Ephesians 3:8-13 NASBS
[8] To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, [9] and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; [10] so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. [11] This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, [12] in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. [13] Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory
IN VERSE 12 WE LEARN:
It is an awesome privilege to be able to approach God with freedom and confidence. Most of us would be apprehensive in the presence of a powerful ruler. But thanks to Christ, by faith we can enter directly into God’s presence through prayer. We know we’ll be welcomed with open arms because we are God’s children through our union with Christ. Don’t be afraid of God. Talk with him about everything. He is waiting to hear from you.
IN VERSE 13 WE LEARN:
Why should Paul’s suffering make the Ephesians feel honored? If Paul had not preached the Good News, he would not be in jail—but then the Ephesians would not have heard the Good News and been converted either. Just as a mother endures the pain of childbirth in order to bring new life into the world, Paul endured the pain of persecution in order to bring new believers to Christ.
Obeying Christ is never easy. He calls you to take your cross and follow him (Matthew 16:24)—that is, to be willing to endure pain so that God’s message of salvation can reach the entire world. We should feel honored that others have suffered and sacrificed for us so that we might reap the benefit.
Mark 8:34-35 NASBS
[34] And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. [35] For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
When one becomes a Christian/disciple, they “lose their life” to live for God’s plan of life for them. This new saved life is for the gospel, (Good News) to be now brought to the lost people still in this world. Love God and then love people enough to teach them the Good news Of Salvation.
Jesus said it best in Matthew 28:18-20 NASBS
[18] And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Making disciples of all nations is the Lords only desire.
1 Thessalonians 2:8 NLT
[8] We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.
Bringing the message of Christ to a lost person takes more than giving them some brief Bible truth, it means giving them your heart and inviting them into your life and home. You are saying with your actions that you are welcome to become part of Gods family!
1 Timothy 4:8 NLT
[8] “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
I love knowing that I have another “LIFE TO COME AFTER I DIE IN THIS LIFE”