Category Archives: Bible Study

SLAVES OF CHRIST JESUS

Bible Study, ,

Philippians 1:1-2 NLT
[1] “This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons. [2] May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.”

Slaves of Christ! What an unusual but illuminating title Paul chose to introduce his letter to the people of the Philippian church. Why not “apostle” or some other title expressing his relationship to Jesus in keeping with his calling?

Perhaps Paul chose the title “slave” because of his situation, a prisoner chained to Roman guards. That’s the way slaves were treated if they fell out of favour with their masters. Imprisonment was the will of the master and the slave had no option but to accept incarceration as punishment for his misdemeanor.

However, Paul did not view his imprisonment as punishment but as privilege. He accepted his situation with gratitude because it was in keeping with what his Master had done for him.

There was no word of complaint against his Master for allowing such treatment, or resentment against the Roman government for finding him guilty of an illegitimate charge. How could he be guilty of and punishable by imprisonment for bowing to Jesus as Lord and giving himself in loyalty to Him, and not to Caesar? Yet, Paul accepted his lot without complaint and used it for the sake of the kingdom. Slave or free was all alike to him as long as he had breath in his lungs to tell the story of Jesus, in prison or in freedom.

It seems that Paul bore the title, “slave” with pride. In his letter to the Colossians, he viewed his suffering, especially at the hands of his persecutors, both Roman and Jew, as a calling and a necessary part of his life. His suffering was specifically a demonstration of what Jesus suffered, rejection and its consequences, by the entire human race represented by Jew and Gentile.

Colossians 1:24-25 NLT
[24] “I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. [25] God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you.”

And that included suffering for His sake.

Since…

Isaiah 53:3 NLT
[3]”He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.”

Why not accept the same lot as He did? After all, it was for the sake of unity with His people that He suffered.

Although Paul viewed himself as a slave of Christ, even his “office” as a slave equipped him to exercise his commission and the apostolic authority that entrusted him with the message of Jesus.

Like slaves under the Old Covenant who chose loyalty to their master above freedom, and whose ears were pierced as a sign of their permanent slavery, Paul was forever Jesus’ slave by choice. Nothing would ever induce him to choose freedom from in favour of freedom in Christ Jesus. Paul, in Christ, was pierced as Jesus was pierced, to secure his belongingness to Him forever.

Paul included his young “son”, Timothy, in this attitude of slavery to Jesus. Timothy may not have been a prisoner in a Roman jail, but he was also a prisoner of Jesus like his mentor, Paul.

In keeping with Paul’s theme of “partnership” in this letter, it was his bond with Jesus as a slave to a master with no rights or will of his own, that underpinned his humility. He knew how much he depended on his partnership with his fellow believers to help him accomplish his mission. Without embarrassment or shame, Paul called on them for help, binding himself to them in a strong team of togetherness for the sake of God’s kingdom and glory.

So, in fellowship with their Master, Paul and Timothy heartily greeted their readers, with prayers for grace and peace.

“Grace and peace”… for what is Paul praying? Grace…the reason for this amazing salvation, peace… the outcome of faith in this message. God’s grace is His overriding attitude towards us. Yes, He hates our sin. Yes, He judges and condemns sinners. Yes, hell is the penalty for sin but…grace intervened, undeserved, unmerited favour because of who He is.

Paul addressed his readers as “holy people”, another shocking title! Were these not pagans a short while before, indulging in all the pagan foolishness of their godless society? How could Paul address them as “holy”?

This is the miracle of the gospel Paul was under obligation to share with the pagan world. Faith in the Jesus who died for the sin of the the world changed everything. The sinful past of those who believed in Him was obliterated and exchanged for a new life, a new destiny, and a new standing before God. They were now forgiven, clean, declared righteous, and made holy by His shed blood.

Did you get that?

In response to faith in the Son of God, God does the same for everyone. He forgives and forgets their sin, brings them back from spiritual death to spiritual life, cleanses them from their filthy past, declares them not guilty of all the sin they ever committed, attributes Jesus’ righteousness to them, and makes them holy, turning them from sin to God.

So, you see, faith in Jesus triggers a burst of action, God doing amazing things to put us back into fellowship with Himself.

Paul encapsulates all these details in his short address, greeting, and prayer for his readers.

HE GAVE IT ALL AWAY

Bible Study, ,

Reading the life story of Jesus in the gospels must eventually lead us to one conclusion…He gave away everything He was and everything He had for us.

Now that’s a startling statement!

Let’s examine the “everything” that Jesus gave away.

  1. H e gave away His right to act as God.

Paul wrote,

Philippians 2:6 NIV
[6] “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;…”

Many times, Jesus’ opponents challenged Him to show them evidence of His claim, if He was the Son of God. They ignored the real evidence, first of His revelation of God’s nature by His love for all people, and second, by the source of His miraculous works which they continually questioned.

