Thank you for downloading this devotional from Truth Matters Church titled, The Mystery Hidden for Ages. This devotional is from our series on Colossians, and you can find others at our website truthmatterschurch.org. In Colossians 1 verse 24, the Apostle Paul spoke of his suffering for the body of Christ, which is the church. And he continued in the following verses with, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations, but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." That's Colossians 1 verses 25 to 27. Many believers struggle to understand God's will for their lives, but Paul did not. After his dramatic conversion from a Christian-hunting Pharisee to a devoted apostle of Christ, he had a very clear understanding of his calling. Paul describes himself here as a minister according to the stewardship of God. He expresses a similar sentiment in Ephesians 3 verses 7 to 9. The Greek word translated here as stewardship is the same term Jesus used for management in Luke chapter 16, and it implies a leadership or administrative role. Paul affirmed here to the Colossians that God had entrusted him with the authority of an apostle to proclaim the gospel. And Paul's mission was to make the Word of God fully known. Paul was called to reveal the Word of God, which had been a mystery hidden for ages and generations, but now revealed to his saints. He discusses this mystery at length in his letter to the Ephesians and again here in Colossians. So what is this mystery? Well, verse 27 provides the answer. Paul further clarifies this in Ephesians 3 verse 6, the mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Additionally, in Galatians 3 verse 14 he writes, so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised spirit through faith. Although the Old Testament contained plenty of clues that the Messiah would come for all people, such as in Isaiah 49 verse 6 and Isaiah 60 verse 3, Psalm 117 verse 1, and so on, many Jewish believers at that time believed that Gentiles were merely fuel for the fires of hell. To Paul's former Pharisaical peers, his words here would have been shocking, maybe even blasphemous. But to Gentile readers, these were a source of immense joy and hope. Likewise, we should find joy and hope in this great mystery revealed here through Paul. Christ is the bridge to the Father for all who believe. No one is excluded from salvation based solely on nationality, race, or lineage, only by their personal response to Jesus Christ. As Paul writes in Romans 4 verse 16, that is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring, not only to the adherent of the law, which would be the Jews, but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all." Therefore, let's walk in faith, fully trusting in Christ's sacrifice to cover all of our sins once and for all. See Hebrews 10 verse 10. Let us strive each and every day to live in a manner worthy of our calling, looking to the hope of glory which is both in us and that awaits us. Again, thank you for downloading this devotional from Truth Matters Church. You can find more from our series in Colossians, Philippians, and Ephesians on our website, truthmatterschurch.org, or simply search for us on Sermon Audio. Have a blessed day.