A private business owner was flying from New York to Chicago. En route, the plane made a scheduled stop in Pittsburgh. For many, this was their destination, but the steward announced that those going on could get off and re-board in about fifty minutes. As the businessman watched, everybody got off the plane except one man who was seated in row one with his Seeing Eye dog. After most of the passengers departed, the pilot came back from the cabin and said to the man, "Ray, we're in the Steel City again. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?"
Ray replied, "No thanks, Chuck, but maybe Guider would like to stretch his." So the pilot took the dog and headed up the jet way. The entrepreneur followed the pilot out and complimented him on his kindness. As they came out through the gate, people in the boarding area saw the pilot wearing Ray-Ban sunglasses and being led by a dog. People scattered! They not only tried to change planes, they tried to change airlines. Not being privy to pertinent information, they did not realize the truth. Author unknown
When worldly people think about mysteries, they may think Agatha Christie or Stephen King, but they never think of the mystery of the Gospel, which reveals the true King. That information is hidden from the natural man, a term the Bible uses to describe those who are not in the family of God and who view the things of God as foolishness. Scriptures tells us natural men cannot understand the mystery of the Gospel, for only the Holy Spirit can open their blind hearts to the truth of God. Because they (we) are born sinners, dead to the things of God, there is no one who seeks the one, true God. Fortunately, He seeks us.
Jesus confronted Saul on his way to Damascus, where Saul was converted from a natural man and made holy Š set apart. Later, Christ revealed His plan to Paul, and he understood because of the faith given to him by the grace of God, who made Paul His apostle to the Gentiles. God revealed Himself to me in Greensboro, North Carolina, and I am His chosen vessel. Powered by His Holy Spirit, I work to share His truth with those He puts in my path.
Through PaulÕs writings, inspired by the Holy Spirit, God reveals the true quality and excellence of His grace to us. Today, God still confronts worldly people by the power of His Spirit, working through us as we proclaim His word, which God said would always achieve His purpose. Something happens when former natural men and women open their mouths and tell others about Christ. Some believe the gospel; some reject it. A mystery of His will, to me, is why God would want to do for any of us what we cannot do for ourselves. Yet, His Spirit has revealed that mystery in Christ, and as we study His word, the Holy Spirit unravels that mystery for us, and we can rejoice for we share in His revealed promises.
Mountain Time Moment
that is, the mystery made known to Paul by revelation,
which he briefly mentioned earlier in this letter.
Ephesians 3:3 NIV/LV
Entire article with verse links in blue at:
http://home.comcast.net/~flgrace/Ephesians303.pdf
Read more articles by Keith Vierbicky or search for articles on the same topic or others.
