Ephesians 3:7-13

Ephesians 3:7-13 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

God's grace not only made Paul a born again person; his grace made him an effective servant to preach the good news to the Gentiles. God's unlimited grace transforms us from fruitless, finite human beings into eternal, purposeful servants. We become like him through his grace. We are not just white-washed humans with a mission: God has changed our very character through the power of the Holy Spirit, illustrating his love and compassion for people. If God's grace has taken hold in our hearts, we will have his nature flowing from the innermost parts of our beings. We will not be aloof, judgmental, and demanding; we will be engaging, accepting, and loving. We will not see the world through a critical gaze, but our hearts will break because of people's suffering and alienation. We will want to see the lost redeemed, brought back into God's fold. We will be servants for the cause of Christ as Paul was. His total identity was wrapped up in saving the Gentiles from destruction, indicating his total acceptance of God's calling upon his life.

As Paul shared the unsearchable riches of Christ with the Ephesians, he told them to not be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, for he knew he was doing God's will. He knew his personal walk was not a Paul-walk, but a servant-walk, ordained by God. As Christ's servant, he was no longer his own. He knew that IN CHRIST, he had the wonderful right and privilege to approach God with confidence. He wanted the Gentiles to know that mystery; therefore, he became God's hand extended to the heathen world. His personal walk and life revealed the transforming power of God in human beings. Saul, the rebel, the killer, becomes Paul the lover and rescuer of the sinful Gentiles. Paul became the good Samaritan who crossed to the other side of the road to rescue the wounded and dying. He left his Jewish community and reached out to the Gentiles. He was not just a traveler through this finite world; he was an ambulance, rescuing and picking up all who would listen to his message of God's mercy and grace. He expended his all for their salvation. He was no longer on his time clock; he was on God's time, intent upon functioning in the now. As a living sacrifice, Paul tarried with the sick and the lost, bringing health and salvation to their souls.

Paul, the former Saul, was God's handiwork, created for good works. As God's handiwork IN CHRIST, we follow in his footsteps. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) The living body of Christ plays an essential role in redeeming man to God. As his ambassadors, messengers, and healers, members of the body of Christ, we demonstrate God's personality to the world by rescuing the sick and the dying. The church constantly and consistently crosses over to the other side of the road to help the lost and needy of our day. We should willingly give our strength, knowledge, and wealth for God's transforming purposes. Even the devil who leaves humanity bruised and broken on the other side of the road KNOWS God has revealed his salvation plan THROUGH CHRIST. Along with the angelic realm, even Satan recognizes the manifold wisdom (plan) of God to redeem the lost. One at a time, God brings back the sheep who have strayed from his fold and his divine purposes. As the Good Shepherd carries each sheep back into the fold through the actions of the Holy Spirit, He reveals his power at work through the ministry of his church, his body. Therefore my friend, take up the cross and follow Jesus. Fully commit to Christ, to his will. As part of his great body, piercing the darkness of the wilderness, you will see the lost found and the broken made whole. How greatly we are blessed!