“To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:21).
This is Paul’s doxology and in a manner similar to most doxologies it declares that glory is due to God through all eternity, generation to generation. What is unique about this doxology is how the glory is to be shown through all generations, forever. It is to be shown “in the church.”
The church is the realm of the outworking of God’s kingdom agenda on earth. This takes us by surprise because in some quarters today, people don’t think much about the church. Church attendance is down, giving is down, and involvement is down. How can that be if God’s design and desire is to give glory to His Son through the church in every generation forever? If we love, we will love His church for it is the bride of His only begotten Son and as such the community through whom He desires to give glory to His Son.
Further, the church will continue to proclaim the manifold wisdom of God even in heaven (3:10). The church is the only community on earth that will continue in heaven. The service we accomplish on earth through His church will be like treasures laid up in heaven. The church is never to take glory for itself, for glory in the church merely reflects onto Christ Jesus and through Him to the Father. Christ and His church are seen together giving to the Father unending glory. How can we begin to comprehend that God’s greatest glory is seen in the display of His grace in the church whereby sinful men are united with His sinless Son.
Prayer: Father, I desire to give You all the glory through my involvement in Your church. Amen