Ephesians 2:4-10 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them
Paul, speaking to the Gentiles, preached that God in Jesus Christ invited the Gentiles into the family of God. On this side of the Cross, Jesus Christ, is the salvation of the world not only to the Jew but also to the Gentile believers.
John 12:20-21 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. 23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
There were those Gentiles in the time of Jesus who sought Him to know His teachings. The Jews were raised not to have anything to do with the Gentiles. Jesus was only interested in the path that was laid before Him…the crucifixion and His sacrifice on the Cross. His coming to earth was for the Jews but after His resurrection His salvation would come to the world.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Acts 15:13-17 13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16 ‘After this I will return
And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
Says the Lord who does all these things.’
Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Jesus is the only way to the Father. Now, after the Cross, there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, slave nor free. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that through Him the world could be saved. Our faith alone pleases the Father and by it we can accept the gift of salvation in Christ alone.
2 Peter 3:15-18 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Romans 16:25-27 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
The inclusion of the Gentiles in salvation was kept secret by God until it was revealed to Paul on the road to Damascus. To Paul was revealed that faith alone in Jesus saves any person who accepts Him. Faith allow us to hear the still, small voice of Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit who was given to the Jews at Pentecost abides in us. Mankind was made in God’s image. Jesus is the truth and the light. Holy Spirit is alive in us and enables to understand the deeper things of Christ. We live and abide in Christ alone. To God be all glory! Carla
The word establish is only used twice in Romans. At the beginning of the book, Paul expresses a desire to visit the Romans that he might impart some spiritual gift to them so that they would be “established” (1:11). Now he praises God who is able to do it. God used the gospel, which is the preaching of Jesus Christ, to establish the Roman believers. Paul speaks of his message as a mystery (11:25) because God’s complete plan of salvation was at first hidden but now was being revealed. The revealed mystery is that the church will consist of both Jews and Gentiles united in the one body of Christ (Ephesians 3:1–13). The NKJV Study Bible
Colossians 1:26–27 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Ephesians 1:9 | having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
Romans 1:5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
Romans 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
Ephesians 3:3–6 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)…
Whatever it is, the light of compassion brings people out of hiding, out of unease and out of fear. The light that invites courage and renewal and resilience. And that, well, that is light worth spilling. And it is the light of Grace. But here’s the good news. That which you can give, already exists inside. You see; this is about spilling light.
This is not just an invitation to what we must do, or about accolades, or status. This is an affirmation of what is already alive and well within us.
We—every single one of us—have the capacity to be places of shelter and hope and inclusion and healing.
“Dear God, may we find strength in each other, courage in community, and peace in the presence of love. May those grieving be held gently, and may we all be prepared not just for disaster, but for compassion, connection, and healing.” Amen. (Thank you, Clint Hurdle)
“Sabbath Moments” Terry Hershey
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