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In Order That
by John F. Moreland
© MAR 2004
This phrase is used 96 times in 96 verses in the New
American Standard Bible (NASB) translation of the Bible
[1].
I believe it to be very significant in meaning. It means that an action is
taken to produce a certain fruit. A simple example would be, "A peach tree
was planted in order that it might produce peaches." Or another,
"He plowed his field in order that he might plant his crop." Or yet
another, "The city installed traffic lights in order to control the flow
of traffic. " It is an action which produces a direct result.
I will give three Scriptural examples for further clarification.
(1) (Eph 2:5-7 NASB) "... even when we were dead in our
transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been
saved),
{6} and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly
places, in Christ Jesus,
{7} in order that in the ages to come He might show the
surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
(2) (Mark 3:9 NASB)
"And He told His disciples that a boat should stand ready for Him because
of the multitude, in order that they might not crowd Him; … "
(3) (Luke 6:7 NASB)
"And the scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely, to see if
He healed on the Sabbath, in order that they might find reason to
accuse Him."
As I study the Scriptures, I am more and more impressed
that God is a God with an in order that ever before Him.
Everything our God has ever done can be prefaced with an in order that.
It is spoken of in Scripture as an eternal purpose.
(Eph 3:11 NASB) "This was in accordance with the eternal purpose
which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, … "
I am convinced that we would in no way change the meaning of John 3:6 if we
quoted it like this:
(John 3:16 NASB) "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, in order that whoever believes in Him should not
perish, but have eternal life."
But I would turn our attention to a very fundamental issue in the Word which
is an "in order that" which we as His purchased possession, His
ekklesia or called-out-ones, must realize and become accountable for.
The Word states it as follows:
(Eph 3:9-11 NASB) " .. and to bring to light what is the
administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who
created all things;
{10} in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made
known through the church (ekklesia, called-out-ones) to the rulers and the
authorities in the heavenly places.
{11} This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out
in Christ Jesus our Lord, … "
You see, we are part of, included in His in order that.
While our God is Sovereign, His Divine strategy has always
included a delegated authority to function in His behalf. I will not
attempt to explain His purpose or reason for such a course of action. I
cannot. I simply know that it is impossible for Him to do anything wrong
in wisdom or judgment, or immoral in character. Whatever His plan is, it
is perfect and incontestable. I also know His purpose will ultimately be
fulfilled, whatever the process may require.
There are several things implied and inherent in Ephesians
3:10. First of all, it is obvious the Scripture is speaking of a
particular people. Not everyone is included here. Paul is referring
here to the mystery (Eph 3:3) and he defines it in verse 6.
(Eph 3:6) "... to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and
fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ
Jesus through the gospel..."
The Holy Spirit, through the apostle Paul further defines this mystery in
Ephesians 4:4-6.
{4} "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in
one hope of your calling;
{5} one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
{6} one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in
all."
That’s us, dear saints. He has not designated anyone else to fulfill
this purpose. If you are born again, you’re included.
Second, we must know His wisdom so we are able to reveal
it to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places. Notice, the Scripture
declares that it is a manifold wisdom which must be revealed.
There are some things here which must be pointed out.
The knowledge of His wisdom and will comes through one’s
fellowship and intimacy with the Lord. The apostle Paul express it like
this:
(Phil 3:10 NASB) "... that I may know Him, and the power of His
resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His
death… "
It is, above all, an intimate fellowship with the Lord which gives us the
knowledge of His wisdom. It is expressed in the Word like this:
(Eph 1:7-9 NASB) {7} " In Him we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,
{8} NASB) which He lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight
{9} NASB) He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to
His kind intention which He purposed in Him…"
It is also not declared that the five-fold ministry (or four-fold - whichever
you prefer), or that the leadership is going to reveal this manifold wisdom to
these rulers and authorities, but it is the Church, the called-out-ones, all of
them. You see, each one of us just has a part of His complete or manifold
wisdom. No one person or ministry has, or knows it all. We are
inter-dependent one to another and to Christ, Who is our wisdom [2].
Whatever wisdom from His Word plus your gift and intimacy with Him has revealed
to you, that indeed will ultimately be revealed through you.
I would like to impress upon your heart and mind that
there were never, in God’s economy, any people ever destined to simply become
second class saints or second class citizens in His Kingdom. The Lord has
never elevated anyone to an exalted position above or over the saints.
Yes, there are governmental responsibilities given in His Kingdom, but that does
not qualify them as better or more deserving of His grace, wisdom or fellowship
than anyone else. This does not mean we are not to honor those whom God
honors. But, we each have our own personal place in Him. No one can
demean or belittle this. You may not be great in the eyes of the world or
the religious system, but your wisdom is as precious to our Lord as anyone’s!
He is as available to you in His fullness as much as anyone else who has ever
lived. Rest in this, enjoy this, walk in this! You are very precious
and meaningful to Him.
Lastly, I believe there must be a manifestation, an
example of His life and wisdom on earth. The Apostle Peter wrote it like
this:
(1 Pet 2:9 NASB) "… but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people for god's own possession, (in order – author) that
you may proclaim (shew forth – KJV) the excellencies of Him who has
called you out of darkness into his marvelous light…"
It is my firm conviction that wisdom will ultimately have a manifestation or
fruit. This is defined in the Word as follows:
(2 Cor 3:3 KJV) " Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the
epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the
Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of
the heart."
Even the earth, even more, the whole creation looks for this manifestation.
(Rom 8:19 NASB) "For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly
for the revealing of the sons of God."
Dear ones, if we don’t reveal the manifold wisdom of God
to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places, God has no other plan to get
it done. But, according to His unspeakable grace and wisdom, He has so
designed it and it will come to pass. He has no other instrument through
which He can get it accomplished. We are simply not the only ones He has
for the mission, but the best He has, because He has so ordered it.
May God grant you the grace to see His eternal purpose,
and may His love constrain you to pay whatever price your walk in Him may lead
you to, that you may see your part of His manifold wisdom known through you.
Selah
[1]
The King James and New king James versions use different words which express the
same meaning in these scriptures.
[2]
1 Corinthians 1:24
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