Unsearchable Riches

UV 1696/10000 The Unsearchable Riches
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Ephesians 3 v 8

Paul, a one time fiercest foe and persecutor of the people who believed in Jesus became after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus the greatest of apostles. Yet, he referred to himself as the least of all saints, the worst of sinners. He acknowledged that it was only by the grace of the Lord that he was called and given the calling to preach to all nations the gospel of Christ. The riches of Christ in terms of His mercy, love, knowledge, wisdom, grace, peace, hope and other spiritual attributes can be accessed only by revelation. It cannot be discovered by human brilliance or ingenuity or enterprise. It cannot be mined or extracted from ores. The Lord had chosen Paul to reveal these hidden mysteries. The riches of Christ are hidden in His Word for He is the Word that became flesh. By diligent study of the Word, the riches of Christ are revealed.

Today, on Google or other search engines, one can search out any piece of information he needs but the riches of Christ’s love , mercy and grace are unsearchable. These are hidden from the world but revealed to the believer. These are the riches that neither moth nor thief nor rust can take away or destroy. The riches of Christ stay with us and grow in us. These are the riches that make us richer and wiser than Solomon in all his glory. For Solomon bemoaned that after all his various attempts to find happiness that all is vain, a mere chasing of the wind. But in Christ, all that we attempt and do is blessed and established. The secret locker or vault in which the riches of Christ is stored is the human heart. The riches of the world are an undependable or fair weather friend as Solomon discovered while the riches of Christ are an all weather friend. They do not take wings and fly away. These do not diminish in value but fulfil their eternal purpose. The riches of the world are not satisfying and that is why even the very wealthy always are pining for a little more. It does not give them a sense of permanent security while the riches of Christ satisfy the longing of the heart. The riches of the world are meant for hoarding but the riches of Christ are meant for sharing, building and edification of the faith and lives of others.

The riches of Christ are the most precious thing on earth. It is the precious stone that Jesus spoke of when he said that a trader sold all he had in order to buy the most valuable precious stone he found. It implies that salvation of our souls is more valuable than success in this world. Nothing else can be traded for it. It cannot be found by ability or determination or hard work or diligence. It is discovered by grace and enjoyed by grace. Since it is discovered and experienced by grace, the possessor of the riches of Christ cannot be puffed up or proud.

Prateep V Philip