God's grand plan for the ages is a great starting point for discussions on God's amazing grace.
In Ephesians 1 : 8 - 10, Paul says this about God's plan, which had been a mystery up until then,
"In all his wisdom and insight God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head." [GNB]
In Colossians 1 : 19 - 20, Paul describes the plan this way...
"For it was by God's own decision that the Son has in himself the full nature of God. Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven." [GNB]
Once God's purpose of the ages is clear in our minds, it is then an easy walk through the New Testament to discover how God will accomplish this. Paul summarises the "how" in Romans 11 : 32 and Philippians 2 : 9 - 11 ....
"For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all." [TNIV]
"Then God gave Christ the highest place and honored his name above all others.
So at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And to the glory of God the Father everyone will openly agree, 'Jesus Christ is Lord!' " [CEV]
You'll find some other verses on the same theme in the "Elders Meeting Scriptures" post last month.
By the way, God has other mysteries that he reveals through the Apostle Paul and it's an exciting ride to find these and to meditate upon them. Most of them involve us, so start looking. If you get stuck and can't find any, just ask.
Barry
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