Ephesians 3:1-3, NASB
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles--if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote in brief.
Paul was a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of the Gentiles- people like me, those who were once "far off." How interesting that he did not say he was a prisoner of Rome- which he was at the time- but a prisoner of Christ Jesus. Everything that happened to him happened in order that it would benefit the Gentiles, by this statement Paul conveys that Jesus is in control of his fate, not Rome- they are really inconsequential in the scheme of things. It seems contradictory to say this, but what freedom there is for us if we are "prisoners of Christ." There are a lot of things going on in my world, things that often seem out of my control, but nothing is out of God's control. Will I be a prisoner to those other things? Or, like Paul, will I be a prisoner of Christ?
Paul was also a steward of God's grace to the Gentiles. Webster's defines stewardship as, "the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care." God had given Paul something precious that he was to share. I too have been entrusted with something- the Good News. This is not something I should take lightly or ignore. I need to share that Good News with people. I have a responsibility even to share that news. Would my attitude be different if I really looked at each person as someone whose life is at risk if I do not speak up with the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Would I be more apt to share if I feared God more then man? What would a prisoner of Christ do?
I must confess that I have not been a very good steward of that which God has entrusted to me. I can be so lazy and foolish and far too often fear what others might think of me far more that what God thinks of me.
There is a valid point that we need to live lives that shine for Jesus, that make people want to have what we have. I am challenged by these verses to be more active in taking the next step- in risking offending in order to save. What difference does it make if they notice I am different if I never share why; I never tell them how my life is changed, how my future is secure because I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
Be blessed,
Deb
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles--if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote in brief.
Paul was a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of the Gentiles- people like me, those who were once "far off." How interesting that he did not say he was a prisoner of Rome- which he was at the time- but a prisoner of Christ Jesus. Everything that happened to him happened in order that it would benefit the Gentiles, by this statement Paul conveys that Jesus is in control of his fate, not Rome- they are really inconsequential in the scheme of things. It seems contradictory to say this, but what freedom there is for us if we are "prisoners of Christ." There are a lot of things going on in my world, things that often seem out of my control, but nothing is out of God's control. Will I be a prisoner to those other things? Or, like Paul, will I be a prisoner of Christ?
Paul was also a steward of God's grace to the Gentiles. Webster's defines stewardship as, "the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care." God had given Paul something precious that he was to share. I too have been entrusted with something- the Good News. This is not something I should take lightly or ignore. I need to share that Good News with people. I have a responsibility even to share that news. Would my attitude be different if I really looked at each person as someone whose life is at risk if I do not speak up with the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Would I be more apt to share if I feared God more then man? What would a prisoner of Christ do?
I must confess that I have not been a very good steward of that which God has entrusted to me. I can be so lazy and foolish and far too often fear what others might think of me far more that what God thinks of me.
There is a valid point that we need to live lives that shine for Jesus, that make people want to have what we have. I am challenged by these verses to be more active in taking the next step- in risking offending in order to save. What difference does it make if they notice I am different if I never share why; I never tell them how my life is changed, how my future is secure because I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
Be blessed,
Deb
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