Tag Archives: Ephesians

Deuteronomy 20

— by on

Deuteronomy 20 describes laws concerning warfare. Israel were about to face many battles while entering the promised land, fighting against nations known for their military prowess. Moses tells Israel, “when you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt… Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory”.

Israel had good reason to be afraid; from a natural standpoint they had no chance of defeating the Canaanites. With God fighting on their behalf though, their victory was assured. This language is very similar to language used to describe our battle against sin. Ephesians 6, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might”. 2 Corinthians 10, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds”. 1 Corinthians 15, “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The war is already won, we just need to fight our daily battles against sin, confident that God is on our side.

John 12

— by on

Jesus continues his metaphor about light and darkness in John 12. In the context of explaining to the crowds at the Passover feast about his impending death, Jesus says “the light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you… believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”

Later, Jesus said “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness”. Darkness is not just the opposite of light, it is the absence of it. Without the light of the gospel message, we are without hope, without understanding of the future, as Jesus also points out, “The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going”.

Paul picks up on some of these ideas, exhorting the Ephesians to “walk as children of light”, since they were “at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord”. As children of light, our future is clear. It is up to us to share that hope with those around us.

 

Ephesians 5-6, Numbers 25

— by on

Ephesians is not just a letter that outlines the way God would include the Gentiles in His plan for salvation. It is also a letter full of practical advice, ways for us to respond to God’s love. Chapter 4 concluded “forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you“, and chapter 5 commences “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love“. We have been forgiven by God, and so Paul encourages us to imitate God, as a child imitates their parent, showing to those around us the same love a parent has for their child.

Paul warns against sexual immorality, a warning we hear often. But Paul puts covetousness at the same level. I think this is a significant challenge for us in a consumer-driven society; covetousness is reinforced on a daily basis, yet Paul strongly warns against it.

Paul exhorts instead to “Walk as children of light… and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” Discipleship is not passive or blind, it is up to us to use the light of Christ’s example to see what we should be doing, and where we should be heading. “when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light… look carefully then how you walk“. So let’s put on the whole armour of God, daily battling against sin, strengthened by the knowledge that God is rich in mercy.

 

Ephesians 3-4

— by on

In Ephesians 3-4, Paul continues his explanation of and praise for God’s plan of salvation, “the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel”. This was a “mystery hidden for ages”, so that now “we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in” Christ.

Paul praises God for planning and revealing this inclusion of the Gentiles, “now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.”

Paul also urges us “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace“. That is the hard part of being a disciple, overcoming our pride, putting others higher than ourselves in order to work together as a unified body, building “itself up in love”.

Ephesians 1-2

— by on

Paul’s focus in Ephesians is to explain God’s plan of salvation, for Jews and Gentiles alike. As such, I find this letter to be highly encouraging. The letter is full of phrases like “blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places”. We are very blessed to have been called to serve God, predestined to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ. We have redemption and forgiveness, through the blood of Christ. God has revealed “the mystery of his will… to unite all things in him”.

Paul gives thanks for the Ephesians upon hearing of their love toward all the saints. In typical over-the-top fashion, Paul does not cease “to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers”, especially because they were now enlightened to the hope to which they had been called.

Like the Ephesians, we were once “dead in trespasses and sins”, before we were baptised. But even before we committed our lives to God, He, “being rich in mercy… made us alive together with Christ”.  We are “members of the household of God… built together into a dwelling place for God by the spirit”.

Paul writes these massive sentences as though he can’t contain the emotion and wonder at the things God has done for us. We have “been saved through faith … it is the gift of God”. What an incredible gift!

 

Ephesians 5-6

— by on

Ephesians is a letter full of practical advice that applies to us as much as it did to the Ephesians. Chapter 4 concludes “forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you“, and chapter 5 commences “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children“. We have been forgiven by God, and so Paul encourages us to imitate God, as a child imitates their parent.

“Walk as children of light… and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” Discipleship is not passive or blind, it is up to us to use the light of Christ’s example to see what we should be doing, and where we should be heading. “when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light… look carefully then how you walk“.

So let’s put on the whole armour of God, stand fast in our battle against sin, comparing our life to the illuminating example of Christ.

 

Luke 4

— by on

Jesus quotes Isaiah, saying that he had been sent “to proclaim good news to the poor… proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”

Like the audience in the synagogue that day, we too have been given good news, as Paul describes “the mystery of Christ… that the Gentiles are fellow heirs…partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”  We’ve been set free from the captivity of sin, had our eyes opened, and been offered everlasting liberty from the pain and suffering of a mortal life.

 

Mark 10

— by on

“With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mankind is incapable of saving itself, but God “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing… predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ“. We have been offered an undeserved gift, to be called God’s children, made righteous through our faith. Let’s be guided by that knowledge in our life, willing to leave behind all that this world offers, content in the certainty of our eternal inheritance made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Deuteronomy 26

— by on

“You have declared today that the Lord is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice.”  Just like the Israelites, we’ve agreed to do the same at our baptism, to serve God, to walk in His ways, to listen to His voice and obey it.

Just like the Israelites, we are part of God’s “treasured possession.”  God has offered deliverance from the slavery of sin, and “made us alive together with Christ…so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus“.  The greatest gift one could ever receive, even while knowing exactly what sort of people we are, that we would often stumble and fall.

Yet we “are being built together into a dwelling place for God”. This is the hope we have to cling to, that despite any present pain or suffering, we will be part of God’s dwelling place.

Ephesians 1-2

— by on

Thanks be to God, who in love “predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ”. Even before we knew God, He adopted us as children, offered us redemption through the blood shed by Jesus’ sacrifice, and revealed “the mystery of his will”.

Like Paul, I too give thanks to God for your encouragement and example of faith and love.