The Mystery Revealed

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Ephesians 3:4-6

We are so used to the idea that God has opened His doors to the Gentiles that we have forgotten how odd it was to the Jews of Jesus’ day.

Paul calls it a “mystery”! An ancient mystery at that!

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

I’m going through quite a tough time right now, and this benediction is a good reminder for me. Not only is Jesus able to take me through, He is able to do “far more abundantly than all we ask or think” — and it's through “the power at work within us”!

No room for racism

Galatians 3

For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise.

Galatians 3:26‭-‬29

Everyone who is in Christ has been adopted as children of God. So there is no room for racism.

Blessing

‘Yahweh bless you, and keep you.  Yahweh make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you.  Yahweh lift up his face toward you, and give you peace.’

Numbers 6:24‭-‬26

This is the benediction that many churches still use to end their Sunday services. Here is an awesome song based on these words.

Messing up

But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they didn’t walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?

Galatians 2:11‭-‬14

Two lessons from this:

1. Even good leaders can mess up, so we must be careful not to put people on a pedestal, and evaluate everything in the light of scripture.
2. When we mess up ourselves, we need to have the humility to accept correction. (Remember the lesson from Saturday's LNG?)

Father, when I'm wrong, may I be open to receive correction, and also be discerning what others say. I'm Jesus' name, amen

Don't write them off

but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.”

Galatians 1:23

Saul was one of the big persecutors of the early church, yet God reached down and saved him and he became one of the greatest evangelists.

Even today, people who used to persecute have been saved and now share the Gospel.

So we shouldn't write anyone off completely. God does not desire for the wicked to perish, but that they repent and be saved.

Father, help me to see our "enemies" in this light. In Jesus' name, amen.