Mission Devotional Day 28
A plan for the fullness of time
Mission Devotional Day 28
READ: Ephesians 1:3-14
These eleven verses (1:3-14) from Paul are just one sentence in Greek. He is packing in a lot! At the center of this long sentence, we read this: “He has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”
Sometimes, I feel like asking God, “What are you doing?” Here is our answer. This always is our answer. God is gathering up all things in Christ Jesus. It is his mysterious will, an expression of his good pleasure, his plan for the fullness of time. Fullness that awaits consummation.
Paul goes on to speak about an inheritance that comes to us in Christ. Our believing is not simply a solitary commitment, for we have been sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. In these verses, we find a clear statement of our shared purpose, that is, participating in God’s work of gathering up.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
Paul uses a lot of religious ideas and words, and some of it is a bit hard to work through. Read verses 3-14 again and mark the words that you need to clarify. If you do not have the bible dictionary at home, you can find one online. What do you suppose Paul intends to assert when he writes that we have been blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places?
PRAYER
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I bless you and thank you for choosing me. Thank you for the lavish grace you have shown me. Help me live as a blessing to others and for the praise of your Glory. Amen.