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Writings of David Chadwell Ephesians 3:8-10, To me,
the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles
the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the
administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created
all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through
the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
Abraham was a nomad. Isaac was blind. Jacob lived with frustration of having two
wives who were jealous sisters. Moses endured the ceaseless complaining and
discontent of an entire people. Samuel knew the sting of rejection. David lived
the life of a fugitive. Isaiah was to prophecy until there was total
devastation. Jeremiah delivered messages no one wished to hear. Jesus died the
death of a criminal.
Paul understood God is not a one dimensional God. God did the unthinkable
through ways that defied believability. Though He promised Abraham that He would
bring a blessing to all humanity (Genesis 12:3), not even the angels understood
what God sought to accomplish in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:10-12).
What was this incredible thing God did? He unleashed a power on earth that could
allow any man or woman (regardless of culture, education, or background) to
become one of the called out people of God. Any man or woman who had the courage
to allow God to teach him or her the purpose and focus of life could belong to
God. Those who have the courage to be “the called out for God” are to be living
testimonies to God’s great wisdom and power.
Could God free slaves from one of the world’s most powerful nations? Yes! Could
God make a nation from those slaves? Yes! Could God send His son through that
nation? Yes! Could God provide the atonement for all the evil humanity commits
through the blood of His son? Yes! Could God raise His son from death? Yes!
Could God forgive anyone who accepts His sacrifice and trusts His promises? Yes!
Can God forgive you? Yes!
That is the mystery God revealed in Jesus Christ! The astounding thing is not
what we have done! The astounding thing is what God has done! Astoundingly, God
did it through a death and resurrection!
This was not just any death. It was the death of a son totally devoted to God’s
will. It was not just any resurrection (resurrections had occurred before
through God’s power). This resurrection was unique. It was the permanent defeat
of death. It still stands as the proof that death is never the end of the man or
woman with the courage to belong to God.
No one but God can defeat OUR death. Let all human power take note—only God
defeats death permanently! God demonstrated this truth in Jesus’ resurrection!
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Writings of David Chadwell
