Scripture: “…this grace was given to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God—who created all things—so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord (in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him)…
…according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth…and length…and height…and depth…and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge…”(excerpts from Eph 3:8 through 3:19).
Observation: Key words: Mystery, Purpose, and Comprehension. There is a Mystery to be searched out; a Purpose to be found out; a Comprehension to embrace—this is the voyage of the Believer, to boldly go where he is supposed to go…
Application: The Gospel.
The Gospel is an unfathomable subject. It is a true mystery with an eternal purpose from before time began. God does give creation and a creature like me a glimpse of the purpose of the Gospel although the depth can probably not ever be fully found. But, it doesn’t mean it isn’t supposed to be searched for…and declared.
While the Gospel is simple, simple enough that a child is supposed to be able to understand it, it is not simplistic. There are facets to the Gospel that books and commentary throughout the last 2,000 years have been written and maybe they have only scratched the surface.
I am daily amazed at the Gospel.
One particular mystery that I think about often is “I understand saving [so and so] but why me?” “Why me?” is the response I usually have when I look in the mirror and examine myself (2nd Cor 13:5).
Nevertheless I benefit from God’s unimaginable Grace and Mercy.
Here are a few hints of what to do:
- Paul refers to “the unsearchable riches of Christ”: Search for them anyway. Remember the parable of the Pearl of Great Price. If I think I have found all I need I am short-changing myself on the Treasure.
- What is “the mystery hidden for ages?” It is the church; the Church is the “many sided” or diverse Wisdom of God—manifested to both the seen and unseen sides of Creation. How does that play out in my personal embrace of “walking worthy of the Gospel?”
- According to the “eternal purpose realized through Christ Jesus”, what do I deserve? What has been accomplished in Christ that I don’t deserve but get? What is it that I need to comprehend?
I am aware that I need to practice the “crown toss” more (Rev 4:10). Hard to do when the “old man” rears his ugly head all…the…time. But, the Gospel instructs me that I don’t deserve His Grace; I get it anyway; by Faith in Jesus’ work on the Cross I have been set free—sin no longer has dominion on me. So by faith, I humbly draw near to God and guess what? He draws near to me.
The Truth sets me free. What Truth? Jesus died being the propitiation for my Sin. I don’t deserve it. I fight against it and in parallel for it (through the Power of the Holy Spirit) daily. Jesus never lets me go and continues to change me into His Image.
How unbelievably cool is that?
Prayer: Lord, what can I say to You for loving me so? Thank you for all that You have done to bring me this far. Take me to the end, to that Day, when sight replaces faith. AMEN.