| “…he made known to us the mystery of his will…” |
| —Ephesians 1:9a |
Do you like a good mystery? I do. My favorite stories are mysteries. I greatly enjoy reading mystery novels. Most of the entertainment television programs I watch are mysteries.
The best part of a mystery is, of course, the solution. I particularly like it when the solution of the mystery results in a victory for the good and a punishment for the evil. I also enjoy seeing how the protagonist in the story triumphs over all the barriers that prevent him or her from finding out exactly what happened.
The Apostle Paul, writing to the church gathered at Ephesus, reveals the mystery of God’s plan of salvation in ten short verses of Scripture. Please take careful note of what Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:3-10:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.
With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Through the Apostle Paul, the mystery of the ages is revealed. Christ has redeemed each of us. God has chosen us to belong to Himself. Our Savior has won the victory over sin, death, and Satan. The good is victorious. The bad is condemned. We are set free from the bonds of sin. Our place in heaven is secure. Eternal life waits for us. Yes! The mystery is revealed! Hallelujah!
Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, March 28, 2016
