Ephesians 3:1-13

Petch · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:58 am Post subject: Ephesians 3:1-13

in Ephesians 3:1-13

What is the "mystery" to which Paul refers?

For some people being part of a church is the least attractive part of being a Christian. Knowing God? Yes. Having Christ as Savior? Yes. Being empowered by the Holy Spirit? Yes. Being part of the church? Not so sure! But the Gospel is not only about individuals being reconciled to God, it is about a new community growing together where we are all "members ... of one body, and sharers ... in the promise in Christ Jesus" (6).

Paul makes an amazing statement about this: "His intent was that ... through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms" (10). God does this through the church! Perhaps there is a foreshadowing of this when God let Satan attack Job to show the resources he had to respond (see Job 1:6-12). Later in Ephesians, there is the assurance that God will reveal his wisdom and strength to these powers through his people (6:10-20). United we stand, divided we fall is possibly never as true as in God's provision for us of his Church. By that unity, we show God's wisdom and power to the world.

Petch · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 7:55 am Post subject:

Christian unity: hard work needed. Rather than confrontation or argument, Paul urges a different approach - humility, gentleness, patience and forbearance. Humility, which recognizes the value of others and their perspective; gentleness, which treats people who are different from us considerately; patience, which strives to understand where others are coming from; and forbearance, which overlooks faults and foibles - these are the attitudes that facilitate Christian unity.