The Benediction

… to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:21

Too often we ignore the closing words of a prayer, thinking that it is nothing more than a fancy “signing off now” expression. But here Paul reaches his climax in the prayer in the benediction and not before.

The desire toward which Paul points us is that the glory of God would be first and last in our considerations. To God be the glory in the church includes the idea that the church itself would praise God and that others through the witness of the church would praise God. What peace this would bring in the church if we let the glory of God be our primary motivation, if we let it take its rightful place in all of our considerations, if we would put aside personal desires, the desire for attention, the desire to get our own way, the desire for comfort and a “feel-good religion,” or the desire for the ascendancy of our own children and family — a misuse of parental influence and a perversion of parental love. If first and last the chief concern in of all that is done is the glory of God, there would be great peace in the family of faith.

Also this gives clarity to our plans and methods — this is not just the motive but also the means and methods by which we serve. The church cannot say that ungodly means are acceptable if godly goals are the aim. Rather our means must match our goals.

The means by which we bring glory to God is through the proclamation of Jesus Christ and through the work and presence of His Person. It is by being Christ-centered in our message and in our spiritual emphasis that we will bring glory to God. I sometimes hear people say that they believe in God but are not sure about Jesus. But the glory of the church is clearly focused on Jesus Christ, and to neglect Him is to undermine the method of God. In our church we should emphasize His presence, teach people to talk to Him through faith, and build up belief in Him. This is the way that God works in this generation.

The final clauses combines two thoughts to stress the eternal nature of this command and desire. Christ Jesus will never be replaced by God, for His work is for eternity. Paul wrote “Generations” — emphasizing the succeeding lives born on earth, and every earthly generation should focus on Christ for the rest of earthly history. He then wrote aeon or eon, Literally “eon of the eons” sometimes translated world without end, and this is an emphasis on eternity after life on this earth comes to an end.

When we look into eternity it seems rather daunting, doesn’t it? Unending, stretching out into the great yet unknown. What will be there that we will still recognize? What will be there that is familiar and central and unifying and even defining? The answer is that Jesus Christ, and us bringing glory to God through Him will be the central theme of eternity. Isn’t this really what your heart desires? Listen to His Spirit within you, if you are a believer, and you will know that this satisfies your heart unlike anything else — the thought that you could bring glory to God through Christ for all eternity.

This benediction should encourage us and strengthen our faith, helping us to have hope and excitement about the future.