Tag: mystery
The unsearchable riches of Christ!
Scripture reading for September 24th: Ephesians 3:1-21
Paul experienced God’s grace first-hand. He was Jew who had persecuted the church and imprisoned those who believed in Jesus Christ. Jesus found him on the Damascus road and graciously blinded him in order to open his eyes to God’s purpose of preaching to the Gentiles. (Acts 9:11-15) This concept that God would save both Jew and Gentile was a mystery that had been hidden and was now revealed by God through the Gospel.
“Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Ephesians 3:8-12)
The ‘unsearchable riches of Christ’ was the term Paul used for God’s gift of eternal life to all who would believe the Gospel. No one can yet fully explain or comprehend all that God has prepared for those who love Him! (1st Corinthians 2:8-9) God has given us the Holy Spirit and opened our eyes in revelation knowledge to glimpses of these riches. We have forgiveness of our sins and adoption in God’s family. We have been given an eternal inheritance as and heir of God through Jesus Christ. We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3) We have the surety or down payment of that inheritance in the person of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13) So much more could be written that these riches are truly unsearchable this side of heaven!
Paul also stated that God’s purpose was that through the church to make know this manifold wisdom to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places. God’s grace can only be experienced by human beings who are saved by faith. Our lives and works will bring glory to God and understanding of God’s goodness to both the good authorities (angels) and the evil (demons). What a privilege to be a small part of God’s wonderful plan and purpose!
The Hope of Glory! (Christ in You)
Scripture reading for October 5th: Colossians 1:20-2:7
The Colossians came from a Gentile background. They were alienated from God because of their lack of understanding about Him and His holy character. Paul came to them and preached the Gospel of Christ. It was through Christ’s death on the cross, burial and resurrection that these Gentiles had been reconciled to God. Through faith they had been washed of their sins and made holy and blameless in Christ’s sight. (Colossians 1:21-23)
Paul told these believers that he was a servant of the Gospel. Christ had commissioned him to present them with the word of God in its fullness. Paul was glad to do this, even suffering for the sake of the church like Christ Himself did. “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” (Colossians 1:27-28) The Gospel is good news for all mankind! It is a simple message that reveals Christ as the Son of God and Savior of men. Those who trust in Him receive the gift of Christ living in them by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the hope of our future glorification!
Paul wanted no one to perish, but all to be complete in Christ. He wrote and taught about Christ and struggled in prayer for believers because he had the heart of God for them. God wanted them all complete in Christ as well. But their were other voices competing for the attention of these believers. The false teachers had some slick arguments and enticing stories that could deceive those ignorant of the Truth.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” They must grow in their relationship with Christ and become deeply connected with Him through the word and prayer, staying true to the basic teachings of Christ with thankful hearts. This is sound advice for each of us today. Many leave the faith to follow other ways that sound good but lead them astray. The mystery is simple: Christ in you, the hope of glory!
The Church: Bride of Christ!
Scripture reading for December 2nd: Ephesians 1-6
Ephesians is one of the most encouraging epistles of Paul. Written from prison, Paul shares the mystery of the church as the bride of Christ with all who read this letter. The letter is written , “To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 1:1) All who believe in Jesus Christ are considered “saints”, those set apart for the master’s use. Each saint was chosen by Jesus and blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms through relationship with Him. (Ephesians 1:3-14) Believers have been lavished with God’s grace through forgiveness of sins and adoption as sons. They have had the mystery of His will revealed to them. They have a down payment of future blessedness, the promised Holy Spirit!
Paul prays two beautiful prayers for the saints recorded in Ephesians 1:15-19 and 3:14-21. These prayers are models for our praying for spiritual insight into who we are in Christ and what He has given us. Christ’s love for those He has chosen is so high and long and wide and deep that only by personal revelation can it be fathomed! Paul bowed his knees before the Father in prayer and worship, praying from the depth of his heart. What encouragement for us to know that we have been prayed for in this manner! To consider that God can do “immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to the power at work in us,” (Ephesians 3:20) is exciting and opens up a new world for us.
Paul deals with practical matters of human relationships, including husbands and wives. Mutual submission to each other out of respect for Christ is a great foundation for marriage. (Ephesians 5:21) Wives should submit to their husbands as to Christ. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and laid His life down for her. Paul states that these thoughts are a profound mystery! (Ephesians 5:32) Christ is the husband of His bride, the church and loves her as His own body! He is one with the church as a husband is one with his wife. Christ must be submitted to and reverenced by the church as the wife is to submit to and reverence her husband.
May we ponder this mystery today and apply the truths to our daily lives. Marriages are to be visual aides to understand Christ and the Church.