Click here to watch my video reflection on our text for today, or keep reading for my written reflections: 

Today’s reading is from Ephesians 3: 1-13: 

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, 3 and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4 a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5 In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

7 Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8 Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. 13 I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory.

Today we look at verses 1-13 of chapter 3 and we see initially one of those common themes we have seen through Paul, especially in Galatians.  We see Paul say that this faith given to them was given by God, through the Apostles, with the purpose of going to the Gentiles. Very much the same thing we heard him say repeatedly in the book of Galatians, this is God’s purpose and God’s plan, grace to all.  

But we do see Paul’s emphasis on God’s action, more so than ours. God is the one working, this is God’s plan, God’s work, God’s effort.  Rest secure in God’s work.  

But here is something else we can do.  Not just rest secure in God’s action, but we can now boldly approach God. It isn’t just that we are loved by the Father, but we are atoned for and forgiven through the Son. As Christians, we do not need to cower before the Father, but instead, we can boldly go into the presence of the Father as loved and forgiven children. 

You are loved.  

In the same way, our children will boldly come before us with requests because they are secure in the love that we have for them as parents, we can go before the Father in the same assurance.  You are loved.  You are forgiven.  You are His. 

You don’t have to be afraid or run from the Father.  Go before Him with confidence, with assurance.  With peace.  You are loved and forgiven by the Father. 

Go before Him boldly with your concerns, your fears, your doubts, your everything.  

You are His beloved and forgiven child.  Never forget or doubt that.  

Tomorrow, we’ll look at Ephesians 3: 14-21.

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