His Promise In Christ

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.

Ephesians 3:6

Paul has never abandoned His overall theme of what it means to be ‘in Christ.’  We see it arise again in our text for today.  Paul is declaring that in Christ, ‘the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, of the same body, and partakers of His (that is, God’s) promise.’  This means, as we have pointed out recently, that the Jews and Gentiles are united in Christ, as well as, equal in Christ.  They are also ‘partakers of His promise.’  God has made promises to His people throughout history.  He made promises to Abraham regarding his descendants.  He declared that they would be innumerable. He has made promises regarding the land, and by logical extension, the earth.  In a very specific sense, these were to Israel, but in the broader sense they were promises made to all those who would ultimately become the people of God in Christ.  All these promises come to fruition by union with Christ.  What anyone receives by way of the fulfillment of the promises of God they receive in Christ through the gospel.  Therefore, no matter where we begin, as Jew or Gentile, when we come to be ‘in Christ,’ we become the ‘fellowheirs’, of the same body, and partakers of His promise.’  This means for us, unity, equality and inheritance.

Our Wise and Wonderful God,
we rejoice that You have given us all things in Christ.
We praise You that our citizenship is in heaven,
as one Body in Christ.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning