[NOTE: I will begin with my re-statement of the passage. Then I will present a list of “I Will…” Statements that I wrote based on that section. Reading these sections will give you some insight into what struck me as I studied through these texts, but your time would be better spent doing your own 3-column study first. After you have written your study then reading mine will give you another set of eyes and experiences that may help you with your efforts to hear from God.]

Ephesians 3:1-21

(1-5) Extending this amazing unity to non-Jews is why Paul was arrested. Haven’t you heard, God charged him to preach this amazing grace to those formerly excluded from it? Though this truth used to be hidden, God told Paul directly and he has just written about it some. Reading this pulls back the curtains so we can see too. You can trade on this “insider” information.  None of our ancestors had access to what we learned from the Spirit through his spokesmen.

(6-9) The shocking news is that the outcasts have been adopted and given equality with the natural children.  All who have this get it through Jesus—the Promised One. It took a mighty act of God’s grace to save Paul and entrust him with this newly revealed message. Nothing he had done earned him the right to tell this blessed news to the non-Jews. Only grace let Paul have the privilege of revealing this long-hidden truth of the Creator’s plan.

(10-11) Higher spiritual beings are amazed that God could pull this reunion off—nothing prepared them for this glorious maneuver. It was actually his plan from the beginning to save both groups in one body by Jesus.

(12-13) Jesus gives us the way to come to God boldly and without hindrance. Paul’s imprisonment shouldn’t depress his readers since they actually flow out of getting them this amazingly good news.

(14-21) Paul prayed to Father God for their encouragement. This whole family gets its name from Papa God. Paul asks that the Holy Spirit will empower them internally so that Jesus will reside in their inner self through their trust.  Also he asked that love will ground them so they, along with all believers, comprehend the vast love of Jesus so they can experience this love that’s deeper than they can intellectually understand, so they will grow up to God’s provision for them fully! Praise be to God because his power working in us is greater than we can conceive—he does so much more than we ask. He gets the glory from Jesus and his church—always.  Let it be!

“I Will…” Statements:

• I will remember my old state.
• I will keep Satan’s reign as a thing of your past.
• I will realize my old lifestyle was really a death wish locking me into punishment.
• I will praise God for his loving mercy!
• I will remember I am alive in Christ and this is all by grace.
• I will live consistent with my high standing with Christ.
• I will let the fruit of God’s kindness shine through my life.
• I will live in the free gift of God’s grace—walk by faith, not sight.
• I will not boast, but proclaim, “God did this, not me!”
• I will do the good things God prepared for me to do.
• I will remember this place of honor hasn’t always been mine to enjoy—I was on the outside looking in.
• I will remember how it feels to be excluded.
• I will remember how marvelous it feels to have a way to God opened up.
• I will preach Jesus’ amazing role as the unifier we needed.
• I will value his sacrificial work of unifying the great divide.
• I will value Jesus’ body and its function of ending hostilities.
• I will accept Jesus’ message of peace.
• I will accept the people Jesus is reconciling to the Father.
• I will love others as family.
• I will build consistent with Jesus as my foundation.
• I will be holy—worthy of God’s presence.
• I will keep spiritual peace consistent with Jesus’ life and place.
• I will realize someone may have suffered for me to have faith.
• I will learn God’s will for my life, especially to use me to bless others.
• I will join God in telling the secrets.
• I will read Scripture for insight into God’s mysterious ways.
• I will appreciate the “insider information” I have through Jesus.
• I will join in God’s work of breaking down barriers that we are too comfortable accepting.
• I will serve the gospel by God’s power in me.