Daily Devotion 9/12/12 Part 1

I have been meditating on Ephesians 3 for 2-3 days
Let me share what I got, I'll try to make it simpler

Ephesians 3:1
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Gentiles: Ethnos (1484) refer to the people or foreign nations of which in OT not worshipping the true GOD
It needs to be differed from Ethnikos (1483), which most probably was derived from Ethnos: like the Gentiles, which used on Galatians 2:12-14

12For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles (1483), and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Short story, Paul reproved Peter because Peter lives like the Gentiles (Gentiles before saved).

In Indonesian it might be easier to understand: 1484 usually translated as 'orang2 yang tidak mengenal Allah', 1483 however is translated as 'secara kafir'

Ephesians 3:6

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

We, who are not Jews were saved through Christ. Even though, in the past, the written God's Laws were only given to Israelites, not Indonesian, not Malaysian, not English etc etc.
Yes, Christ' sacrifice is a UNIVERSAL Salvation

Ephesians 3:9

And to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Indicated that in OT people did not understand this 'universal salvation' plan, but from the beginning, God had planned everything to save all human, He who created all things. Too bad many people do not accept this until now or some people think they are the only one who will be saved due to having God's Law.

Ephesians 3:10-13

10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.13Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

God wants this plan be known to all people, salvation plan through Jesus Christ

Verse 12 intrigued me. In Whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him

Boldness: Parrhesia (3954): 

freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech

1. openly, frankly, i.e without concealment
2. free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance

Access: Prosagoge (4318):
the act of bringing to, a moving to
to God, i.e. that relationship with God whereby we are acceptable to him and have assurance that he is favourably disposed towards him

WOW, we have BOLDNESS and ACCESS in Him with confidence
Once we were the enemy of God and now we have all of these.
Let us see from this perspective: To meet our President, it needs some procedures, it still even needs an 'assurance' to be able to meet him freely (of which not everyone has).
Come on, what a privilege God has given to us!

Jesus has done amazing thing by His sacrifice at the cross