one body through one gospel

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Ephesians 3:1-13

[Together as a She Reads Truth community, we are reading through Ephesians. Sign up for the reading plan here!]

Text: Ephesians 3:1-13

I like a good mystery.  An old crinkled up paperback with a cup of coffee and a blanket. But, oh my word – how much better a mystery involving Christ, His love for me, and the incredibly Good News of what He’s done for me.

In this passage, Paul lets us know there was a great mystery, it is part of His calling to reveal that great mystery, and it’s a secret that hasn’t been known to generations in the past. Let’s lean in close and listen carefully.

Verse six says, “the mystery is that that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakes of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (ESV) This, friends is the definition of Good News for us.

Up until this time it was believed that you had to be born in – you had to be a Jew, an heir, a partaker in True Life based on the heritage of your blood. What Paul explains is that Jesus’ blood has nullified the law and the hierarchy – making us, gentiles (non-Jews) partakers in the Life that He offers by faith through grace.

It’s a crazy and big idea to be chosen and reborn into a family, belonging to Somebody, the only One who matters and created this world and to state like Paul, “I am the very least of all the saints…” (vs 8 ESV). How does it shift your day, your purpose to know that you are a nobody who is loved, called, set apart by Somebody?

Are you exercising your life with the “boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him” (vs 12 ESV) – as an heir? As a daughter?

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22 thoughts on "one body through one gospel"

  1. RM says:

    I’m thankful for these devotions. Please pray as I grow in my relationship with God. There are times when I lose focus and feel defeated…then I’m reminded of the hope and victory I have in Him.

  2. Latesia says:

    God has given us Grace and Favor even though we were unworthy of it. That's why i am so happy that God has given us another chance by dying on the Cross for our sins. I love having a relationship with him. Everyday I have been growing and getting closer to the Lord. It really does make a difference when you worship and spend time in God's word. I feel so much more at peace.

  3. PJ_Sigma22 says:

    This has definitely been on my mind in the past weeks. More so that ‘Christians’ will crusify of flesh other relations and other Christians as well according to their own judgement. I firmly believe that everything works together for the glory of God. If we spent more time focused on our own promises, dedicated to our own relationship, believing in the word of God that says for all have sinned… The wages of sin… We should all be dead. But due to Gods grace and mercy we have another chance day in and day out. God is a wonderful God! He says that we are his children, to have for his own! Amen! I wish we spent more time being true to the word of God than trying to fulfill our own prophesy. Thank you Lord for saving my soul. #Amen

  4. vjlcpht says:

    God's original plan was for the Jews to spread the word of God to bring the Gentiles to a belief in God. Yes, they are the chosen people. But not just chosen to worship Him alone, chosen to share Him. I don't think they fully understood that goal. So Christ came as an example to the Jews of the way in which they too are to share the Gospel. When they still did'n't quit get it, He used Paul ( the most devout of Jews ) to spread the message to everyone. I am so thankful that Jesus set that example and that through the Holy Spirit I heard and understood the message ( mystery ). I , you , we all are chosen . That is the most powerful part of the "mystery" to me. That He has always known me and chosen me even before I knew or chose Him. I will face this day with renewed confidence and peace. " If God is for us…. Who can stand against us !!! "

  5. Natalie says:

    I love the questions at the end of the Devo today because they are making me get real and raw. I know no one lives in the power and purpose of God perfectly this side of heaven; however, how often am I living in this truth? When I am, do I really live it out as a daughter of the Most High? My husband and I ask each other the question about once a year… What would I do if I knew I wouldn’t fail for God? Today reminded me to take that more seriously and not to get caught up in this world, but to live as His daughter accomplishing great things for Him and inviting others to do the same.

  6. I can actually understand exactly how Paul feels in this chapter because God has given me the ability to be able to understand the message of Christ in a way that many cannot. He has given me the gift of being able to understand the Scriptures in a way that others can understand. With that comes a lot of suffering sometimes because some people will try to come against those who have this gift. But just know that it is worth it because the Gospel is the greatest thing ever known to mankind’

  7. Perry says:

    I think a lot of times we as believers limit ourselves to what is possible only in man’s eyes never in God’s eyes. In addition, I think we all at some point struggle with the idea that Christ already considers us as part of His family before we even accept Him as part of ours. I know I for one struggle with being confident in Christ and knowing that everything will be alright because He has already called it to be. These verses challenge me to step out on faith and accept the love that Christ so willingly offers.

