Mystery of Fellowship

Ephesians 3:6 (3 in Tamil) “that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel”.

In chapter 3, Paul writes to Ephesians that he is imprisoned to Christ as Jesus wanted him to be focused on one single ministry. Paul goes further to call this purpose a mystery and it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit.

Verse 9 (11 in Tamil) says that this mystery was hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ. Paul explains here that God, who created everything through Jesus Christ, wants this mystery which is very valuable to be revealed only through Jesus Christ. We see the importance of Jesus here. The whole mystery was hidden in God. God kept this mystery to Himself safely to be revealed in the right time through Jesus Christ. We also read in verse 11 (v 9 in Tamil) that this revelation was according to the plan executed in Jesus Christ (the Cross). This fellowship is very much an outcome of the Cross.

In verse 2, Paul calls this receipt of Grace as “dispensation” or “Administration” in Greek. Both the words point to the fact that Paul calls himself to be in a disease of ignorance and then Grace was administered to him to cure him into revelation. Paul again mentions this in verse 5 where apostles and prophets got this understanding only as a revelation by the Holy Spirit.

In Romans 11:11 onwards, we see Paul’s emphasis on the salvation of Jews. Here, Paul mentions the state of Jews (disobedient) was the opportunity for us to come closer to God. And these ways of God are mysterious and unsearchable (v 33). For God to establish his purpose, He goes to any extent and is willing to lose a lot of people too. We cannot search that portion of His wisdom. Taking this verse not as an encouragement and as a commandment, this is an important verse for us to remember in times of trouble. God’s ways are far from our understanding, but His desires will be done.

One more thing that Christians should understand is that even if it is not reasonable that everybody (elders and juniors) are equal in a church, it is mandatory that we accept that completely without seeking any reasoning from God.

Ephesians 3:8-10 gives us the purpose of this mystery.

1. For Gentiles to be preached these unsearchable riches.

These are riches given to us and they are unsearchable, unattainable ourselves. Everybody in the world should be preached this mystery.

2. For All to see the fellowship of this mystery.

This mystery which makes everybody equal brings a fellowship and not jealousy or hatred. The wisdom of God is that we should attain a fellowship together and not claim anybody to be superior or inferior by taking responsibility of this fellowship to Himself. Any church or fellowship being formed is not anybody’s achievement. It is because of God’s mysterious ways.

3. The manifold wisdom of God to be known by the Church to the principalities and powers of the heavenly places.

The enemy should understand that God is very wise to do things at the right time and place by seeing our fellowship and equality in the church and thereby exalting God alone. This establishment will and should happen only by the Church. For God to be exalted in the Church, it should first and foremost promote equality.

Verse 12 says that we have boldness and access in confidence to be part of this fellowship. There is no need of anything that can stop our participation in the fellowship. This boldness comes as a part of our receipt of Jesus Christ. Since we are in Him, we get this boldness.

Therefore, as Paul says in verse 16-19,

1. Let us be strengthened in the inner man with might through the Holy Spirit.

2. Let Christ dwell in us through faith. He may not be felt or seen. It is faith that assures us of His existence in us.

3. We, being rooted and grounded in Love of Jesus (Cross), be able to understand the width, length, depth and height of Christ’s love which is above all knowledge. Our fellowship should make us understand and promote His love more and more in the Church. Our thoughts and sermons should always point to His love only.

4. Be filled with all the fullness of God.  Let all the qualities, talents, blessings fill us.

Paul concludes this by saying that, God who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly and very high above our thoughts be glorified in the Church. The exceedingly, abundantly and very high above our thought work by God is this mystery that has brought us fellow-heirs together with saints and His chosen people. This God, because of this great action should be glorified in the Church. This glory comes when the purpose of His church, equality and fellowship is served.

In Romans 16:25, Paul says that God is able to establish us or strengthen us according to this mystery. This was done according to the prophetical scripture and His commandments. That is, the reason for the Old Testament is that this mystery would be revealed to all of us and in the right time. The purpose of God revealing this is that we should obey to the faith. If we are faithful to God, we will trust Him into righteousness. Satan’s darts of lies cannot shake us as we are stable and strong into Jesus Himself. 

Christ our Cornerstone

Ephesians 2:20 “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone”.

In this portion, Apostle Paul after calling the church in Ephesus to come near God as this right was purchased with blood (v 11-18), he further explains the position and responsibility we possess after being brought near God.

