Paul tells the Ephesians why He serves Jesus Christ by spreading the Good News. He tells them that they know his story (as we do after reading Acts). But he moves it to a deeper level rather than an account of events. He says that the Lord gave him a revelation in which he learned that the Good News is for non-Jewish people just as much as it is for those who are Jewish. Anyone can receive their inheritance from God. Before all of the apostles and prophets had this revelation about the Good News, whether or not the Good News was for all people was left a mystery. Nobody knew for sure because Jesus did say that He came to save all people, but the Jewish people were God's chosen people. They didn't know if God had changed this or not. Paul says that he sees himself as the least of God's people because of his past, but God uses him to spread the Good News. Paul calls this opportunity a blessing. We should praise God when we help spread the Word. If you've never done it before, it's an amazing experience. Paul says he can reveal the mystery. God created all things but kept them a mystery until Christ. Then, He was able to show people just how infinitely wise He is. Think about it. If He showed everything from the beginning, none of it would be amazing later on. We can be bold and confident in our faith in Christ because that will ultimately save us. Paul wraps up this story by telling the Ephesians not to worry about him when he suffers because he enjoys spreading the Good News, and his suffering brings glory to the Church of Ephesus.
Paul prays for Christians. He prays that He will give us a gift from His ultimate knowledge. He prays that we have strength and power in the Holy Spirit, so Christ can live in us through faith. Again, Paul talks about how Christ lives in us, and it's not by what we've done but because of what He's done for us. He also prays that we set our foundation on love so that all believers can see how vastly huge Christ's love for us is. It goes beyond all knowledge. If love is the main component that we show people, then think how huge that would be if all the believers did that. Now imagine that Jesus' love is even huger than that. We can't even comprehend how huge His love is. It is infinite, like so much else of God, and our minds need boundaries. Paul prays that we, as Christians, be completely filled with God. Let Him be there with you all day everyday. Let Him walk you to class/work, hang out with you and your friends, or simply watch TV with you. Have God with you always and remember He is there. Glory belongs to God, just as Paul says. Give praise that He uses that glory to work in us. The one who created the universe beyond what we can build the most advance telescopes to see. What He can do is infinitely more than what we can do. The church serves only to glorify God and Jesus and should until the end of time. Don't worship Paul, a pastor, a worship leader, or anyone else, and don't let your church move in that direction. That's not what the church is for.
No comments:
Post a Comment