God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by His Spirit He has revealed it to His holy apostles and prophets. 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. By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving Him by spreading this Good News.
Ephesians 3:5-7
Do you see that Paul links the notion of the Jews and the Gentiles with his statement of the will of God in Eph 1:9, 10. Of course both the Jews and the Gentiles must submit and come under the headship of Christ. This is why I added Jew and Gentile to the chart I attached to Bible Gem 623. Both Jew and Gentile share equally in the riches of the inheritance stored up for God’s children. But all of that is premised on being in Christ, or under submission to Christ as we have discussed already (Bible Gem 622).
It is very clear in Paul’s mind what his mission is. He may indeed have been a Hebrew to the Hebrews as he said to the Philippians (Phil 3:5) but it was clear to him that he had been given the task to take the Gospel to both branches: Jew and Gentile. Many times Paul talks of “Jews first; then the Greeks (meaning Gentile or non-Jew). That was the principle he operated on. Wherever he went he preached in the synagogue first and then when they rejected him he took the message to the Gentiles. (This was the whole point of Romans 9 – 11: If nothing can separate us from the love of God then what about the Jew? I.e. They appear to be separated. Then Paul explains why they didn’t respond and how God gathered the ingrafted branches in until their time comes around again.) Read all of Romans 9-11 in one sitting and then if you want all the details read Bible Gems 202 to 234.
Note what Paul says to the Ephesian Elders when he asks that they meet him in Miletus (Acts 20). Again read all of Acts 20. We are so used to picking out one verse here and one verse there. Get the big picture by reading the big chunks. Paul spells out how they, the Ephesians, have benefited from this grand plan. Reading these passages I have suggested will help you see the big picture.
Now all that is left for you to do is to do it. So time for me to stop “talking”.
Your behaviour is what you believe; all the rest is just talk.
Ian Vail
If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way; if you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.
Anon
People’s lives can be measured by the size of their life goals.
Anon