Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access in boldness and confidence through faith in Him. Ephesians 3:8-12
By the grace of God, the author of Ephesians had the privilege of helping all people discover the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things. And this mystery — this new economy or order of all things — would be made known not just through the writer of this epistle but through the church, and not just to all people but also to all powers.
“This passage confirms that God has foiled the wisdom of the demonic powers, who thought they could end God’s redemptive plans by inciting the political and religious leaders to put Jesus to death. God raised Jesus from the dead, and he became the head of a worldwide body of believers who would spread the good news of his offer of salvation everywhere. . . The only message the church is called to proclaim is the gospel, and that gospel to people all around the world who have not heard its good news of liberation and deliverance from captivity in Satan’s kingdom. Both the existence of the church and the continued evangelistic growth of the church demonstrate to the powers that they are in fact powerless to impede the redemptive work of God.”
The church emerges as the instrument by which God’s grace would be made known to all peoples everywhere.
Clinton E. Arnold in Powers of Darkness: Principalities and Powers in Paul’s Letters (Downers Grove: IVP, 1992) 197–198.
You and I are central to God’s plan. He brings everything together on heaven and earth in Christ and, in His plan, we serve as the instrument for making known this good news.
This excerpt from my paper delivered in Amsterdam this week relates to generosity in this way. God has defeated the forces of evil and we have a part in making this good news known.
And there’s a paradox. The more we get involved, the more we deploy ourselves and the resources in our stewardship, the more God sees and supplies what we need for playing our part.
Like an instrument plays a part in a vital part in making music in an orchestra, consider what part God ould have you play in His master plan. And play it.