Dramatic U-Turn – Ephesians 3:7-9 (NIV)

Dramatic U-Turn – Ephesians 3:7-9 (NIV)

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

Paul makes several interesting points in these verses about who he is and his service in God:
1. He is a servant of the gospel
2. It is a gift of God’s grace
3. It is through God’s power
4. He is less than all of the Lord’s people

I love the humble stance of his position and that it’s not something he earned or deserved. Also, that it’s a gift – it’s a privilege and an honor. It is a blessing to serve the Father.

He breaks down his service into a couple points too:
1. He is to preach the riches of Christ to the Gentiles
2. To make clear the mystery of the gospel (all have access)

It’s very interesting how Paul is not only directed to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, but how driven he is to do it. Paul previously persecuted those believing in Christ. He was a Jew of Jews and would likely be the last person to be associated with Gentiles.

I wonder if God changed his heart to have affection for Gentiles. Or maybe the idea of serving the Lord is so powerful and wonderful to him that he’d happily do anything he previously thought unthinkable. Maybe a bit of both. If God loves something that I don’t love, I’m wrong.

Paul thought he was serving God previously in his persecution of Christians. Once he learned God’s real position on these things: Jesus is Messiah, all are welcome to forgiveness, you are saved by grace through faith… he immediately got on board and loved what he previously hated. That’s one dramatic U-turn.