"For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory."God's Sovereign will is realized and experienced through Jesus revealing the mystery of God's grace. God chose this specific time to send Jesus and the full revelation of God's sovereign plan. It's interesting to me how Paul explains that the fullness of Jesus hadn't been previously revealed, but was now (in Paul's time). It must have been hard for God's people before Jesus showed up, to understand and have complete revelation of God's plan. Like Paul, I'm so thankful that He sent Jesus when He did and gave life to me when He did.
It's great to know that everyone (both Jew & Gentile) are accepted by God on the basis of God's sovereign election through the work of Jesus! I'm so thankful for Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross, and for God choosing to make me an heir for eternity! Do you have the same appreciation for God's timing and call for your life?
Final Thought– Continue to walk close with Jesus in this season of joy that we're in. Stay as close as you can to Him and accept that God's plan is perfect and designed to draw us closer to Him. Regardless of what our circumstances and situations look like today, we must remember that they are ordained by God to work for His glory and praise. God's redemptive plan has been revealed in and through Jesus, so rest in Him and take refuge in the truth that God has provided us a way to be reconciled to Him.
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