Matthew 12:22-24, 27-28 NIV
[22] “Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. [23] All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” [24] But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”…
[27] And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges,
[28] But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

Jesus didn’t claim to be the souce of His miracles. He claimed obedience to the Father who worked miracles through Him by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ entire life on earth, from conception to resurrection, was through the presence and under the control of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:37-38 NIV
[37] “You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”

  1. As a man, Jesus gave away His right to make His own choices.

David prophesied that the Messiah would live entirely by His obedience to God by His own choice.

Psalms 40:6-8 NLT
[6] You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand— you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. [7] Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: [8] I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”

John 5:30 NLT
[30] “I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.”

John 8:29 NLT
[29] And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.”

Even in the darkest moment of His life, Jesus chose to do the Father’s will.

Luke 22:42 NLT
[42] “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

  1. Jesus gave away His time to the sick and needy.

Mark 6:31, 34 NLT
[31] “Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat….
[34] Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.”

Interruptions never fazed Jesus. He always dropped His own agenda to minister to the people.

  1. Jesus gave away His earthly family connections.

In His youth, Jesus was an obedient son,

Luke 2:51 NLT
[51]” Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.”

… but He cut all ties with His family for the wider family of God’s children when He left home to fulfil His calling as Messiah and Saviour

Mark 3:32-35 NLT
[32] “There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” [33] Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” [34] Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. [35] Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

He even gave His mother away as a final act of love before He died.

John 19:26-27 NLT
[26] “When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” [27] And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.”

  1. Jesus gave His love, His joy, and His peace to His disciples.

John 15:9 NLT
[9] “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.”

John 15:11 NLT
[11] “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”

John 14:27 NLT
[27] “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

  1. Jesus gave His body to the Jews for crucifixion and to the Romans for abuse.

Matthew 27:26 NLT
[26]”So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.”

Isaiah 50:6-7 NLT
[6]”I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting. [7] Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.”

  1. Jesus gave away His reputation, His dignity and His clothing.

Philippians 2:8 NLT
[8]”… he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

John 19:23 NLT
[23]” When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.”

  1. Jesus gave His life blood for the sin of the world.

Matthew 26:27-28 NLT
[27] “And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, [28] for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.”

John 19:34 NLT
[34] “One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.”

  1. Jesus gave away His heart and soul to His people. On the cross He gave His body back to the earth from which it was made and His spirit back to the Father.

Isaiah 53:9 NLT
[9]” He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.”

Luke 23:46 NLT
[46]”Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.”

  1. Jesus had one more thing to give, His righteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
[21] “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Conclusion

2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT
[9] “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.”

Jesus gave away everything He had to give. He kept nothing for Himself. We are His beneficiaries if we believe and give ourselves to Him. We have neither the experience nor the imagination to reveal the extent of His generosity except the promise of His Word.

1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT
[9]… “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

WHAT IS “FAITHFULNESS”? – 2

Bible Study, ,

Matthew 24:45-47 NLT
[45] “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. [46] If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. [47] I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.”

In definition and practice, we have, in Jesus, the perfect model of faithfulness, one of the crowning qualities of the Son.

In contrast to the ones the world commends and rewards… people who achieve great success, people who have beauty or intellect, people who are in the forefront in their particular discipline, people who generally stand out above others… Jesus made only one quality the criterion for reward, faithfulness.

1 Corinthians 4:2 NLT
[2] “Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.”

Unlike those who receive accolades for being greater or better than the rest in the world’s eyes, everyone is elegable for reward in God’s kingdom. It’s not about competition. It’s about character.

What are the qualifications that meet God’s standard of “faithfulness”? I suppose we can consider many requirements that form the list of boxes God might tick. Let’s look at some as a guideline for us as we strive for the greatest of all commendations, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

These are random, not in order of priority.

Jesus told stories to illustrate His perspective of faithfulness.

  1. Faithful use of God’s resources

Matthew 25:14-16, 19-21 NLT
[14]“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. [15] He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. [16]“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more…
[19] “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. [20] The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ [21] “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ “

Note that, in his commendation of two of the servants, it was not the amount but the faithful stewardship of his resources that he praised. Each was rewarded according to his faithfulness.

  1. Faithful stewardship of duty

Matthew 24:45-47 NLT
[45] “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. [46] If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. [47] I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.”

Duty implies doing the assigned tasks. The faithful servant is one who gets on with the tasks assigned to him regardless of how long the master was away.

  1. Faithful stewardship of God’s Word

God’s Word is a package deal, a deposit given to His people for His divine purpose…to reveal the truth about Himself, His relation to people, and His requirements for His family for life under His reign. He gave it to us as a unit, to guard and keep intact, to believe and live by, and to pass on, unchanged, to the next generation.

