Devotion for 20 May 2011 Anno Domini

Devotion for 20 May 2011 Anno Domini

“1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” (Eph 3:1-11).

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.” Certainly, Paul is a willing prisoner, and a prisoner cannot go wherever he pleases, but must remain in the place designated by the authority to whom he is prisoner. Paul must carry the Gospel to the Gentiles – not by his own choice, but that of the Lord. Ministers are often called, as was Jonah, to go where they would not go, and to minister to those whom they may have held in contempt. This requires a further change in heart, nurtured by the Holy Spirit.

“If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward.” Paul is used by God as a channel for His Grace to the Gentiles. In times past, the Law was given to Israel, but now the Gospel of Grace is extended to all who will respond by God’s Grace. God gives us gifts which we are expected, in turn, to give away; but in giving, we never loose an ounce in Grace, but gain thereby. Grace emanates from love. The measure of real love cannot be discovered because it is a flowing fountain. It is never exhausted. Once it pours, it grows to a gushing Spring of Life.

“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ).” A mystery is something that is hidden from the casual observer. The whereabouts of gold and silver is a mystery to 99.99% of the population, but the seeker of gold veins and silver knows the nature of the metals and where to look for their possible place of hiding. Likewise, if we are in fervent love of God’s Word, we shall learn the nature of its Author and study, in detail, all that He speaks. Thereby, He will reveal many precious mysteries to our minds which others cannot see. Simply receiving a letter from a distant friend tells us nothing of that friend’s conversation – the letter must be read!

“Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” Always in time past, there has been a testimony and prophetic Word of God; however, the fullness of the Gospel has opened in full wonder and beauty to all who will come to the Fountain of Living Waters. The shoot of a rose bush has no appeal or beauty, but as the bush grows, and the rose bud appears, we begin to see the promise of great beauty. As the bud opens into a glorious and beautiful rose, our expectations are nearly satisfied! But then, we desire more and more of the roses! The Gentiles are “fellowheirs and of the same body!” God does not have two Chosen people, but One only. Christ has opened to all the privileges of grace and love.

“Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.” Who made thee a minister of the Gospel? Did the bishop of the local church, a vote of the congregation, a private decision on your part? Never! We are made ministers by the Grace of God! The evidence thereof is the “effectual working of His power” in our lives. The man, called of God, cannot remain silent regarding the Word that God has called Him to preach regardless of the disparagement of men and institutions. As Paul says in another place: “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. “ (1 Cor 1:20-21)

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Well before a man can approach the bar of Gospel preaching, he must KNOW in his heart that he is totally without worth to handle so high a calling. It is the very moment when the minister or lay person begins to feel that they are “good enough” is the very moment that they are depraved and without excuse. WE are never good enough to be a minister, or a member of the Altar Guild, or fundamentally a Christian – NEVER! It is the righteousness of Christ, imputed to us, that makes us worthy and righteous. This, we MUST remember above all else!

“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Our duty, as ministers, Christians, and believers, is to reveal the beauty of the mysteries hidden in God from the foundation of the world. Christ was the executive Power at Creation (John 1:1-3). His Church, if it will dispense Truth, must be aware of the largesse of precious mysteries to be had in Christ. Have they forgotten? Christ did not devise a new purpose in His coming – it has ever been an eternal purpose which owed its fulfillment to His coming a walking among men in human form; to live such a life as we must know is Holy; to die a sacrificial death for our Redemption, and to rise from the Tomb of death on the third day and ascend to the Father where He today is our Advocate and Intermediary. Knowest thou these things?