Ephesians 3:7-13

Overview:
Paul speaks of his calling to be a minister of the gospel. His call is to preach to the Gentiles "the unsearchable riches of Christ," and to bring to their understanding those things that had previously been hidden from them. He is able to do this because of what Christ did for us on the cross. We are now able to "have boldness and access with confidence" as we come to God in prayer. He ends this section by asking them to not lose heart because he is suffering.
Application:
Christ died so that I might have access to God's throne, that I could bring my requests with boldness before Him. What strikes me is that such a high price was paid for something I don't use nearly enough!! How grieved God must be that we don't fully use the gift He has given us! I know as a parent, when I have sacrificed financially to give my kids something they want, only to find that it is gathering dust someplace, it bothers me. My angst is so infinitesimally small compared to how it must grieve the Father that He sacrificed His Son's life, but I don't access the right Christ died to give me - to come boldly to the Father in prayer. Pray more, worry less, and be thankful for the price that was paid for my freedom!

Ephesians 3:1-6

Overview:
Paul calls his oversight of the Gentiles "stewardship" - he is looking after them for His Master. He reveals the "mystery of Christ" is that the Gentiles are "fellow heirs," on the same footing with the Jews in their relationship to Christ. Gentiles are members of the same body of believers because of their relationship with Christ.
Application:
Although I am on the same level as His chosen people, the Jews, I and all Gentiles have not replaced them. I have been added to them, but that addition did not annihilate their relationship to God. I should have a special place in my heart (and I do) for my Jewish brothers and sisters. We are fellow partakers of the gift of salvation. We each have to decide if we accept that free gift. We don't receive it because of who we are or what we've done - we receive it because of what He did for us. Jews and Gentiles must accept that Christ is the promised Messiah and He came to set us free - free from the bondage of sin and its eventual penalty - hell.

Ephesians 2:11-22

Overview:
Remember Gentiles that there used to be a division between Jews and yourselves, based in part on Jews being circumcised and you were not. But because of Christ, you are both brought together. "For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one (v. 14) and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility..." Now Jews and Gentiles alike have access to God through the Holy Spirit. We are one body and Jesus is the cornerstone.
Application:
There are many things that divide us as Christians, but we must keep in mind that if we have accepted Christ's free gift of salvation, then we are one body in Christ. Differences must be set aside for the purpose of winning others to Christ. Our enemy should not be w/in the body, but Satan and his demons. A house divided will fall. We cannot be effective in this world if we are at war w/ one another. If we focused on what we have in common, perhaps the world would view us differently and we would be known by our love instead of being known for our "narrow" thinking. I'm not saying that doctrine is not important, it is, but - if I'm going to be in heaven w/ someone who holds a different doctrine than I, I need to focus on what we have in common so we can be victorious in our battle against the world and Satan, and be victorious in winning souls for Christ.