Word@Work Eph31 - Ephesians 3:8-9
Published: Fri, 11/07/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
DOWN BUT NOT OUT
Read Ephesians 3:8-9 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles 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. (NIV)
God's only perfect servant on earth was Jesus Christ. All the rest were, and are, rough diamonds at best. From the dishonesty of Abraham, the grumbling of Moses and the adultery of David; to tax-collector Matthew, arrogant Peter and nervous Timothy - their flaws showed through. But few had such a 'colourful' background as Paul. He was a religious bigot, a self-righteous academic, and cruel to the point of inhumanity. For God to save him was grace indeed; and to appoint him as the last apostle was generous in the extreme.
Indeed, Paul felt had experienced more grace than any believer, because his antagonism to Christ and the church has been expressed so violently. Paul never forgot what he had been saved from, and that gave him insight that even the most hardened and violent official was not beyond God's reach; nor was the most bigoted religious cleric. His grateful humility enabled God's authority to be known in the preaching.
Far from disqualifying us from serving the Lord, our past experiences will be used by Him. They will keep us humble and grateful; full of praise and devoted to prayer: such attitudes mark out fleshly service from spiritual ministry. At the same time we can look at the lost with new eyes ... even the most rebellious are as saveable as the nicest ignorant person. Do we subconsciously categorise our colleagues into those who might get saved and those who might not? If so, we are not thinking Biblically. It is not our goodness but the presentation of the gospel by God's power that points people towards Jesus, whether they are good or bad - it makes no difference.
Prayer: Father God. I know that I am acceptable to You only through your grace, help me to see others in the same way - and to live, work, speak and pray that they may find their peace though Christ alone, irrespective of their background of behaviour. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
God's only perfect servant on earth was Jesus Christ. All the rest were, and are, rough diamonds at best. From the dishonesty of Abraham, the grumbling of Moses and the adultery of David; to tax-collector Matthew, arrogant Peter and nervous Timothy - their flaws showed through. But few had such a 'colourful' background as Paul. He was a religious bigot, a self-righteous academic, and cruel to the point of inhumanity. For God to save him was grace indeed; and to appoint him as the last apostle was generous in the extreme.
Indeed, Paul felt had experienced more grace than any believer, because his antagonism to Christ and the church has been expressed so violently. Paul never forgot what he had been saved from, and that gave him insight that even the most hardened and violent official was not beyond God's reach; nor was the most bigoted religious cleric. His grateful humility enabled God's authority to be known in the preaching.
Far from disqualifying us from serving the Lord, our past experiences will be used by Him. They will keep us humble and grateful; full of praise and devoted to prayer: such attitudes mark out fleshly service from spiritual ministry. At the same time we can look at the lost with new eyes ... even the most rebellious are as saveable as the nicest ignorant person. Do we subconsciously categorise our colleagues into those who might get saved and those who might not? If so, we are not thinking Biblically. It is not our goodness but the presentation of the gospel by God's power that points people towards Jesus, whether they are good or bad - it makes no difference.
Prayer: Father God. I know that I am acceptable to You only through your grace, help me to see others in the same way - and to live, work, speak and pray that they may find their peace though Christ alone, irrespective of their background of behaviour. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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