Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"That I should preach among the Gentiles…And to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ."
Text: Ephesians 3:8-9
GOD’S PLAN UNFURLED
As Paul’s comprehension of God’s plan of salvation became clearer and clearer, he found that the Lord had included another aspect. He was given a special vocation “to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”.
There was no mistaking God’s purpose. Paul well captured this understanding in the way he constructed the word “preach”. The following thoughts may be found in this one word.
1. To preach (euaggelisasthai)
The foremost meaning is that of “evangelism”. God wanted Paul to evangelise among the Gentiles. The means of evangelism was the preaching of the unsearchable riches of Christ.
2. A strong sense of purpose
A strong sense of purpose may be discovered in the way Paul used this word. In using “the infinitive” the apostle Paul expressed the fact that he caught God’s calling. This sense of purpose grew on Paul powerfully. He became singularly known as the apostle to the Gentiles over the years. This sense of purpose is well reflected in the following text.
Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling,
not according to our works, but according to His own purpose
and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before
time began…
To which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle,
and a teacher of the Gentiles.
2 TIMOTHY 1:9, 11
This text may well summarize Paul’s life and ministry. The ideas of God’s grace and purpose are well maintained.
a) Salvation (Acts 9:1-19)
b) Calling (Acts 13:2)
c) According to God’s purpose and grace (2 Timothy 1:9)
i) Preacher (Acts 9:15, 16, 20)
ii) Apostle (Acts 14:14)
iii) Teacher of the Gentiles (Acts 13:46)
GOD’S CALLING ALWAYS IN MIND
Right to the very end, Paul bore in mind the calling he received. In a bold testimony before king Agrippa, he spoke of what the risen Saviour, the Lord Jesus spoke to him. Paul remained faithful and true.
I have appeared to you for this purpose,
to make you a minister and a witness…
ACTS 26:16