I love a good mystery with their plot twists, hidden secrets, and eventually, a resolve usually pointing to a greater message. Our faith can sometimes feel like we're missing something.
The Apostle Paul was on a mission to explain God’s mystery of the Messiah. He was needing to address this issue because this mindset was especially unfamiliar to the Jew. But through the merciful gift of grace, the gospel now joins both Jew and Gentile (non-Jews). Until Jesus, these two groups of people rarely interacted and when they did, it was problematic. Through this miraculous gift, no one people group has the corner on a relationship with Father God. The gospel now joins both into being co-heirs of the promise.
“Here’s the secret: The gospel of grace has made you, non-Jewish believers, into coheirs of His promise through your union with Him. And you now become members of His body—one with the Anointed One!” (vs. 6 TPT)
God is making us all one family. Quite the plot twist! It’s like finding out the neighbor, Gus, who is always yelling at your kids to get off his lawn, is now related to you. It can be a little unnerving to open up your life to someone who, in the not too distant past, was considered an outsider. Especially if the relationship was somewhat hostile. Now, I’ll let you in on my little secret. It’s hard for me sometimes, even if it has been a good relationship. Let’s face it, we can get on each other's nerves. It would be easy to brush all this stuff under the rug, pretending that we are relational but keeping our interaction on a surface level.
In verse 9, Paul says it is his desire to “enlighten” us into this mystery. The word “enlighten” means to light up, instruct, inform and give understanding to. He continues to explain that the magnificent purpose of this unity is actually for us, as individuals.
You and I have a role in spreading the truth of God’s function for the church. God’s desire is to put us all on display expressing the power of God that was accomplished through Jesus our Lord. How is this done when we are all so different? Through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. The Spirit brings unity, corrects us, guides, empowers, and encourages us on the path to demonstrating His kingdom while celebrating our unique personalities. WE can do this sisters! Individually, we lift our hearts to God and ask for His power to set aside our agendas and to unite us corporately in the cause of Christ.
“Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for His miraculous power constantly energizes you.” Ephesians 3:20 TPT
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