The Mystery Ephesians 3:1-3, 14-19
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 14-19 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
A key theme of this letter, is the word mystery. God shows Paul how He will bring the jews and gentiles to become one in His sight and in His kingdom and family. Notice that verse 1 and verse 14 begin with the same words, for this reason...
Although Paul had been a prisoner for 2 years in Caesarea and 2 years in Rome, he consider himself to be a prisoner of any government or person. Rather, Paul knew he was under Christ control. (A prisoner for the kingdom of God.)
Verse 2 of Ephesians chapter 3 says, if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
Dispensation here means, Paul did not choose his ministry, it was given to him by God. Dispensation-Stewardship, administration of his apostleship or ministry.
On a dear movie that me and my family love called, “Angel In My Pocket” Andy Griffin has a brother-in-law that isn’t right with God, and he say’s as one of his lines, “to go to church or not to go, what should I choose?”
You have understand, when you believed and were born from above, you joined the elite kingdom of God, and your role in God’s kingdom is to become kingdom minded.
Paul understood that kingdom living begins with Spiritual knowledge and Spiritual knowledge must be lived out or followed through with practical application.
God works through practical application too. That’s why Paul writes in Ephesians 3:3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
What’s the mystery? You aren’t here for yourself. Practical application goes far beyond a praise, prayer or shout. It takes you into your gift and calling for the body.
So what is the mystery Paul is speaking about and what is God’s best for you? The mystery given to Paul, and God’s best for you are the same. In Christ, Jews and Gentiles become one in God’s sight. (We are to find our callings and gifting and become one with this body-One meaning, working together-showing up!)
As you know, there are many diversions, and satanic tactics to throw you off course- to stop God’s best.
Therefore, becoming one is greater than hold hands or singing, ‘kumbahya.’ *Becoming one means, becoming Jesus’ prisoner, finding, walking in the will, and the calling of God for your life.
Is it easy? Listen to II Corinthians 4:7-10 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (Paul’s suffering was endless.)
Ephesians 3: 14-15 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
What was Paul reason? Jesus Christ!
Paul say’s, I bow my knee- not speaking of posture, but suggesting an attitude of submission, reverence and intense passion.
Verse16-19 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Collectively as a body we are growing into Christ love, Christ unity, Christ faith and Christ fullness!
Prayer
