the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.

Understanding and revelation is not determined by man’s pursuit, no matter how vigorous, although this is necessary. It is determined by God’s purpose and timing. When you get a revelation from God’s word, and insight and understanding into the things of God, it has happened because God allowed you to see it. What was a mystery to you, has now been disclosed. Understanding this will keep you protected from the pride of knowing

I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—

You do not become a teacher in the church because you go to bible college. Two things are revealed here by Paul. 1. A servant heart. 2. A commission and calling that comes from God. It is also the responsibility of teachers to present the word of God in it’s fullness, so the hearers are well rounded and balanced in their diet. If you listen to teaching podcasts, make sure you listen to a variety of teachers, from differing backgrounds. Make sure they are doctrinally sound first. Will help develop your understanding of the Word.

Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

When you are persecuted, insulted, rejected, ridiculed or anything else because of the gospel, they are not really attacking you, but Christ, who is in you. So the affliction we endure are really Christ’s affliction. The apostles and early disciples considered it a privilege when persecution came because of Jesus. It says in Acts 5:41-42 They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. ⁴²Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

One day William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army was marching down the street, a young man came up and spat in his face and said, that is what I think of your Jesus. One of Booths friends went to wipe it off with his handkerchief and Booth said, It’s OK, leave it there, I consider it a medal.

Whatever you’re having to endure because of Jesus in your life, remember those who have gone before you, consider it an honour born for Christ, and endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. God is watching and is pleased with you

if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

The true benefits and fruit of following Christ are discovered over the long haul. If you’re looking for immediate return, every time, you are going to be disappointed. The real value is found as you continue in your faith. When you face a challenge, and despite your constant fears and nagging doubts, stand firm and not moved from the hope found in the scriptures, sometimes over a long period of time, you discover things about God’s faithfulness, love and goodness, that you would never have understood, that words cant express, without that time of testing.

As in the words of the old negro spiritual, I’ve decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back…..

But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

Jesus death on the cross has not only brought us back into relationship with God, from whom we had been estranged and seperated, but made us new in every way. We come into God’s presence holy. The greek word in hagios and means a saint. Did you know you are a saint? Not because of anything you did, but because of what Jesus did. As far as God is concerned, in Christ, you are perfect in every way. When was the last time your boss told you that?  :-)

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour.

When I hear Christians complaining about their life or circumstances, and that they were better off before they were saved, I think of this scripture. It’s like the Israelites complaining about their new life out of Egypt . They said Numbers 11:5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. Sure, but what about the beatings, the suffering, the endless work for little reward, the sense of hopelessness and meaninglessness to life.

It is important we remember the whole picture of what it was like before we met Christ and not employ selective amnesia. We were alienated from God, living as his enemies, and yet he reached out into our world and reconciled us to himself. Sounds like a God of love to me. Let’s give his way a go

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

The blood of Jesus contains the power of reconciliation. The word means to return to its former state of harmony. When things go wrong, break down, fall apart in life, we can get things back on track by:

1. Reconciling with Jesus. Discovering and admitting the part we played in the dilemma and asking for forgiveness through his blood shed on the cross.
2. Asking for his plan of reconciliation in the business, marriage, relationship, situation, job etc. Proverbs 3:5-6 says

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

This process may be short and easy or it may be long and arduous. It doesn’t say how long to trust, it just says trust……..

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him…

When we look at Jesus in the Bible, we get a clear picture of what God is like, because he is God. The compassion Jesus shows toward the poor, the suffering, the downtrodden, the broken, the alienated, the hurting, the seeking, the lonley, is a full and complete picture of how he feels toward you. Our response is to allow Christ to dwell fully is us. That is the calling of the Christian.