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This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. 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 to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. (Ephesians 3:1-12)
The greatest and most effective form of evangelism, the sharing of the Good News, is person to person. Yes, other forms work, but when one cares enough for another to share what God has done for them, people listen and usually take action for themselves. Paul in his passage for today explains how God called him to share the Gospel with the Gentiles, the non-Jews. Yesterday's text was about the Magi and how their appearance was a realization that Christ's birth was for all; today's passage explains how it came about. All who believe are brothers and sisters in Christ, and members of the same body. In this morning's Upper Room devotional, a believer in the Ukraine, shares how he and a group of believers had to travel to Russia for the 125th Anniversary of the celebration of Christian work in Eurasia during a time of great political upheaval including war and they feared the border checkpoints along the way. Some had been turned back. This group prayed the whole way and not once were they turned back. The final checkpoint was the most feared, but there they were not asked a thing; their passports were simply stamped. The need is still so great to share God's love, that doors, even windows are being opened even now for the servants of God who trust God enough to follow Him everywhere to share the Good News.
And, it might begin by walking across the room. Several years ago, a big church pastor wrote a book Just Walk Across the Room, urging his members and all who read the book, to take a bold step and share with people they did not know. Sunday's sermon was on Matthew 25 where Jesus said, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me..." and I shared how many of us are so comfortable with those we know, we sometimes ignore the new guests among us - that's not welcoming.
We have full "access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in Him" which means that we can go anywhere, anytime, as led by God, and have an opportunity to share in a mighty way.
PRAYER: Loving Father, grant us the courage and boldness to walk across the room and greet someone. Then make us bolder and go into areas and places we had not thought about entering; let us share the Good News in a mighty way; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Walk across the room today and say Hi to someone. And maybe more!
Eradio Valverde
