God has never had to scramble in a panic to figure out a backup plan.
In Ephesians 3, after the apostle Paul’s marvelous extolling of God’s grace in the previous chapter, he now turns to the privileged position he has as a steward of God’s grace and the mystery of the gospel (Eph. 3:2-3).
Truly, the new covenant through Jesus Christ was a mystery for ages. Previous generations did not have the whole picture! (Eph. 3:5). Specifically, it was unknown that the Gentiles would be fellow heirs to the promises of God in the same sense that the Jews were as the chosen people of God.
As Paul already pointed out, those who were far off, “have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13). Though once aliens and strangers, now all can be made a part of God’s household (Eph. 2:19).
What is amazing for us to consider today is that this was God’s plan from the beginning. Truly, from the onset of God’s covenant with Abraham there was a promise that through his offspring all nations of the earth would be blessed (Gen. 22:18) and as Paul pointed out in Galatians that offspring is Christ (Gal. 3:16).
This is a mystery that was not known by the world, nor was it known by the enemies of God. As Paul concluded in his Corinthian correspondence,
“None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. 2:8).
Yet, now, God’s wisdom is made manifest to them through the church, composed of both the Jew and Gentile (Eph. 3:10).
What is perhaps most wonderful about this is that as Gentiles are brought into the family of God, many who were formerly pagans, this is a specific target against these rulers and authorities.
For those who sacrificed to idols sacrificed to demons (1 Cor. 10:20). As a result, as these people are saved and turn from their wicked ways, it is a direct slap in the face to every power of darkness that sets itself up against God.
The domain of darkness is falling apart, while the Kingdom of God’s Beloved Son is being built (see Col. 1:13-14).
This was the plan of God all along, although it was a mystery hidden for ages. It was according to God’s “eternal purpose.”
Before God created man and woman, before He created the worlds, before anything was made that was made, there was an eternal plan of God to bring about our redemption and inclusion into His family. Before humankind fell into sin, God had already made a remedy.
The omniscient God is never in a panic seeking a backup plan. He was not surprised when the fruit was taken from the tree.
In His eternal purpose, He had redemption planned from the very beginning; yet it was a mystery hidden until the time of the New Covenant and this is what we are privileged to enjoy today.
Let us not discount the wondrous time in which we live that we not only experience the mystery made known, but that all who are in Christ are direct beneficiaries of it!
Can you IMAGINE how the Gentiles felt knowing they could have access to eternal life too!?