Ephesians 3:4-6 NIV
In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Are You Living as an Heir in God’s Kingdom?
Have you allowed Satan and his demons to make you feel like a second-class citizen in God’s kingdom? Paul, who was called by Jesus and transformed by the power of God, understood firsthand what it meant to be made equal in the kingdom of God. Take a moment to reflect on the passage we just read. Through Jesus Christ, we—the Gentiles—have been granted the same rights as Israel. This is why, under the new covenant, the Israelites are no longer the sole chosen people of God.
"So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:26-29)
If you ever doubt whether God will accept you, regardless of your sins, recognize that such thoughts do not come from God but from demonic spirits trying to separate you from His love. Jesus came to restore God’s kingdom to its original purpose, which is why all nations will be included in His eternal kingdom, worshiping Him together.
For years, I wondered why Jesus initially sent the twelve disciples only to the children of Israel, instructing them, “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans” (Matthew 10:5). Yet, in John 4:21, when speaking to the Samaritan woman, Jesus said, “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (John 4:23). At first, these two passages may seem contradictory, but as I studied Scripture, I gained clarity. When Jesus sent the disciples and spoke to the Samaritan woman, He had not yet died as the perfect sacrifice or risen from the dead to reconcile humanity back to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). At that time, He was still operating under the old covenant. Under the new covenant, however, Jesus came to deliver the world from Satan’s bondage—a mission that was fulfilled through His death and resurrection (John 3:16-19).
Jesus' ultimate purpose was to surrender His life to the will of God by dying for our sins, breaking the wall of hostility that Satan had built to separate us from God’s love and divine power (Ephesians 2:14). Because of this, we are no longer illegitimate children. Jesus died, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and sent the Holy Spirit to guide anyone willing to surrender their life to God’s will (John 8:41, Hebrews 12:8). Through Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb and our High Priest, we are all invited into God’s kingdom.
"After this, I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’" (Revelation 7:9-10)
Do not let Satan’s lies stop, prevent, or delay you from surrendering your life to God. You are never too far gone for Jesus. That is why He died for you and me while we were still sinners.
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly… But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8)
