Devotion:
Read Ephesians 3:1-12.
At one point, Paul had been devoted to keeping the outsiders out. He believed strongly that they did not belong. They didn’t follow all the rules that had been established down through the years for those who were God’s people. Sure, if someone wanted to learn to devote themselves to all those rules, then he was open to letting them in. But only if they were willing to do that. Otherwise, keep them out!
But then he met Jesus for himself and became a devoted follower, preacher, teacher and evangelizer. He was confident that Christ had called him to share the good news of welcome for everyone. Nobody was to be excluded.
To some degree, Christ has given all of his followers that same calling. Our focus is to help those who do not know Jesus Christ come to know him, believe in him and follow him. We are to search for ways to communicate the good news with different people in all kinds of situations. Verse 12 is one way to summarize the message we are called to help everyone know for themselves: “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
Personal Worship Option:
H. Ernest Nichol wrote these words in 1896 for the hymn “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations.” Adapted to our language, they are still so fitting to our calling as the people of Christ:
We’ve a message to give to the nations, that the Lord who reigns above
has sent us his Son to save us, and show us that God is love.
What “outsider” do you know who needs to see and hear that message? Pray for wisdom and courage to share it with them.
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