Welcome to this devotional Study of the Epistle to the Ephesians. The purpose of this study is to enhance your spiritual life through a daily reading of the LORD your GOD's word, and to apply it to your life. The LORD will bless your daily study of his word.
The letter to the Ephesians gives us purpose to our spiritual relationship. Not only does Paul write the reason we have been invited to such a relationship, he also outlines what our response should be. Ephesians is a type of mission statement.
"For he chose us in Christ before the creation of the world," begins Paul in verse 4, "to be holy and blameless in his sight." Combining this with the first verse of John's Gospel, informs us that just as Christ was part of the plan of salvation from the beginning, so are we. We have been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
Have you ever felt that you are isolated from GOD's plan? Perhaps, you don't realize yet what your specific purpose is, even so, these words are meant to establish your place and purpose in eternity. In fact, it has never been in doubt from the beginning.
How has this miraculous transition been achieved? In chapter 2, Paul writes that we were made alive because of GOD's love and mercy. Formerly, we were dead in our state of separation from GOD. But, just as GOD raised up Christ, we are seated in heavenly realms. This done in order that GOD might show the incomparable riches of his grace.
From the beginning, then, we have been considered as part of eternity. And in this temporal world, the separation we have experienced from GOD has been bridged through the work of the Christ Jesus. Not for any selfish purpose of our own, but to demonstrate GOD's grace. In fact, the temporal world would not even acknowledge this as a benefit even if it were able to consider it. Nonetheless, this is the purpose and reason we have been brought into a spiritual relationship.
What should be our response? How should we see a transformation in our lives? Unity in the body of Christ means we are urged to live a life worthy of the calling we have received, Paul writes in chapter 4. He insists on us turning from the fruitless ways of our former lifestyle. Instead, we are to be imitators of GOD, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to GOD. And, we are not left alone without any tools to accomplish this task. Paul shows us that we have armor from GOD.
In this way, Paul informs us of our purpose in this life. We are chosen by GOD's grace to be in a relationship with eternity. Our task in this temporal world is to live a life of love. The tools to accomplish this task are truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. If you are ever in doubt about what role you play in GOD's plan, Ephesians is the letter to read.
In a prior lesson, we learned of the foundations of the Hebrew religion. Leviticus established the Israelites as uniquely chosen by the LORD their GOD to lead lives distinguished from the nations around them. At the beginning of their religion, they were shown how to worship GOD. In a similar way, at the beginning of Christianity, Paul writes to the Ephesians to tell them of their unique calling, why they were brought to a special relationship, and how to live their lives in a way which would distinguish them from those around them. In both cases, the people were selected not for their own glorification, but to demonstrate the grace of GOD.
In the previous lesson, we returned to the journey of the Israelites as they made their way to the boarder of Canaan, only to be turned back by disobedience and faithlessness. The book of Numbers earns its name because of the two census which are taken. In addition to this accounting, the history of the Israelites unfolds further. We are introduced to rebellion from Korah, deception from Balaam, and salvation from a bronze snake. A study of Numbers reveals the importance of faithfulness before GOD, and the penalty an entire generation paid for there lack of faith.
As we explore the Book of Deuteronomy as the subject of our next lesson, we will read the final addresses given to the Israelites from Moses. As he looks forward to their future, he encourages them to be faithful. To remember their commitment which derives from their unique spiritual relationship, and to return to the LORD for forgiveness. Our role is little different as we will learn from Paul's Letter to the Ephesians.
Recommended Reading
"This epistle,...emphasises the truth that the Church is the body of which Christ is the Head. While Paul had mentioned the same truth earlier, in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12, he develops it more fully here. There is no higher point of revelation than is reached in this epistle which shows the believer as seated with Christ in the heavenlies and exhorts him to live in accordance with this high calling. Actually the epistle falls into two main parts of three chapters each. In Ephesians 1-3 the apostle tells believers what they are in Christ; In Ephesians 4-6 he tells them what they are to do because they are in Christ.
"The theological insight and depth of this epistle are so great that some have considered it to be the most profound work in the entire Bible. No book in all the Bible gives such a panorama of GOD's redemptive purpose -- from before the foundation of the world to its consummation in the fullness of Christ. The breadth of the entire Biblical message is encompassed within this brief letter : GOD chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world; made us alive from sin by grace through faith in the LORD Jesus Christ; and, by breaking down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Greek, male and female, bond and free, made us one new man in Christ, that we might grow up unto the measure of the stature of fullness of Christ.
"We are called to walk worthily of his calling, in One LORD, One Faith, and One Baptism, keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. Such a summary of the vast reach of GOD's purpose is found nowhere else in all the Scripture." Alfred Martin, Th.D., Introduction to Ephesians, The Open Bible, Thomas Nelson, Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, US, 1975:
Next, we will combine the instruction we have received from Paul with that from Moses in Deuteronomy. As you wade through the distractions of your busy day, or find yourself overwhelmed with the information in your spiritual study, reflect on these three themes. First, GOD loves you. Not because of anything you do or who you are, but because GOD wills to love you as one who has been created by GOD. Second, any barriers that may have existed between you and your spiritual relationship are bridged by the LORD. There is nothing which hinders your relationship. All distractions have been removed. Finally, as we become more aware of our own spiritual relationship, we are more sensitive to those around us who are also seeking spiritual guidance. Like two passengers on a train. We may disembark at different stops, so, we only have a short time to share together. Let it be shared in the spirit of your relationship.