◄ What Does Ephesians 1:12 Mean? ►

God has always worked through a little remnant, and the apostle Paul was one of a small group of believing Jews who first trusted Christ as Saviour, and through whom the grace of God was made manifest to a world of lost sinners, to the praise of His holy name.

When Christ was rejected by the leaders of Israel and condemned to die at the hands of their cruel Roman overlords, it was through this tiny company of godly Jews that the glorious gospel of the grace of God was first delivered to a world that was dead in trespasses and sins. It was delivered to the Jews first and then to the outcast Gentiles.

It was Peter whose inspired words caused three thousand souls from the lost sheep of the house of Israel, to repent of their sins and to turn to Christ. It was also Peter who turned the keys of the kingdom to admit despised Samaritans and believing Gentiles into the rank of Spirit-filled believer. But it was Paul who was entrusted with the mystery of Christ and the Church, which for ages past was kept hidden in God.

And we who have trusted in Christ as Saviour and seek to live Spirit-filled godly lives, rejoice with exceeding great joy for the faithful testimony of this little remnant of believing Jews, who were the first to testify of the death, burial, and Resurrection of the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.

It was God's gracious purpose that a small group of believing Jews would be the first to trust in Christ as Saviour and Lord. And through their faithful witness, we who were alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, might be brought near by the blood of Christ, to the praise and glory of God.

Heavenly Father, thank You that due to the faithful witness of a little remnant of believing Jews, I have heard the glorious gospel of grace and trusted Jesus as my Saviour. Praise Your holy name, AMEN.