Friday, January 20, 2012
Ephesians 3:7-8, 12 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 ... In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
BY FAITH YOU'RE IN GOD'S FAMILY
Paul makes it pretty clear that we don't buy our way into God's family by the quality of our choices in life. Paul says that he considers himself to be the least of all the Lord's people. And yet, Paul was given the honor of carrying the story of forgiveness through Jesus to the people of the world.
Paul calls his ministry a "gift of God's grace." He didn't deserve this honor! He had been hunting Christians down before he actually became one. Paul even admits that when they voted on whether a Christian should be executed or not, he voted for death. Paul was once a murderer. In Acts chapter 26, Paul says: "On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord's people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them" (Acts 26:10).
Perhaps this is why Paul says his mission is to preach the "boundless riches of Christ" to the Gentiles. These riches are boundless because there is no sin that they do not pay for. All is forgiven in Christ, even the most selfish, perverted, thoughtless and evil sins. All is forgiven in Christ because He, the Son of God, suffered the punishment of hell that was rightfully ours to suffer. Now, no punishment can reach those who take shelter under the wings of Jesus.
Through FAITH in Jesus, you are born into God's family. Through simple TRUST in Jesus' promise, God begins a relationship with you.
