WEDNESDAY May 8, 2024

The Dispensation of God’s Grace

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already....
Ephesians 3:1-3

Paul continued his art of writing practical theology in his epistle to the Ephesians. He continued to cover other areas concerning their position in Christ. He had written to them about what God had already done for them: They were chosen, blessed in heavenly places, predestined before the foundation of the world, living to the praise and glory of His grace, redeemed, and filled with the Holy Spirit of promise.

Paul also taught them who they were before Christ in the past: lost in sin and spiritual darkness. In the present: their blessed position in Christ. In the future: the hope of having an eternal inheritance. Paul related to the Ephesians his own present situation––a prisoner for Jesus Christ. He thought it a privilege to suffer for Christ, although, at this time, he was not that uncomfortable. Paul was under house arrest for two years, not suffering in a dungeon.

Paul had such an overflowing desire in his heart to write the epistle to the Ephesian Church. It was a letter filled with God’s love, grace and peace. Paul communicated to them about the mystery of the Church and the dispensation of God’s grace. The word mystery in the Bible is literally “a revelation that was hidden in the past, but has now become revealed.” Paul made known the mystery of God’s grace to the Jews and the Gentiles. The word dispensation speaks of stewardship. It means “a house manager.” Paul was a house manager of the Gospel of grace.

God has bestowed upon your life, His grace––His unmerited favor. Grace was freely given to you; it did not cost you anything. You are now responsible––a house manager of His grace. If you do not understand this mystery of God’s grace working in and through your life, then how can you serve Christ and do want He wants you to do?

If we give God service it must be because He gives us grace. We work for Him because He works in us.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!