Paul tells us about a very wonderful Mystery, that, “…has now BEEN REVEALED BY THE SPIRIT to His holy apostles and prophets: that the GENTILES SHOULD BE FELLOW HEIRS, of the same body, and PARTAKERS OF HIS PROMISE IN CHRIST through the gospel, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I SHOULD PREACH AMONG THE GENTILES THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST, and to make all see what is the fellowship of THE MYSTERY, 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, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, In Him and through faith in Him we (Gentiles) may APPROACH GOD with FREEDOM and CONFIDENCE.” (Ephesians 3:5-12)
Paul knows, firsthand, about this Mystery… “I know a man in Christ (Paul is speaking of himself) who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was CAUGHT UP TO PARADISE and HEARD INEXPRESSIBLE (arrhētos: unspeakable, on account of its sacredness) THINGS, things that no one is permitted to tell.” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)
Paul continues explaining the Mystery, “FOR THIS REASON I BOW MY KNEES to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that HE WOULD GRANT YOU, according to the riches of His glory, to be STRENGTHENED WITH MIGHT through His Spirit in the inner man, that CHRIST MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS THROUGH FAITH; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to COMPREHEND with all the saints what is THE WIDTH AND LENGTH AND DEPTH AND HEIGHT— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that YOU MAY BE FILLED WITH ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD. Now to Him who is able to do EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE all that we ask or think, according to THE POWER THAT WORKS IN US, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, FOREVER AND EVER. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14-21)
PAUL SAID, WE ARE FILLED WITH ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD AND THIS POWER OF GOD WILL WORK IN US SO WE CAN DO THE WORK OF THE LORD…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham