ESOCS Devotional 19 May 2026 – The Church – God’s Mysterious Architecture
MEMORY VERSE: “And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ. Jesus.” Ephesians 3:6 NLT
TEXT: EPHESIANS 3:1-13
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 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, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
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The mystery of Christ was the revelation of the eternal plan of redemption. This, God has now made known through the sacrificial cross of Jesus, (Romans 11:25, 16:25, Titus 2:11). It was not revealed in times before His incarnate birth (1 Peter 1:10-12). Moreover, this revelation led to the birth of the Church as the New Jerusalem.
God established the Church as a graphic demonstration of His marvelous wisdom, and perfect plan of reconciliation with fallen humanity. It came to expression in the uniting of the two hostile, and diverse groups into one body. The Church is the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, and the Temple of God. Christ died for the Church to make her pure. The apostles and prophets form the foundation of the Church, while Christ is the Chief Corner Stone. It follows therefore, that, the leadership of the Church must build her up in unity, maturity and love. All of us (believers) must candidly ask ourselves this pertinent question: Do we candidly express the unity that God expects of the Church?
Through the blood sacrifice, and the birth of the Church, we now live in the dispensation of grace. The Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus and His Church, (John 1:17). God has worked through from the beginning of time unto the cross. He continues to work through grace unto this day. He has always worked through grace – without which, no man could be saved. We live in the dispensation of grace. And it is in this time we have knowledge of the grace of God that was revealed on the cross (Titus 2:11). Through the medium of the Church, this grace is preached to the unsaved. Join the Great Commission team now, (Matthew 28:19). Make no further delay.
Reflections
- Without grace, no man can see the Lord.
Prayer
- Lord Jesus, give me the grace to follow.
Further Reading: Job 14:1-14; Zechariah 8:1-18; John 21:15-19
ESOCS Devotional 19 May 2026
