
b) Seek God's kingdom first (Matthew 6:33)
Jesus instructs His followers to seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness. This places God's rule and priorities above the pursuit of earthly things as the controlling ambition of our lives.
You may have legitimate goals concerning family, education, work, ministry, and financial stability. Pursue them responsibly, but do not allow them to displace your relationship with God or lead you into dishonesty. Seek His righteousness in the way you pursue every goal.
c) Commit your plans to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3)
Proverbs teaches us to commit our works to the Lord. This principle encourages believers to bring their plans before God and seek His direction rather than acting with self-sufficient confidence.
Make plans prayerfully and carefully. Examine your motives, consider the likely consequences, seek sound advice, and remain willing to make adjustments. Committing your plans to God means submitting them to His wisdom, not expecting Him to endorse every desire you already have.
d) Finish your assignment faithfully (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Near the end of his life, Paul testified that he had fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith. His words reveal the importance of perseverance and faithfulness in fulfilling God's calling.
Do not measure your life solely by popularity, possessions, titles, or public recognition. Seek to remain faithful to Christ and to the responsibilities He has given you. Whatever stage of life you occupy, ask God for grace to complete your assignment with integrity and devotion.
Biblical Example: Jesus in Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46)
In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed in deep anguish as He faced the suffering of the cross. He submitted Himself to the Father's will, saying, “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” His prayer reveals the depth of His obedience and His commitment to the Father's redemptive purpose. Jesus' example calls every believer to surrender personal preferences to God's will while trusting His wisdom and goodness.
CONCLUSION
The eternal purpose of God reveals that history is not outside His knowledge and that redemption through Jesus Christ is central to His plan. Through Christ's death and resurrection, God has opened the way for sinners to be reconciled to Him and for people from every nation to become members of His spiritual family. This purpose also calls believers to holiness, good works, faithful service, and the proclamation of the gospel. Although we may not understand every event or circumstance, we can trust God's character, rely on His Word, and remain confident in the saving purpose He has revealed through His Son.
Today, surrender your life afresh to Jesus Christ and ask Him to align your ambitions with His will. Do not allow impatience, fear, disappointment, or the desire for recognition to distract you from faithful obedience. Seek God's wisdom, develop the gifts He has given you, serve others with humility, and remain committed to the gospel. Remember that your greatest achievement is not simply to gain earthly recognition but to live faithfully for God's glory. May your life become an instrument through which His eternal purpose is advanced.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, reveal Your eternal purpose to me through Your Word and help me to understand the central place of Jesus Christ in Your plan of redemption, in Jesus name.
2. Lord Jesus, take full control of my life and align my thoughts, desires, ambitions, and decisions with Your will, in Jesus name.
3. Father, deliver me from impatience, fear, and discouragement, and give me grace to remain faithful while I wait for Your direction, in Jesus name.
4. O Lord, grant me wisdom to recognise the responsibilities You have entrusted to me and the courage to fulfil them faithfully, in Jesus name.
5. Father, help me to use my gifts, opportunities, resources, and influence to advance Your kingdom and bless the people around me, in Jesus name.
6. Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith during difficult seasons and help me to trust Your character even when I do not fully understand my circumstances, in Jesus name.
7. Father, remove every attitude of pride, selfish ambition, and disobedience that hinders me from fulfilling Your purpose, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, make me an instrument of reconciliation, unity, and gospel witness, and help me to demonstrate Your love to people from every background, in Jesus name.
9. Father, give me grace to remain steadfast in holiness, prayer, service, and obedience throughout every season of my Christian journey, in Jesus name.
10. O Lord, help me to finish my race faithfully, fulfil the assignment You have given me, and bring glory to Your name throughout my life, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. You will grow in your understanding of God's eternal purpose, and the Word of God will guide you into a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ and His redemptive work.
2. You will not allow temporary circumstances to determine the foundation of your faith, but you will learn to trust God's wisdom, character, and revealed promises.
3. You will receive grace to align your ambitions with God's will, and your decisions will increasingly reflect His truth, righteousness, and wisdom.
4. You will remain faithful in seasons of preparation and waiting, developing the character, patience, and discipline necessary to fulfil your responsibilities.
5. You will use your gifts and opportunities responsibly, and your service will contribute to the strengthening of God's people and the advancement of the gospel.
6. You will not be ruled by fear or discouragement when difficulties arise, but you will seek God's wisdom and take responsible steps of faith.
7. You will become an instrument of peace and reconciliation, helping others discover the grace of Christ and experience the fellowship of God's people.
8. You will grow in holiness, humility, and spiritual maturity, and your conduct will increasingly reflect the character of Jesus Christ.
9. You will remain committed to God's revealed truth, and neither pressure nor the desire for earthly recognition will cause you to abandon your Christian convictions.
10. You will receive grace to fulfil your God-given responsibilities faithfully, persevere through life's changing seasons, and finish your race with faith in Jesus Christ, in the mighty name of Jesus.
