2002-01-01
Good Morning Faithful Ones,
God motivates me to continue writing about the book of Ephesians, because it is important that we know the rich blessings He gives us as we go into spiritual warfare in Christ's name. These blessings are found in the first three chapters of Ephesians in addition to other places in the Bible. The second three chapters will outline how we should use those blessings in the battle against the evil forces led by the adversary. Yesterday, we finished discussing EPH 2 and now we will go on to EPH 3: 1-13.
As this chapter opens, Paul describes himself as "the prisoner of Jesus Christ for the sake of you Gentiles" in EPH 3: 1. Someone who is very new to the faith or who doesn't have faith would look at this epithet as rather curious or even something pretty negative that he would like to avoid. But, those of us who do have faith see it very differently. Paul has sometimes used words like "bondservant" or "prisoner" not in the usual negative sense, but as something he deemed to be a privilege [RO 1: 1]. That is because people who have profound faith and willingness to spend their lives serving God are ones who are likely to be honored in heaven and to live in eternal joy and fellowship with our Abba. As RO 8: 17 tells us, God's children if they endure in faith will end up as joint-heirs to the Kingdom with Christ. God's perspective is the opposite of a worldly one on matters such as suffering, doing spiritual warfare, and what constitutes real value [MT 6: 19-21; RO 5: 3-4; EPH 1: 14; 1 PET 4: 13; PHIL 4: 13]. As believers, we have a responsibility to stretch our understanding toward that which God has and to reject the standards of the world [RO 12: 2]. That's what Christ does, and He is our Paradigm.
EPH 3: 3-6 deals with a very crucial subject, that of God's gradual revelation of His secret plan. A person might ask: why didn't God reveal His whole plan all at once? Wouldn't that have saved mankind a lot of suffering? The answer is clearly that in His infinite wisdom, God revealed only what He knew mankind was ready for at any one time. Because we are living close to the end times, we are privileged to see more of God's plan than people who lived before us. That doesn't mean that we know it all. There are most likely things God will reveal in our future that we don't know now. Look at the words of this passage. "God revealed His secret plan and made it known to me [Paul]. (I have written briefly about this, and if you will read what I have written, you can learn about my understanding of the secret of Christ). In past times mankind was not told this secret, but God has revealed it now by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets. The secret is that by means of the Gospel the Gentiles have a part with the Jews in God's blessing: they are member of the same body and share in the promise that God made through Christ Jesus."
It is clear that God's revelation is gradual, because the OT was directed at the Jews, God's chosen people, with a few exceptions. The exceptions would be Gentiles like Rehab, Ruth, Tamar, and the people of Nineveh whom Jonah brought to faith. It wasn't until after Paul's conversion in AC 9 and the three years of training he received from Christ in the wilderness, that the secret was revealed to Gentiles. RO 1: 16 makes that clear when it states, "to the Jews first and also to the Gentiles." RO 11: 16-25, which is the metaphor of the grafting of wild olive branches on to the cultured olive tree and which ends with an explanation of God's plan for the Jews, supports this assertion.
EPH 3: 7-10 is where Paul reveals what the power of God can do. Paul asserts that he "was made a servant by God's special gift" given to him by God's power at work in him. This is a very important message for us, because when we obey and trust God, He does the very same for us. Paul makes the point that he was "less than the least of God's people," and still this happened. He goes on to explain that he is called to reveal God's secret plan and make people see how it is to be put into effect. God's will is that everyone should learn of God's wisdom in all its different forms. So, having Paul's teachings is another of the blessings God gives us to equip us for spiritual warfare. EPH 3: 11-13, "God did this according to His eternal purpose, which He achieved through Christ Jesus our Lord. In union with Christ and through faith in Him, we have the boldness to got into God's presence with all confidence. I beg you, then, not to be discouraged because I am suffering for you; it is all for your benefit." This message was not only for the Ephesians; it was also for us and all who might come to faith in the future. Knowing these blessings should enable us to face the challenges to our faith that come from the agents of evil around us with confidence of God's love and protection and boldness in proclaiming the truth He gives us.
PRAYER: O Lord, You have given us the teachings of Your "bondservant for Christ set apart for the Gospel," because You equip us to face the challenges of spiritual warfare knowing that with endurance, trust, and obedience, we will be victorious in Christ's name. It is by knowing Your secret plan that we are given direction and motivation to endure in whatever we must face, just as Paul did. Even Your servant, David, long ago knew that with faith in You there would be victory. PS 46: 1, "You are my Refuge and my Strength, a clear and present Help in times of trouble." Through David, You reminded us of Your power to see us through traps set for us by the devil and his followers. PS 34: 3-5, "You are my Refuge and Defense; guide me and lead me as You have promised. Keep me safe from the trap that has been set for me; shelter me from danger. I place myself in Your care. You will save me, Lord; You are a faithful God." We are also reminded that You can impart Your power to anyone, no matter how unimportant he or she may seem, to carry out Your will. David knew this when he went out to slay the giant, Goliath [1 SAM 17: 45-47], for example. For all that You are in our lives, You deserve our utmost praise and thanks. Today, we come to You to confess our sin and humbly offer You our adoration, worship, loyalty, diligence, glory, honor, trust, and obedience. We are Your soldiers in Christ and pledge to take the truth of the Gospel to as many as will listen using the talents and armor You have given us. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
Dear Ones, I hope you will take the time to look up the Scripture references to fully enjoy today's message. We are truly a blessed people, loved and cared for by a righteous and sovereign Lord. Tomorrow, I am led to discuss the love of Christ from EPH 3: 14-20. In the meanwhile we can all meditate on the loving protection and preparation that the Lord gives us as we face the challenges in our lives. We can take comfort that our faithful endurance in His cause keeps us on the side that will enjoy ultimate victory.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn