His Glory, Our Story – Part III: God’s Great Mystery

Scripture: 
“Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, He graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.  I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning… that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:8-9 & 17-19)

Observation: 
Oh, this unfathomable love that God has towards us—a love unlike any other; extended to all humankind, to the least of the least and the lowest of low. He has called us to be rooted and established in this perfect love, to know the depth and width of it, to walk in it, to experience it. The human love most of us have experienced doesn’t look like this. It is limited, conditional, fleeting, based on emotion; wrongfully used, like a pawn or something we give in our own strength or withhold when strength fails.
It makes me weep that He loved us enough to not only die on a cross but to know and experience this love every day. Who are we, that He is mindful of us? How could He entrust a wretched sinner, like me, with this Good News, when I have failed Him, time after time? As if the demonstration of the cross wasn’t already enough, He, through His Word, gave even more—His Living Word. Knowing Him is the only way we can comprehend something so beautiful, something so far beyond description. Reading His heart throughout the Bible is the only chance we have at unraveling this mystery, the only place to experience the great capacity of His love.

Application: 
This past Sunday, Pastor Julius challenged us to make sure we have a cause in our heart—to carry a hunger for the lost and broken. 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." This charge takes more than attending church on Sunday. It takes an insatiable hunger for His Word and a wide-open heart for His people. Knowing who we are in Him is vital to our spiritual health and growth, and healthy people desire to share the good news. Whether we are seasoned in this Christian walk or still learning to crawl, we are all the same in God’s eyes. He is the only One who calls, equips, and qualifies us. If it feels overwhelming or scary, that’s good. Because humility is key in this whole process. We cannot do this on our own or apart from Him, but we must carry reverence for Him and for this commission.
I love to share wins. If I get a deal on laundry soap or find a good recipe, I’m letting everybody know. But some are different. They find a recipe and tell no one, or a sale and tell only their circle because they want to be the only one privy. How are you treating the Good News that could save their souls? Are you sharing the greatest news or are you hoarding it for yourself? Do you care only about "your people" or "all people," as God commands? Are you choosing who is worthy, thinking “they hurt me and don’t deserve forgiveness or redemption?” Are you telling others of this love that is beyond anything else of value, or keeping it hidden? Are you rejoicing when a prodigal comes home or silently feeling threatened that God might restore and elevate them before He does you? We must remember that the love of God is for all people—even those who have hurt us or persecuted us or we deem unworthy. The best way to love like Christ is to, first, let Him love us, and remind ourselves that this life is not our own. It was bought with His blood. Choose to share the greatest story ever told to all people and remember this truth: We are made for His glory and His glory alone. Our story for His glory.

Prayer:
Lord, please forgive us if we have failed to acknowledge the depth of Your love and sacrifice. Let us not get tripped up by the temptation to live for ourselves. Help us to receive Your love and equip us to share Your love. Remind us that we were made for Your glory and that Your glory will never end. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.