God's Way (Ephesians 3:7-13)

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 3:7-13

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

COMMENT

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.

Paul was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace. Don't know why, but today is strikes me, who chooses who receives a gift? It is not the recipient, but the donor. Not sure if that is part of the intent of Paul's teaching here, but if so, it seems to lend toward the idea that it is God, not man, who chooses salvation, since it also is referred to as a gift. One thing that Paul seems to be evidently stating, is that his gift in ministry was by God's doing, and a show of God's power, not his own. Goes right along with his teaching about no one having a reason to boast.

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given

This reinforces Paul's idea regarding humility. Anyone think it strange that God chose the least of all saints to write so much of the New Testament? I don't, seeing as how that is a pattern that God tends to follow, that of using the humble and weak to get the job done.

to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things

God had a plan. Man could not see it, and God was not ready to reveal it. Man was blinded by his desire for comfort, ease, blessing. God knew what needed to be done. Even today, so many yearn for comfort, ease, blessing, and are blinded by that so that when things don't go their way they assume God has forgotten them. Or maybe they just don't have enough faith. But perhaps the truth is that God is hiding his plan because either we are not ready to see it or He just needs us to trust Him. If God created all things, are our circumstances really out of His awareness or control?

so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places

I wonder if the church is fulfilling this responsibility today. I know that it is, but is it doing so in the full measure of what it is capable of? I doubt it. Is it doing it up to the measure that God sets forth? Absolutely.

The problem is not God, it is the church's response to the gospel. When some churches follow a message that is really not the gospel can we expect those churches to fulfill their responsibility to make God known to others, whether rulers or just neighbors? 

Also, who are the "authorities in the heavenly places?" Is the true church also testifying to the demons and angels, making God known to them? Yes, I know that the demons believe, but making God known would also seem to involve making His character known to them, something I believe they miss entirely.

This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory

Don't lose heart. Two days after an election, and many are frustrated. Perhaps even more so, if their candidate is behind. Fraud and other charges, real or imagined, will be verbalized. But whatever the end result, whether truthful or manipulated, eventually we will have to live with it. So do not lose heart. The same God who created all things is still over all things, and nothing is out of His sight or control. If He knows the number of hairs on your head, He certainly knows what is going on in every aspect of the world. Do not lose heart, even when things do not go you way.