The Gift of the Grace of God
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 3:1-12. Paul starts this chapter by saying “I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles…” What do you think Paul meant by this statement? Was it meant as a way of identification or was he sharing his credentials?
Paul was in prison in Rome when he was writing this letter. Paul wasn’t in prison for criminal acts as we understand it today in our society, but for his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar, the King of Rome, when he was accused of causing a riot.
Paul considered himself to be the prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles. Paul had given up his own life as a Jewish scholar and government official to do, instead, what God wanted him to do. Paul felt he was where he was by the will of Jesus Christ.
The grace of God to the Gentiles was revealed to Paul through the mystery of Christ. Paul spoke of this mystery in the previous chapter. The mystery wasn’t revealed to men in the past, but was now revealed to God’s holy apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit.
The mystery was that the Gentiles would have an equal share and be of the same body as the Jews. The Gentiles were made to be part of the blessed promise of Christ through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The ministry that God gave Paul was to the Gentiles and he was carrying out the ministry regardless of his location. Paul was called to be a minister by the gift of the grace of God. Through the working of God’s power, he was called to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. Even though Paul thought of himself as being “less than the least of all of God’s chosen people,” God gave him the grace to preach to the Gentiles about the unsearchable riches of Christ.
It was Paul’s duty to explain the plan of God for salvation to the Gentiles. God had kept His plan for the Gentiles a secret from the beginning of time. The plan was that through the church, the wisdom of God would be known to all the apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit.
God’s plan from the beginning was that through Jesus Christ we might all have boldness and confidence to access God, the Father, through our faith in Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior. It no longer mattered if we were a Jew or a Gentile.
We are reminded of this in John 3:16 which says, “For God so loved the word, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God is not a respecter of persons. Notice in this Scripture He said “whosoever believeth.” He made a way for all of us through His precious Son.
Paul reiterates the fact that the gospel of Christ was for both the Jew and the Gentile in these Scriptures:
Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Romans 2:10: “But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.”
Daily Bible Reading:
Ephesians 3:1-12
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:
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Things to think about:
- Paul was called of God to preach the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles. What has God called you to do for Him?
- God has given us all special gifts and talents we can use for Him. What are the gifts with which God has blessed you?
- In what ways has God used you to spread the gospel?
- What are some ways we can use our gifts and talents to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
In this Scripture we see Paul’s dedication to carry out Your will by preaching Your plan of salvation to the Gentiles. Help us seek to do Your will in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in this day and age. Thank You that You made a way for us all to become Christians and be saved from our sins. We thank You that we have access to You through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Help us to pray and come boldly to Your throne of grace with all our cares and concerns. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Daily Bible Verse:
partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 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. – Ephesians 3:6-7
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Featured Book:
The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus
by Deborah H. Bateman
The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is a study of the book of Ephesians from the New Testament of the Bible. Ephesians is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters, which was written to the church at Ephesus.
In the book of Ephesians Paul reminds us that we are chosen of God. He encourages us to walk in unity in the church. He talks about our various relationships including our relationship with Christ, with each other, the husband-wife relationship and others. He also exhorts us to put on the full armor of God so that we are clothed for battle against the enemy.
The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus consists of twelve lessons, which can be used for an individual daily Bible study or a group Bible study. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day.
For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.
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Have a blessed day,
Deborah
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