Paul was careful to instruct his young protege, Timothy, about faithfulness to God’s Word, in three ways.

3a. Guard the integrity of God’s Word unaltered and unembellished.

2 Timothy 1:14 NLT
[14]”Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.”

3b. Pass God’s Word on to the next generation.

2 Timothy 2:2 NLT
[2] “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”

2 Timothy 2:15 NLT
[15] “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”

3c. Live by the requirements of God’s Word.

2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
[16] “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

  1. Faithful obedience to God’s calling and ministry

Paul’s example of faithfulness to his calling and ministry was impeccable…

1 Corinthians 9:16 NLT
[16]”Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!”

Romans 1:14-15 NLT
[14] “For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. [15] So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.”

…as was his counsel to young Timothy.

2 Timothy 4:5-8 NLT
[5] “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you…”

Paul’s own life was a testimony, to Timothy, of his faithfulness and the anticipation of his reward.

“[6] As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. [8] And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

  1. Faithful use of spiritual gifts

Romans 12:6-8 NLT
[6]” +In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So, if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. [7] If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. [8] If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

  1. Faithfully doing good works

Revelation 19:7-8 NLT
[7]”Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. [8] She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.”

Hebrews 13:16 NLT
[16]” And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”

“Good works” represent the sum total of our obedience to Jesus as Lord.

  1. Faithful in prayer

Romans 12:12 NIV
[12] “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Faithful, as in keeping in touch with the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Spirit, to stay on track and to keep on doing the Father’s will.

There may be other evidences of faithfulness to the Lord and His work but these seven are sufficient to give us an idea of what faithfulness requires.

Jesus said we must always be ready for His return so that we are not caught off guard when He comes. Despite the unexpectedness of His appearing, we can always be assured that we are ready if we continue faithfully and lovingly to serve Him and His people untiringly, day after day, in these ways.

Matthew 24:42 NLT
[42] “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.”

1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
[58] “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

WHAT IS “FAITHFULNESS”?-1

Bible Study, ,

We don’t have to look very far for an example of supreme faithfulness that sets the standard and the tone for what the Lord requires of His children…God Himself is faithful.

As always, who God is and what He does is the foundation of our response to Him. If He requires faithfulness in His children, He is first faithful to us in specific ways as God.

First, God is faithful to Himself…to His character and His ways. He is predictable when it comes to who He is. God is holy/love. This means that He fits perfectly and always, in His Words and works, into these two absolute qualities. Whatever He says and does matches who He is.

He is holy meaning, first, that He is absolutely separate from sin and, second, He is always consistent with who He is. He will never deviate from His perfect purity and He will never act out of character.

Moses’ encounter with the pre-incarnste Jesus at the burning bush gave him opportunity to ask Him His name. Why was this significant? In Biblical thought, a name is “a prophetic utterance of character”, (so I learned). Babies were often named according to the circumstances of their birth and/or in anticipation of who they would become.

So, Moses asked for much more than the title, the name by which the Deity he met would be known. He wanted to know who this God really was.

The reply was enigmatic, yet explanatory at the same time, YHWH in Hebrew, implies the absolute certainty of His being. In three tenses, Jesus was saying, “I am who I am,”, ” I was who I was,”, and “I will be who I will be!” This simple name was much more than a handle. It was a guarantee that He would never change. He would always be faithful to Himself in nature and function.

Scripture endorses the significance of that name in all the stories and records of His dealings with humans, both His own people, and the nations surrounding them. Whether He dealt with them in mercy or judgment, He was faithful to His name. Some people even added to that name a hyphenated description of who He was to them in their experience, for example, to Abraham Yahweh became YHWH-JIREH, Yahweh who provides. To Moses and the Israelites, He was YHWH-NISSI, Yahweh our banner, etc.

Hebrews 13:8 NIV
[8] “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

2 Timothy 2:13 NLT
[13] “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.”

What security in the assurance that God is not influenced by our circumstances. He will always be faithful to Himself…the God who is holy love.

Second, God is faithful to His Word. Again, I learned that God’s Word is “the manifestation of Himself in another form”. How true this is in the incarnation of Jesus! He came to earth as God’s Word in person.

John 1:14 NLT
[14] “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

Jesus not only spoke God’s Word. He WAS the Word. He declared two fundamental truths about the Word…

John 17:17 NLT
[17]”Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is TRUTH.”

John 14:6 NLT
[6] “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

So, Jesus was and is God’s final and complete message to the world and perfectly consistent with who He is…

Hebrews 1:1-2 NLT
[1] “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. [2] And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.”

Third, Jesus was faithful to His calling.

Hebrews 3:1-2 NLT
[1]”And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest. [2] For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God’s entire house.”

Jesus lived for and obeyed the Father even to the cruel death He suffered on the cross.

