God's Mystery Revealed { Ephesians 3}
12:00 AM
"God's Mystery Revealed" { Ephesians 3 }
While Paul was imprisoned in Rome because of his missionary efforts on behalf of the Gentiles, he continued his ministry by writing letters to several churches. These letters became known as Paul's "prison epistles". One of these letters was to the church at Ephesus in which Paul beautifully explains who we are and all that we have as a result of God's grace.
Paul begins by revealing the divine mystery of Christ. A mystery not previously revealed, now made known through "His holy apostles and prophets in the spirit". (v 5) And what is this mystery? "...that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power." (vs. 6-7) What a wonderful revelation! No longer are believing Jews and Gentiles separated before God, but instead we are joined together into one church. Both now share equally the promises of God, promises previously reserved for Jews alone. And most importantly this could only happen through the gospel, "in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him." (vs. 11-12)
How amazing is our God who loves each and everyone of us so much and, "who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" ( 2 Tim. 2:4), that He provided the way to reconciliation through His Son Christ Jesus. Not only does loves us, He wants to bless us in unimaginable ways. A realization that humbles even Paul who says, "To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ." (v 8) Paul, a man who once tried to destroy God's people, was not only forgiven by God but given the great privilege of spreading His message and building His church. And in love and obedience, that's just what Paul did. He went about preaching and writing about the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Jesus. His task being to bring out into the open and make plain the secret plan of God, which was executed perfectly through Jesus and His sacrifice on the Cross. A task Paul performed proudly saying, "Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations, for they are your glory." Paul didn't want the Ephesians to feel sorry for him, for he was being used in a way greater than he could ever imagine.
In response to the revealing of this great mystery, Paul falls to his knees in prayer before the Father, the Creator of all things in Heaven and earth. He prays the most beautiful prayer of love and strength for all believers. A prayer that, "He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to the fullness of God." (vs. 16-19) Paul wants for every believer not only to be strengthened by God's Spirit, but to experience fully His unconditional love and all the unfathomable riches that He has to offer.
Paul ends this chapter by saying, "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." (vs. 20-21) God is able to answers our prayers in ways that are beyond anything we could ever hope for. "The Lord has wonderful plans for your life, so do not be discouraged by disappointments along the way. Keep following Him faithfully, and continue believing that He will answer your prayers in a manner that is better than anything you have ever dreamed or envisioned. Remember, when you fight your battles on your knees, you'll win every time." (Dr. Charles Stanley)
0 comments