The Greatest Mystery Revealed!

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Everyone loves a good mystery novel.  What makes it interesting is that one is held in tension until the mystery is revealed at the end. As Paul explains how God has called him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, he refers to it as the mystery which has been made known to him.  Importantly it was not due to Paul's own ingenuity or cleverness he figured out this mystery, but God made it known to him.  In fact, this was the mystery that had been kept secret for ages and God revealed to His people through Jesus, the apostles, and then to Paul.  
Part of the mystery is that God included the Gentiles in the plan of salvation.  This had been God's desire since he called Abraham, Issac and Jacob, but it was not until this time that God made it known how the Gentiles would be included.  This reminds us that God wants all people to be saved from all nations, tribes and tongues.  
There are many people still today for whom the gospel is still a mystery.  As God revealed it to Paul and then called him to proclaim the mystery he calls us to as well.  It is the Holy Spirit who opens up the eyes for one to see the mystery of God revealed in Christ.  We know this mystery has a great ending for those in Christ.  But there are those who have not even opened up the book yet.  May we lead such lives in this world that people will want to open up the book and find Christ the author and perfecter of our faith!

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