DAY 7. God's Plan for One Family - Ephesians 3:1–6

1. SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 3:1–6
1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.  
 
2. OBSERVATIONS :
- What did this passage mean to its original audience?

• Paul wrote Ephesians while imprisoned in Rome. By calling himself a "prisoner of Christ Jesus," he was asserting that Jesus was the one who determined his destiny, not the Roman authorities. Jesus had allowed Paul’s imprisonment for a greater purpose. Paul had been entrusted with preaching “the mystery of Christ”. The “mystery” which was not understood by previous generations of Jews has now been revealed by the Holy Spirit.
  
    The mystery is that “Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.  No longer do Gentiles need to become Jews via circumcision and adopting the Law of Moses to be part of God’s Family. Faith in Jesus is the condition for family membership.

- What does this passage reveal about God?

• God had a purpose for Paul’s life and that purpose was not thwarted by the injustice of his Roman imprisonment. God’s purpose in saving individuals is to unite them as one family.  
  
  

- What does this passage reveal about human nature?

• The Jews often focused more on their need to separate themselves from Gentiles than to be a light to them. The first Jewish believers in Jesus struggled to accept that Gentiles could be accepted into God’s family on equal footing with them. The tendency to prefer our “in-group” and view our “in-group” as superior to others is all too common.

 3. APPLICATION: What does this passage impact my affections, attitudes and actions?
1. Attitudes — I am inspired and greatly challenged by Paul’s statement in vs 1.  I need to have the same attitude and trust that God is the one who determines my destiny. This means that when I experience misfortune or mistreatment I won’t be so quick to have a pity-party but instead I will ask God to help me to think about my circumstances in light of the fact that He “works all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

2. Affections — My heart is stirred to praise God for His faithfulness and his love for all people.

3. Actions — If Paul could continue to share the gospel even while imprisoned unjustly, how much more should I use the freedoms I have to preach the gospel.  I will strive to lead our church to welcome and incorporate people from all backgrounds into our fellowship.

4. PRAYER:
Dear God, thank you for what you have done through Jesus to save people from every tribe, tongue and nation. Help me trust you to fulfill the purpose you have called me to no matter what comes my way. Help me to derive my satisfaction from knowing I am fulfilling your purpose for me rather than seeking satisfaction from worldly pleasure, possessions, or positions.

In Jesus' precious name, Amen.