Word@Work Eph29 - Ephesians 3:6
Published: Wed, 11/05/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
NOBODY EXCLUDED
Read Ephesians 3:6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Clubs have rules which say who may qualify to become a member. Those rules also automatically exclude others. The Jews had, rightly believed that they were special to God: but to say that others did not matter to Him was false. From the time of God's commission to Abraham, it was God's intention that everybody might receive His blessing (cf Gen 12:2-3) through His chosen people. But, with only a few exceptions, everybody else fought against God's authority; and it is the same today.
God's secret plan (mystery) was not to divide people, but to establish the basis on which He could bring them together. That basis was not Abraham, but Jesus Christ. That is why any attempt to bring religions together, on the basis of shared origins, is flawed, because Abraham's purpose was to look forward to Jesus. John 8:56 quotes Jesus as saying, "Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad." (NIV) So the work of Jesus was to give the same rights to the Gentiles as to the Jews: but more than that ... Jesus gave to believing Jews a far greater set of privileges than they ever had before. Only in Jesus can both Jew and Gentile find equality, assurance of forgiveness, direct access into God's presence and peace with Him.
Those who want to stay within the 'club rules' of religion, will always sidestep Jesus, or attack His right to rule. But those who have come to know Him, understand how amazingly kind and gracious and inclusive He is. God's purpose is to bring everything together under Christ (cf Eph 1:10). That message is the responsibility of us Christians: its intended recipients are people from every 'tribe, language, ethnic group and nation' (cf Rev 5:9) ... nobody is left out! So let's not be timid thinking that Jesus is just for Christians - He is for everybody! So let's not be timid.
Prayer: Father God. Thank you that Jesus is not just for me but for all my friends and colleagues. Help me to live and speak so that they may know that He loves them, whatever their background. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
Clubs have rules which say who may qualify to become a member. Those rules also automatically exclude others. The Jews had, rightly believed that they were special to God: but to say that others did not matter to Him was false. From the time of God's commission to Abraham, it was God's intention that everybody might receive His blessing (cf Gen 12:2-3) through His chosen people. But, with only a few exceptions, everybody else fought against God's authority; and it is the same today.
God's secret plan (mystery) was not to divide people, but to establish the basis on which He could bring them together. That basis was not Abraham, but Jesus Christ. That is why any attempt to bring religions together, on the basis of shared origins, is flawed, because Abraham's purpose was to look forward to Jesus. John 8:56 quotes Jesus as saying, "Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad." (NIV) So the work of Jesus was to give the same rights to the Gentiles as to the Jews: but more than that ... Jesus gave to believing Jews a far greater set of privileges than they ever had before. Only in Jesus can both Jew and Gentile find equality, assurance of forgiveness, direct access into God's presence and peace with Him.
Those who want to stay within the 'club rules' of religion, will always sidestep Jesus, or attack His right to rule. But those who have come to know Him, understand how amazingly kind and gracious and inclusive He is. God's purpose is to bring everything together under Christ (cf Eph 1:10). That message is the responsibility of us Christians: its intended recipients are people from every 'tribe, language, ethnic group and nation' (cf Rev 5:9) ... nobody is left out! So let's not be timid thinking that Jesus is just for Christians - He is for everybody! So let's not be timid.
Prayer: Father God. Thank you that Jesus is not just for me but for all my friends and colleagues. Help me to live and speak so that they may know that He loves them, whatever their background. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Why not share Word@Work with your friends - they can subscribe at http://www.beaconlight.co.uk/email!
If you value your free Word@Work - an occasional donation will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
If you value your free Word@Work - an occasional donation will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
W@WEph29 | Word@Work © Dr Paul Adams 2008 | Provided by BeaconLight
Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Your next Word@Work will be sent on