  8. Debora says:

    I just want to say Thank you for the message, very inspirring

  9. hopejoypeace says:

    I love verse 12: "When we trust in Him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go." (the Message)

    This is the power of surrendering it all to God! Surrender = Freedom

  10. merritts79 says:

    You know, I've been in church all my life and read Paul's writings for years. I think until this very minute, I always thought of myself as one of the "insiders", as he says, because I thought he was talking about Christians and non-Christians, but he's not! He's talking about Jews and Gentiles and that means I'm an "outsider"! Praise God that He made a way for "outsiders/non-Jews" like me to spend eternity with Him!

  11. Kristen says:

    @Jenn, when you open the plan, click on the gear (setting menu) on the bottom of the screen and catch up the plan. It will move the does unread day to today…it’ll catch you up whether you’re behind or ahead

  12. Jenn says:

    This is more of a maintenance question. I started late, but wanted to keep on track with the community so I read ahead and caught up. Is there a way in youversion to direct it that I've completed additional days. It's tracking based on my start date and I'd like to modify it. Any help is greatly appreciated. THANKS AND GOD BLESS!

    Jenn

  13. Aneta Nina says:

    we all need to be reminded of this…we have so much power through Christ to change things here on earth! thank you for this reminder and encouragement!!

  14. Kinna Walker says:

    Reading this post + "I Can Only Imagine" playing on Pandora Praise & Worship station in the background made me a little teary-eyed.

    v.12 "Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence." (NIV) Why, oh why, do I second guess myself when every step, every breath I take has been planned beforehand by my Creator, my Father? There's no reason for it. Because of my faith in Jesus Christ, I may come "boldly and confidently into God's presence" with anything! Any questions I have or any hardship I'm having, I can take a moment and come Christ and ask that these burdens off of my shoulders and into his hands. I can't tell you how many times I've had to Let Go and Let God. What a blessing it is to always be able to do this, no matter how little, petty, or big our problem.

  15. Nicki says:

    Verse 8: "to me, though I am the least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ," (ESV) Paul considered it a privillege to serve others, to preach the gospel. We need to do that too. how often do I consider it a drudgery to serve customers in my job every day or groan at the thought of preaching the gospel to someone because I feel inadequate? I need to feel all this as a privillege and realize God has given me grace to do it.

  16. Danielle says:

    Although I have read this before and heard it taught in Sunday service, this morning is was a great reminder of God's love for us all. How He revealed it to us so we can be confident and bold sharing His good news. Great word for this Monday morning!

    1. Lydie says:

      Jill I could just picture the scene the boys ruinnng up the driveway opening the gate and then spending much time around the table on your beautiful, covered patio/dining room. (Did Laramie make the dessert this time? ) I will be praying that your visit with your parents would be rich and sweet filled beyond measure with God’s grace and blessing. Have a wonderful day!

  17. vicky says:

    So cool to read that no matter who we are we are accepted by faith in Jesus Christ. That our relationship with God is based on our trust in Jesus Christ. That means to me is I must seek my Lord of Lord and King of Kings tor all trust and forgiveness to move on with my life. Passages of hope and inspriration today.

  18. StephanieR says:

    I love verses 11 & 12! "Everything is happening just the way God planned it even down to Jesus death. Because I trust Him, I am free to say whatever I need to and go where ever I need to go to proclaim it! (my paraphrase) This is what I need backing me up! I can be bold when I talk to people because I am confident this is what God wants me to do!

  19. Leah says:

    Paul's story about how his transformation and God's grace are a source of strength and inspiration to me. This verse is such an amazing reminder of the freedom that we have because of Jesus.
    In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12 NIV)

    When I read that..I wonder why we let ourselves be talked out of being confident? What a gift God's grace is!

  20. Colleen says:

    What a powerful piece of scripture, I felt extremely encouraged and convicted! V. 13 "I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory…" WOW oh WOW, I wonder sometimes if I allow all of my confidence to come from the world or from Christ, I am planning to spend some time chewing on V. 12-13 today!

    Praying for my fellow Shereadstruth sisters this morning!

  21. Holly says:

    Just the kind of thing you need to hear on a Monday! :)