See Eph 1:9
Having made know to us the mystery of His will, according to the good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
This is something that God has done for us, and is doing for us, and will do for us.
It has to do with His revealing that which otherwise could not be known.
God's mysteries, must be explained and revealed by God, or we could not know them.
He has done this for us, and as mentioned is doing it, and will continue to do it.
What is it?
Well, it has to do with His will, and it's His good pleasure to do so.
One of the great and simple things about the Bible ( no pun intended when talking about mystery ) is that the Bible is the best commentary for explaining and applying what it teaches. In other words, the Bible will tell us what it is teaching.
And such is the case with what's said in Ephesians 1:9, by going to Ephesians 3:3-6, we see that Paul calls it the mystery of Christ, and tells us that in other or past ages it was not made known, but it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.
Specifically, that Gentiles, or non Jews should become fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.
When God chose the nation of Israel, no one then knew that God would also save non Jews. In fact, in the Book of Acts, the mystery of the Gentiles being saved, slowly unfolded to the believers and the apostles etc.
God has chosen to make both Jew and Gentile one in Jesus Christ.
The mystery on a personal level, means that anyone can be saved, by placing their faith in Jesus Christ.
In fact, the letter to the Ephesians, is a letter to Greeks, and in the letter speaks of them being saved, chosen, forgiven, accepted etc, etc.
A few applicational thoughts........
1. We can thank God for showing us His love and His will for our lives.
2. We can tell others that God can save them also.
3. We are actually called by God to share His love, truth, mercy and grace.
4. The Gospel is the best news in the whole world.
5. The soul of man is the most valuable thing in all the world.
6. God sent Jesus to save men's souls from judgment.
7. God gives us understanding about His will.
8. Let's be available to Him today, to be used by Him.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
