with Elder Elico Manenji
✝️The Apostle here presents the testimony of Jesus, the mystery of the knowledge of salvation that had been hid from past ages. That it is this mystery from all ages, that Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body with the Jews. To this doctrine the Apostle says he was called to ministry of this unsearchable riches of Christ and to make known the principalities and powers this eternal purpose of God. For the reason of this gospel he desires them not to be discouraged on account of tribulations or trials that may come to them. But instead that they be filled with all the fulness of God bodily in Christ Jesus.
*1️⃣Ephesians 3:1-13:The gospel is God's unsearchable wisdom in the salvation of all mankind who believe*
⏹️The gospel is a divine mystery, a revelation of the calling of the Gentiles into the universal enjoyment of the Messianic blessing in Christ Jesus Messiah which had been hid in ages past. The Apostle Peter says, *"Why gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"(1 Peter 1:13).*
⏭️The gospel is God's dispensation of grace by which God gives ministers their calling, the gospel is a revelation of God's inclusive love for all mankind who come in repentance so they can change from sinfulness to sinlessness, from being enemies to being heirs, from being sinners to being saints. The Apostle says, *"Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began"(Romans 16:25).*
⏹️The gospel of Christ results in justification by faith and shuts down religious exclusiveness such as race, culture and hatred and brings love, unity and faith. The Apostle says, *"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ"(Ephesians 4:13).*
⏭️As we are committed to this gospel, every Christian is given a gift which enjoins them to the proclamation of this gospel mystery. So the gospel is a depositum, a public treasure, committed to the keeping of every Christian; each person having a several trust for the honour of this kingdom delivered to them. The Apostle Jude wrote saying, *"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write to you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints"( Jude 1:3).*
*2️⃣Ephesians 3:14-21: God's infinite love in Christ should strengthen our faith and knowledge as glory is returned for His name sake.*
⏹️All true Christians, called to the knowledge of the gospel mystery are one family with God, united in purpose with God heavenly family, knit together as one in Christ Jesus. The Apostle says, *"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world to our glory"(1 Corinthians 2:7).*
⏭️As God's family, our prayers should be addressed to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ by the effectual power of the Holy Spirit who made it possible for mankind to be joined in union with God and one another. The Apostle says, *"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption"(Ephesians 4:30).*
⏹️So when we come before God to address Him, our prayers of humility, faith and love should glorify His Holy Name from whom all blessing flow. Before we ask, God knows what we want and what is beneficial for us and so He makes provisions for our needs. The Psalmist says, *"O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker"( Psalm 95:6).*
⏭️Our needs are made known to Him by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit in us for without the Spirit, we know not what to ask for nor how to ask aright as we think, conceive and imagine but He makes provisions exceedingly abundantly above what we think or imagined. The prophet Isaiah says, *"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither has the eye seen, O God, beside you, what he has prepared for him that waits for him"(Isaiah 64:4).*
The Apostle quoting the above text says,
*"But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him"(1 Corinthians 2:9).*
*🅰️Appeal*
God's church comprise of members in heaven and on earth, united by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, depending on Him as the whole family in heaven and earth is named after Him, for as one family, one household we are blessed through Him. The prophet Jeremiah says, *"In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name with which she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness"( Jeremiah 33:16).* Amen!!!
Elico Manenji
(+263712952704)
No comments:
Write comments