Word@Work Eph27 - Ephesians 3:2-3
Published: Mon, 11/03/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
TRUSTED WITH THE TRUTH
Read Ephesians 3:2-3 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. (NIV)
If you have ever been involved with dealing with someone's finances after their death, you will know the task is rarely straightforward. If there is no executor, 'letters of administration' are granted by courts in England: they give authority to a named individual, who is responsible to the court, for the proper distribution of the estate. This is the sort of thing that Paul writes about here. He is saying that the Lord Jesus has given him the gospel message, with detailed explanations, so that he can distribute it. He sees himself as a trustee (administration here means 'held in trust') with the task of telling the message of God's grace to His beneficiaries (among whom are the Ephesian believers, and us who trust in Jesus).
The gospel of God's grace is also described as a 'mystery'. The word means 'a hidden thing that is intended to be made clear', as opposed to occultism that intends to keep people in the dark. Paul, with all his learning and academic understanding of the Old Testament, had never understood the gospel - until Jesus revealed it to him. It was the same for us and will continue to be so for future generations of believers: we and they are incapable of working out God's grace until He explains it to us using the Bible. That is where the 'letters of administration' come in. Paul knows that it is his job to explain the truth convincingly to people's minds. Jesus gave him the authority and Paul was still doing it, even from prison ... and he is doing it for us too as we read the same letters.
Some Christians think that there is little point in sharing about Jesus with those who don't believe. But their unbelief is just the reason why we should! Most do not know what is true about the gospel, so they cannot believe it. Explaining what the Bible says is the only way our friends will get to know the facts. This essential trustee responsibility seems, all too often, to be left behind in church on Sunday - when it is intended for the working week as well. On Sunday we give thanks for the gospel; and the rest of the week we should give voice to it. As we do, the Holy Spirit will do His special work of convicting hearts, exposing sin and uncovering the mystery of God's grace.
Prayer: Father God. Thank You that somebody took the initiative to explain your gospel to me. Help me, as a trustee of your truth to distribute it to those who You want to be its beneficiaries. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
If you have ever been involved with dealing with someone's finances after their death, you will know the task is rarely straightforward. If there is no executor, 'letters of administration' are granted by courts in England: they give authority to a named individual, who is responsible to the court, for the proper distribution of the estate. This is the sort of thing that Paul writes about here. He is saying that the Lord Jesus has given him the gospel message, with detailed explanations, so that he can distribute it. He sees himself as a trustee (administration here means 'held in trust') with the task of telling the message of God's grace to His beneficiaries (among whom are the Ephesian believers, and us who trust in Jesus).
The gospel of God's grace is also described as a 'mystery'. The word means 'a hidden thing that is intended to be made clear', as opposed to occultism that intends to keep people in the dark. Paul, with all his learning and academic understanding of the Old Testament, had never understood the gospel - until Jesus revealed it to him. It was the same for us and will continue to be so for future generations of believers: we and they are incapable of working out God's grace until He explains it to us using the Bible. That is where the 'letters of administration' come in. Paul knows that it is his job to explain the truth convincingly to people's minds. Jesus gave him the authority and Paul was still doing it, even from prison ... and he is doing it for us too as we read the same letters.
Some Christians think that there is little point in sharing about Jesus with those who don't believe. But their unbelief is just the reason why we should! Most do not know what is true about the gospel, so they cannot believe it. Explaining what the Bible says is the only way our friends will get to know the facts. This essential trustee responsibility seems, all too often, to be left behind in church on Sunday - when it is intended for the working week as well. On Sunday we give thanks for the gospel; and the rest of the week we should give voice to it. As we do, the Holy Spirit will do His special work of convicting hearts, exposing sin and uncovering the mystery of God's grace.
Prayer: Father God. Thank You that somebody took the initiative to explain your gospel to me. Help me, as a trustee of your truth to distribute it to those who You want to be its beneficiaries. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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