This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Ephesians 3:6 [ESV]
Well, I know that it has been a week since I posted. Last week I was working normal office hours from 8am to 6pm and then heading to a test location here in the Puget Sound area to working until 2am before getting back home to bed and back up for work at 8am to start that process over again. It was a big slog, but I was able to catch up on my sleep this weekend and thankful to be back to a normal schedule this week.
I love this passage of Ephesians where we get to see the full nature of Paul’s ministry come to life. Paul the apostle to the Gentiles (non-Israelites/non-Jews) tells the church at Ephesus that Jews and Gentiles are now one big family in the Lord Jesus Christ. For those that accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, reap the gift of sons and daughters of the Almighty God and will inherit eternal life.
One of the theological stances I have heard in the past is that once Jesus came, that Israelites (sons and daughters of Abraham) do not have the promise the Lord gave to them through Abraham in Genesis 17. That the remnant in Israel spoke of in Revelation is only those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. I struggle to see this as a firm point for one reason alone; God always keeps His promises. In Genesis 17, the promise is clear and at the same time, through Jesus there is so much more available to the Jews than what they have without Him.
The mystery revealed through the Gospel that Paul speaks of is so powerful. When you read back in Genesis of the promises made to the Children of Israel through Abraham, it is an amazing thing that God would choose a people for Himself. To know now that I have an equal place adopted into that family as a child of the Living God, is so amazing! The Holy Spirit I have received as a believer also provides me with a ‘help’ that assists me in navigating this life before being called home with my Savior.
Today’s Psalm:
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
Psalms 34:4-5 [ESV]
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.