As I (Paul) briefly wrote earlier, God Himself
revealed His mysterious plan to me. Ephesians 3:3
God has written about “mysteries” in
several places in the Bible. This mystery that Paul wrote about here in
Ephesians is not some spooky, hidden or ambiguous legend. The mystery is just
something that wasn’t understood during the Old Testament time and that was
revealed or explained in the New Testament. Below are a few verses that illustrate
that. We can’t totally comprehend God, but He does give us some wise guidance.
Just as you cannot understand the path of
the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother's womb, so you
cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. Ecclesiastes
11:5
I want you to understand this mystery, dear
brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of
the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full
number of Gentiles comes to Christ. Romans 11:25
No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of
God—His plan that was previously hidden, even though He made it for our
ultimate glory before the world began. 1 Corinthians 2:7
This is a great mystery, but it is an
illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. Ephesians 5:32
They must be committed to the mystery of the
faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. ... Without question,
this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and
vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations.
He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. 1
Timothy 3:9, 16
Jesus is one of the mysteries that we are privileged
to have explained. He came down from Heaven—lived as a human, since He was
human, and then after His death and resurrection, He went back to Heaven.
Another mystery is that Gentiles—the non-Jews of the world—are fellow heirs
with the Jews, fellow partakers of the promise of Jesus Christ.
And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and
Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's
children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of
blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. Ephesians 3:6.
What a plan! In His grace and wisdom God
gave a mystery…and then showed us the answer. We are to be His children—Jews and
Gentiles.
Prayer
~ Dear Jesus, it is such an honor to be part of Your family—to be part of the
family of God. Mystery revealed. You are such an example for all of us. Loving
and accepting everyone. Even my little 4-year old grandgirl knows that You
taught that we are to treat others like we want to be treated. Nice. Thank you
for teaching us to love one another. Love—that is the key to life. Love. Love
God, love your neighbor as yourself. Such wisdom.
© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT)
unless otherwise noted.
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