Love is the only eternally sustainable relational dynamic. Everything contrary to love is inherently self-defeating and short lived. But love is not a quick fix. It is the outworking of God’s “manifold wisdom.” God is saving us while keeping our freedom intact, because freedom is necessary for the existence of love. Love is messy, but it is wise. Playing the long game of love, God has set in motion, in Christ, His eternal purpose to bring all people groups together into one freely chosen fellowship.
The Fellowship of the Mystery
Again, Paul identifies himself as “the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles” (3:1). He was called by God to preach the gospel to the non-Jewish masses. Why? Because it was never God’s plan that any people group would be denied access to the covenant promises God entrusted to Israel.
… the mystery of Christ … that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel … to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery … —Ephesians 3:4-6, 9
The door of God’s grace is flung wide
“Fellowship” is koinōnia in the Greek. It is one of the most beautiful and meaningful words in the New Testament. Koinōnia portrays people doing life together in love and shared purpose. Explore John’s usage of the word in 1 John 1:1-4.
God’s Wisdom Made Known by the Church
The fellowship achieved by the gospel between various people groups reveals to the heavenly universe the long-game wisdom of God in exercising mercy toward the rebellious human race.
… to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places … —Ephesians 3:10-11
Sin—the principle of selfishness—has filled our world with misery. It is understandable that the un-fallen inhabitants of the universe would want the assurance that if God saves us, we won’t continue to infect the universe with selfishness and all its destructive effects. Our love for one another is that assurance.
Rooted and Grounded in Love
… 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. —Ephesians 3:18-19
Playing the long game means taking the steps necessary to ensure future success. Love always plays the long game toward the goal of leading people into voluntary fellowship with God and one another.
List two synonyms for the word comprehend:
Living in ongoing fellowship with those who don’t look like me, think like me, talk like me, and act like me can only be done by the introduction of a foreign power into my heart and life. According to the apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:17-20, what is “the power that works in us” by which the fellowship of a diverse church is possible? The
The Application
To the degree that I comprehend God’s love for me, I will be empowered to love others.
Ephesians 3:21
… to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
If it is God’s “eternal purpose” to bring all ethnic groups together into one fellowship, then I am called by God to
Prayer
Father, thank You for calling all people groups of the world into one fellowship centered in Christ. Please empower me by Your love to appreciate those who are not like me, to quickly forgive offenses, and to remain in the fellowship of Your church.
Homework
Read Ephesians 4:11-16 and complete the following sentence of self-assessment:
I need to “grow up” by ceasing to