Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Good News: Life Through Death

Bible Portion – Ephesians 3:1-13

Bible Key Verse Text 
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 3:6

Devotional Text
IAt the end of Paul’s second missionary trip, he visited Ephesus and returned there at the start of his third missionary journey. He wrote his epistle to the Ephesians while he was incarcerated for preaching an outlawed religion.
God promised Abraham that all the nations will be blessed through him. Paul, born to Jewish parents, was a Roman citizen by birth. He was a Pharisee, educated under the renowned teacher Gamaliel. The Jewish people thought that they were God’s chosen people, the descendants of Abraham, and that the blessings of God were only for their race.
Paul received the revelation of a mystery and he shared that with the world. Through the vicarious, atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, salvation was bought unto the whole world. Salvation cannot be earned by mankind; it rests on the finished work of Christ on the cross at Golgotha. We receive salvation through our faith in Jesus Christ, both Jews and Gentiles alike. There is no other way. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4: 4-5).
At the death of Jesus on the cross at Calvary, the curtain in the Jerusalem temple was torn from top to bottom, giving everyone access to God’s presence. The good news is that all the Gentiles who have placed their faith in Christ have been grafted into Israel, enjoying the same benefits and promises of God. They are co-heirs to the Kingdom of God. The dividing wall between the Jews and Gentiles has been abolished. All the believers, regardless of their socio-economic or geo-political background comprise the unified body of Christ. We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord. Each member of the body of Christ is unique, important, with special gifts and talents. They must work in unity and harmony with Christ as the head of the church.

Prayer

  Thank you Lord for unifying us in Your body. Enable each one of us to value their role as part of the body of Christ and labor in peace and harmony. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thought for the Day

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:28-29).

Mrs. Saramma Chacko
Epiphany MTC, NY

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