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Reading Text – Ephesians 3:1-14

Webster defines mystery as “something not understood or beyond understanding,” or “a profound, inexplicable, or secretive quality or character,” or finally, as “a religious truth that one can know only by revelation and cannot fully understand.”  

As we read in our Bible text, we see that Paul tells us that by revelation, God made the mystery of Christ known to him.  What exactly does that mean?  What is the mystery of Christ?  We read in Matthew 13:11 that the disciples asked Jesus why He spoke in parables, and His reply was, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them, it has not been given.”  

One of the many benefits of following Christ is that we get a look “behind the scenes.”  Being filled with the Holy Spirit allows us to see what is going on in the kingdom of God.  Jesus goes on to tell us in verse 16 that many prophets and righteous men desired to see and hear it.

One of the many benefits of following Christ is that we get a look “behind the scenes.”  Being filled with the Holy Spirit allows us to see what is going on in the kingdom of God.

The mystery is revealed in verse 9 when Paul tells us, “… to make all see what the fellowship of the mystery is, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.”

Bill Johnson says, “God doesn’t hide things from us; he hides things for us.”  The hidden mystery of God is that He chose us to represent Him as a testimony against the powers of darkness.  There is no question who God is, and that the devil knows Him.  The mystery is that God uses everyday people to display His splendor so that the principalities shudder at seeing God through us.  This is being the church to the unchurched.  This is how we live our lives as followers of Christ who have died to our desires and preferences to represent Him on earth to a world that is lost and hurting.  

Are we allowing God to be represented in even the most difficult relationships and circumstances?  Every time we choose to love rather than be offended; every time we decide to bless those who curse; every time we choose to pray for those who spitefully use us, we are demonstrating the mystery of the kingdom.

Take a moment to pray.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for choosing me to reveal the mystery of the kingdom of God to a world that is hurting.  Thank You for helping me grow in my understanding of Your ways and that I would be a light set on a hill, bringing glory and honor to You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

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