Verse 19 says: “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” This is important as Paul gives us two different positions: fellow Citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. This implies that we have a position in the Almighty and this position is both legally and lovingly valid. This position is equal to that of the saints. Nobody is high or low here. Everybody has the right to claim their position.

Now, in verse 20, after being rightful citizens, God gives us responsibilities and roles in His kingdom. He does not simply have us as rocks that are scattered, but as a building that is framed together. This verse also shows us the importance of Christian leaders appointed by Him. They form the foundation and then we are built on top of them. The word cornerstone explains that all apostles and prophets are first aligned to Him. The cornerstone is the first step done and is the measurement that every other stone should follow and align itself into. Based on the cornerstone, first the foundation is laid and then on top of the sacrifices of Christ, apostles and many other missionaries, we now are comfortably showing our talents.

As in Isaiah 28:16, God says that Jesus is a tested, costly and a firmly placed stone. Please note the love of God that says “tested” first and then “costly” next.  It makes sinners stumble and fall. For us not to fall to the snares of the world, we really have to believe in Jesus. This trust that Jesus is the corner stone on which we, our church / fellowship, our family and all the goodness that constitute us are built.  The trust we show to Him is not only to his Deity but also to His leadership. We should completely trust in Him and align ourselves to Him and be brave enough to face any opposition the world might give us.

1 Corinthians 3:9-15 is another important portion where Jesus being the cornerstone and we being built is emphasized. Paul mentions this verse to us, bible readers who learn from Paul’s teachings. He says that all his works are just a foundation.  We ministers, teachers and other Christian leaders build our churches, doctrines and people’s lives based on that. But, it is very important that no other doctrine other than that of Christ be taught or built. If we compromise at any stage, the final product above will completely become different and thereby the whole building would be useless. Everything should be taken account of. The materials, alignment, skill etc.

We should note that we are individually built as a building and this building is the Temple and not the Church. The cornerstone Jesus is for us individually. Everything we learn, achieve, preach, follow, have fellowship with and others are the materials that are used to build the Temple.

There should be no other foundation than Jesus. Let us not invite newer doctrines claiming different teachings to be true. Most of us take specifics and emphasize them just like discarding ornaments. These are good, but let these teachings do not form the foundation of our Christian life.

There will be a day when the fire would come and burn everything. If we have built our life on strong materials, we would be successful and fruitful. If these materials are burnt, we will be losers. However, because of the strong foundation, we will be saved. Paul mentions the possibility of Christians being built on a strong foundation, but still can be deceived. Paul differentiates salvation and being a temple of God in these verses.

Ephesians 2:21 says that we are framed or fitted together and the final product grows to become a temple of God.  We also read this in 1 Cor 3:16. This is the purpose of our lives. Unless we transform ourselves to be fit to host the Spirit of God, our life becomes wasted. The word “grows” gives the emphasis on the process of Christian growth.

The word “whole building” gives us the understanding that everything that we own, acquire or grow constitute to become the temple. God never receives anything partially. God does not allow any defilement too as in 1 Cor 3:17. Defiling is simply introducing things of the world to the holy place. We are completely dedicated for the work of God. Paul also says that everything in the building is fitted together. It is that everything we do would work together in Him serving His purpose.

Ephesians 2:22 is a very important verse in the Bible which mentions the Trinity and the roles of each person in the Trinity. God wanted to live in us and since we failed, Jesus came and set a great foundation for us to grow upon. He stays there so that we should grow. The responsibility is now of the Holy Spirit. When He succeeds, God the father would come and live inside us.

The word mentioned is “dwelling” or “habitation” meaning a place where God permanently resides. These people are the ones God uses strongly and are willing to completely surrender themselves and promote God’s kingdom.

In Mathew 21:42-44, Jesus mentions the stone (when addressing himself as the cornerstone) being a very threatening stone to the Jewish leaders. He calls them as the builders as they were responsible for every person to be godly. But since that did not happen, Jesus has given us the responsibility. A stone that condemns and ridicules has become a cornerstone for us that upholds us.  We should value this opportunity sincerely as we are called for a purpose and another chosen generation has been denied this opportunity.  

It is necessary for us to submit ourselves to this building. The final outcome is that we would be holy enough so that God would continually live inside. This cannot happen today as the building is being built. We should allow the Holy Spirit to build us every day. Our roots on Jesus should never shake or come out. If that happens, everything that has been built would shatter. It is equally important that everything that we learn or start to follow in Christendom, we should carefully choose. One wrong teaching and one compromise can ruin the whole building.