Psalms 40:6-10 NLT
[6]”You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand— you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. [7] Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: [8] I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart…”

Part of Messiah’s role on earth was to reveal the true nature of the Father.

“…[9] I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. [10] I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.”

So, He did the Father’s will…

Philippians 2:7-8 NLT
[7]” Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, [8] he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

Fourth, Jesus, the Son of God, is faithful to His “house”.

Hebrews 3:5-6 NIV
[5] “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. [6] But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.”

Jesus is head of the church, His house or household of redeemed people. He is in charge of all things, i.e.,

Ephesians 1:22-23 NLT
[22]”God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. [23] And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.”

He loves, leads, and serves the church as His bride-to-be in preparation for and inticipation of His return.

Ephesians 5:25-27 NIV
[25]”…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her [26] to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, [27] and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

Fifth, Jesus is faithful to His promises.

2 Corinthians 1:19-20 NLT
[19]” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. [20] For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.”

Jesus’ faithfulness…to Himself, His calling, His work, His people, and His promises…forms the solid foundation for His requirement of faithfulness to Him in all the facets of our lives and service.

“What a celebration of who you are, Jesus, what you have done, and what you are doing as God-made-flesh so that we can become replicas of who you are! Every detail of my faithfulness to you, tattered and shredded as it is because of who I am, is a glad celebration of You, or not at all!”

GOD’S MYSTERY REVEALED

Bible Study, ,

Colossians 1:25-27 NLT
[25] “God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. [26] This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. [27] For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”

This is a bold and outrageous claim, Paul, you are making! Paul was claiming to know what God’s secret was, hidden from the beginning of time. He declared that God had chosen him to reveal this secret to the church.

How could Paul make a statement like this unless he was absolutely convinced it was true? He would be putting himself in grave danger of God’s judgment. After all, he knew the Scriptures.

Jeremiah 23:21, 34-36 NLT
[21] “I have not sent these prophets, yet they run around claiming to speak for me. I have given them no message, yet they go on prophesying.
[34] “If any prophet, priest, or anyone else says, ‘I have a prophecy from the Lord,’ I will punish that person along with his entire family. [35] You should keep asking each other, ‘What is the Lord’s answer?’ or ‘What is the Lord saying?’ [36] But stop using this phrase, ‘prophecy from the Lord.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

What was Paul saying?

God had a plan which He kept secret hidden until Jesus came. Despite Israel’s hatred of the Gentiles, God’s secret was to include the Gentiles in His plan of salvation.

Prophecies in the Old Testament, especially in Isaiah’s prophecies, hinted at this plan.

Isaiah 45:22 NLT
[22] “Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other.”

Isaiah 49:6 NLT
[6] He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Isaiah 66:23 NLT
[23] “All humanity will come to worship me from week to week and from month to month.”

The more Paul delved into Isaiah’s prophecies, the more convinced he became that God’s plan was much bigger than just Israel’ salvation. Why was the Holy Spirit revealing these truths to him? Only when Jesus came and fulfilled all these prophesies did the whole plan become clear and begin to make sense. Since God was showing him this truth, it was up to him to reveal it to the church.

As this glorious truth dawned on him, Paul became convinced that this revelation was for him to pass on. His call to take the gospel to the Gentiles fitted into God’s great “mystery”, a secret God kept hidden until the right time to reveal it to the world. Through him, God was now making this truth known.

Is it any wonder, then, that the Jews hated both Jesus and Paul! Jesus’ compassion spilled over into the lives of Gentiles. Paul shared in the sufferings of Jesus because he identified with Jesus’ mission. The Jews could not tolerate the idea that God was opening His grace to all people. Paul had to be exterminated.

Acts of the Apostles 22:21-22 NLT
[21] “But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’” [22] The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!”

Now, Paul’s words begin to make sense.

Colossians 1:24-25 NLT
[24] I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. [25] God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you.”

Paul was suffering specifically for this reason, that he was preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. As he testified to his call and mission, the religious leaders in Jerusalem listened until he told them…

Acts of the Apostles 22:21-22 NLT
[21] “But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’” [22] The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!”

So, this is the deal. The Colossian believers were included in God’s plan of salvation for the whole world. Paul reassured them that this was God’s plan from the beginning. They were not an “add-on” to God’s plan. They were an integral part of the church.

God’s mystery was the profound truth that Jew and Gentile together would have a share in Christ’s glory.

Colossians 1:27 NLT
[27] “For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”

This promise implies that everyone who believes in Jesus will share His nature, to become like Him in eternity because He lives in us now.

1 John 3:2 NLT
[2] “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.”

No, Paul was not overstepping the boundaries of his calling. He was right in line with God’s revelation. Jew and Gentile together, reconciled and made one new nation, shared in everything God had provided in His great salvation plan.