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God’s Plan for Unity, Part 2
In Ephesians 3:1-13, Paul explains how God had a plan from eternity past that He was now revealing.
It is significant, as this plan, referred to as a mystery, cannot be held back by man or any circumstance and puts present difficulties into perspective (Eph. 3:1, 12-13).
The source of this plan is God and is in accordance with the eternal purpose of Christ Jesus as God had intended all along (Eph. 3:2-3, 11).
The scheduling of God’s plan is novel as it had not been revealed in this way before and magnifies His wisdom presently (Eph. 3:4-5, 9b-10).
The outcome of God’s plan is for His people to be one body in unity, unifying all kinds of people (Eph. 3:6).
The Showing of God’s Plan: God’s Plan Has Been Revealed, but It Requires Explanation
God’s plan is revealed (Eph. 3:5b), Jew and Gentile united in Christ. God’s plan magnifies His wisdom and requires revelation from Him for us to understand it.
Paul was given the responsibility by God to bring the gospel to the Gentiles and all people and to explain God’s plan for His people. Paul spent nearly three years explaining God’s plan with words and living out the nature and outworking of God’s plan to the Ephesians (Acts 20:17-38).
In Acts 10, God instructs the Gentile Cornelius to send a group of Gentile men to Simon Peter, a Jew. Peter shares the gospel (Acts 10:34-43) with these Gentiles with the understanding that God does not show partiality. Crossing cultural and ethnic boundaries, God’s plan for all people required explanation.
The Scope of God’s Plan: God’s Plan Includes Every Kind of Person – Even the “Unqualified”
God’s plan includes every kind of person (Eph. 3:6). God desires for all Gentiles who were once strangers to the covenant, foreigners, unholy and unclean (Eph. 2), to hear the gospel, respond to the gospel, and be part of the same spiritual family as the Jews.
Paul was an example to the Ephesians of one who had been far from God, who had even overseen the killing of Stephen, yet was changed by Christ and writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
No one is outside of the Jews and the Gentiles. No matter one’s culture, language, or skin color, every type of person is included in God’s plan (Eph. 3:7-8).
The Outcome of God’s Plan: God’s Plan Unifies All Kinds of People
God’s plan unifies all kinds of people (Eph. 3:6). God takes two different groups of people and makes them into fellows. It is Jesus who unites these two different groups into His unified body. Each one is now seen in Christ.
Application Points
- Do you consider each person you encounter as a potential sister or brother in Christ? God would have you remember that there are only two kinds of people on earth: those who are in Christ, and those who still need Christ.
- Are you praying for those in your life who need Christ?
Tools for Further Study
Cross References to Explore
- Acts 20:17-38; Acts 10; Phil. 3; 1 Tim. 1; Gal. 3; Rom. 9
A Hymn to Encourage: “Across the Lands”
words by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend; © 2002 Thankyou Music
You’re the Word of God the Father,
From before the world began;
Every star and every planet
Has been fashioned by Your hand.
All creation holds together
By the power of Your voice:
Let the skies declare Your glory,
Let the land and seas rejoice!
You’re the Author of creation,
You’re the Lord of every man;
And Your cry of love rings out
Across the lands.