Being Near to Christ

Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Being near to God is not an easy opportunity. Exodus 24:1-2 mentions about the mount of Sinai where there were stages of coming closer to God. The priests were allowed to worship God at a lengthier distance and only Moses was allowed to come closer. If we are experiencing a status of being near to God, then we are being considered to be more than priests.

Ep 2:12 says that we had no hope when we were living without Christ. It is important that we acknowledge this. There was no link for us with the covenant of promise, but we are brought near Christ now and this opportunity is given to us not as a reward, but as a free gift that was purchased by the blood of Jesus. This fact shows the importance of our status with Christ. If we are not near Him, then we are rejecting the price paid for this opportunity.

Though we do not experience this as mentioned, in churches sometimes we see elders, pastors and other ministers to be people who are near God and others as not. So, we consider ourselves to be inferior. Paul chooses to give this message not to the Jews but to the Gentiles. The reason is that even if pastors and other elders do not reject or look low upon people, the gentiles or sometimes believers who do not participate in ministry or normal Sunday Christians do so. They think that they are not expected to be close to God. We are brought near by the blood of Christ, so thinking that we are far away or just namesakes being in church means that we are rejecting the blood of Christ.

Similarly, the enmity or hostility that prevents us from being near God has been killed at the cross by the flesh of Jesus. Paul further equates all law to this enmity and Jesus has killed all law that causes this difference. As in Romans 8:1,2 the law that condemns is invalid now. Any law that makes us unworthy at Christ’s realm is nullified at the cross. We did not come near, but we are brought near. The law of condemnation makes a lot of people unworthy, like people who do not give tithes properly, people who did not bring the bible accidentally to a meeting, people who wear jewelry etc. If we still cling to those things that bring any separation in the church, then we are rejecting the blood and flesh of Christ. There is no right for us to take part in communion.

If the above approach is for gentiles (Ephesians), Paul deals the same situation differently for Jews. Hebrews 10:22 “Let us draw near with a full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled from evil conscience and our bodies washed.” Verse 1 says that the Old Testament was just a shadow and Jesus’s sacrifice was the original. The statement nullifies the whole reverence and pride of being a Jew. Paul requests Hebrews to do the cleansing once again making circumcision invalid. The assurance of faith is about the authority we have to enter the Holiest place which was purchased by the flesh of Christ.

All our past, be it great or dull, they are invalidated with the blood of Christ so that everybody has to consider himself as a product purchased with a heavy price and just accept His Lordship.

 Interestingly, as per Acts 17:27, the fact that God is near to us does not apply only to Christians. Paul uses the phrase to the men of Athens and while introducing Christ to them. This means that Christians are just people who had acknowledged and received the God who is near everybody after the death of Christ.

Also, based on Isaiah 55:6-7, the opportunity of God being near us is temporary. And it is important for us to call upon him while He is near. We are very blessed to live in a moment where anybody, however lower his life is, still can come to God and have his life mended and fixed as God has compassion on him.

Leviticus 10:1-3, when the Lord kills the sons of Aaron, God proceeds to say that “By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.” We can see a tone of God which points that there is no other thing that will happen through those who are near to God. God ensures His holiness to be maintained intact either by accepting the right offerings or by removal of evil. If we have to stay near God as we are now, we do not have any other destiny than honoring God. If we think otherwise, God will ensure His holiness kept intact. The purpose of our being near God is also this. We should honor God by receiving this opportunity.

In James 4:8, the apostle James when writing to Jewish Christians, he wants them to overcome pride, adultery, selfishness and to come near God. The method is to become humble, cleanse the body and heart and remove worldly desires. Being close to God is very different from being sinless. Close to God is being open to Him in all aspects and depending on him totally, like birds under its mother’s wings. But this is not free; we have to be ready to lose all happiness the world gives and repent totally.

James also points that double mindedness is totally against being close to Him. If we are double minded, we do not progress anywhere, neither in worldly riches nor in spiritual growth.

In psalm 119:151, we see that if the enemies are close, the solution is to come closer to God. The reason for coming closer to God is by trusting on his commandments. In the New Testament context, it would be trusting on the Holy Spirit.

In Zephaniah 3:2, taking about Jerusalem, we can see that the prophet giving us a definition of drawing near to God. That is to obey His voice, receive correction and to trust in Him.

Let us remember Jesus wanted Children to come near him and claimed that people like little children will fill the kingdom of God. (Mathew 19:14). To become like little children, we should be under a father’s wings, without pride, always listening and totally depending on Him.