Gentile Salvation: A Mystery

Scripture: In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 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. 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. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Ephesians 3:4-11

Observation: Just this week, our pastor commented on the "eight mysteries" from the letters of Paul. This passage is about two of them that our generation now live in the light of every day - the salvation of the Gentiles, and the existence and function of the Church. Regarding the first of these, it was unknown to those who believed in God that he would eventually pursue the salvation of Gentiles ... of all mankind.

The Jews prided themselves as the "chosen" people. This was how they identified themselves throughout their history, from the selection of Abraham. This was their national identity. They had locked in on this idea to the exclusion of other facts, such as the truth about how their nation had devolved over the prior 500 years, or the fact that God was, in fact, known and worshipped by other cultures primarily due to the fact they had been disbursed and had educated others about God. They had forgotten one important fact.

In choosing Abraham, God said that his people would be "blessed to be a blessing" to all mankind. They would not be blessed for their own comfort and salvation ... they would be blessed in order to bless non-Jews with knowledge of God.

And this passage in Ephesians also says exactly how God is fulfilling this mystery of reaching Gentiles with the blessing of salvation: "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." In other words ... the Church must deliver the Gospel of Jesus.

Application: While it is true that the Church can and should do a lot of things - comfort the distressed, help the poor and the widows, aid each other, participate in the community, provide worship, educate disciples - the Church has one mission ... to tell the world about Jesus.

This week, someone I know effectively said he was uncomfortable with our church believing evangelism was its primary mission ... that we should be more about discipleship building and having powerful Sunday services. I don't know how anyone reads the new testament and thinks that. You can almost summarize the entire mission of Jesus as just two things: 1) He fulfilled the prophesy of the Messiah, including being sacrificed and resurrected for our salvation; 2) He established believers to then go and tell everyone else about #1.

Evangelism isn't easy today, and it isn't easy here. We are in the darkest times, and we are in one of the darkest places. But we were never called to do 'easy'.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for my brother who struggles with the mission of your Church. He has a good heart, he loves Jesus, and he loves your people. However, he also loves the passions within him to the point of exclusion of your mission. May you gently guide him home, Lord. Turn his head, and I believe his eyes and his heart will follow. Please show him the great work you have planned for us, as I know he can be a strong part of that kingdom work here on earth. Amen.