Scripture Reading:    Ephesians 3:9

In the last lesson, we saw that God has always had a commission for His people to carry out. Our commission today is not the one given to Noah, Abraham, or to the Twelve Apostles. Rather, we currently operate under the commission given to and through Paul, the apostle of the Gentles. This commission is found in II Corinthians 5:14-21, and involves the ministry of reconciling men to the God who has already reconciled the world to Himself.

But as great as this responsibility is, there is a second part our commission. This is stated by Paul in Ephesians 3:9, "And to make all men see what is the fellowship (Gk-'dispensation') of the Mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ." This was the burden on Paul's heart when he wrote to Timothy, "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior: Who will [desire to] have all men saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (I Timothy 2:3,4).

This is the pattern Paul followed at Corinth. When he first came into town, he said, "For I determined not to know any thing among you, saved Jesus Christ, and Him crucified" (I Corinthians 2:2). But after men were saved, Paul continued on with the second part of his commission: "Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect...we speak the wisdom o God in a Mystery" (I Corinthians 2:6,7). We must all do our part to bring the gospel of salvation to a lost and dying world. But let us not be content with only half a job; we must also proclaim the mystery to those who are saved!