The Book of Ephesians:

Who We are in Christ

Your word is a lamp to guidemy feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

The Book of Ephesians:Who We are in Christ

A study byMike Prater

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The Book of Ephesians:

Who We are in Christ

GreenLife Publications, LLC209 North StreetWaynesville, MO 65583www.greenlifepublications.comsales@greenlifepublications.com

© 2018 by Michael Prater. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without writ-ten consent of the author. Inquiries may be addressed to the publisher, GreenLife Publications, LLC.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copy-right © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

GreenLife Publications and the leaf logo are registered trade-marks of GreenLife Publications, LLC.

ISBN: 978-1-936302-09-8

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To my wife Melodie, for so many reasons.My song, my partner, my strength.

Thank you for always believing in me.Let’s walk hand in hand to the

end of this lovely path.

A Note From the Author

This book grew from my personal apprecia-tion of the Book of Ephesians spanning over 40 years. I’ve preached countless sermons using texts from Ephesians, and I’ve taught numerous study groups covering the book verse by verse.

But more important, I’ve memorized and meditated on its truths, chewing on the meat it offers followers of Christ. In the process, I’ve grown in the Spirit immeasurably and found strength in some of my darkest personal times.

View Ephesians as a summary of the Chris-tian life. Let it speak to you. Read about God’s unfathomable love and grace for you. In His eternal wisdom, He chose to put a plan in place before the world began—a plan to adopt you into His family. Meditate on who you are in Christ as a child of God and a rightful heir to His spiritual wealth.

Pray for yourself the words of Paul’s two lengthy prayers, claiming the promises as your own. Learn about God’s order in the church and the importance of your own gifts to the body of Christ. Be encouraged and strengthened in your spiritual warfare and understanding the ultimate victory we have over the devil and his legions.

Discover God’s plan for marriages and fami-lies and how He wants us to treat one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. Finally, receive the peace, grace, and love of God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is a wide variety of outstanding re-sources regarding Ephesians for the professional student of the Bible. And there are some shorter, lighter devotional resources that help you apply Ephesians to your life in smaller seg-ments without deep study. I hope you find this book bridges the two approaches by calling you into a study of the spiritual blessings found in the Book of Ephesians and how you can use them to live the life of abundance Jesus promised.

Please know that I pray for each of you that the Word of God becomes alive in you and oper-ates in its fullness. God’ richest blessings,

Mike Prater, EdDWaynesville, MO

Mikeprater52@gmail.com

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them.

Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for

they bring life to those who find them, and heal-ing to their whole body.

Proverbs 4:20-22

Introduction

The City

Ephesus was a leading city on the west coast of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey). It essentially linked the western and eastern portions of the Roman Empire on the main highway and pos-sessed the most favorable seaport in the Asia Minor province.

The city exerted great influence culturally, economically, and religiously. With a population of over 100,000 people, Ephesus featured a broad street leading to the coast lined with com-mercial buildings. Homes of wealthy citizens were built on the hills overlooking the Aegean Sea. It even had an amphitheater that seated approximately 25,000 people.

Ephesus became the center for worship for the goddess Artemis—named Diana in Roman mythology, which often included temple prosti-tution. Her temple ranked as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and became not just a center of worship but also the primary banking institution for all of Asia Minor. The city became a center of occult practice as many used magic, witchcraft, and sorcery in attempt-ing to manipulate spiritual powers.

The natural seaport continually filled with silt from the river, and keeping it open by dredging was a constant struggle. Ephesus began to lose its significance and resources as Rome declined,

the seaport silted up, and people left the area. Archaeological excavations began in 1863, and today the ruins are a major tourist attraction, es-pecially from cruise ships that dock some 21 miles to the south of the ancient city site. Visi-tors can see amazingly intact ruins that give some idea of the city’s original splendor. The theatre, the library, the temple of Artemis, and public baths are just a few of the sights.

Paul’s Connection to Ephesus

Because of the city’s importance, it became a natural base for Paul’s missionary journeys, es-pecially throughout Asia Minor. From Ephesus, many churches were established, organized, and maintained communication with one an-other.

Chapters 18-20 in the Book of Acts tells us about Paul’s visits. He first stopped at the port and stayed a few days, going to the synagogue and “reasoning with the Jews.” Many asked him to stay, but he declined, saying he would return later. He left mature believers Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus, presumably to establish a church. They seemed to have little effect on the city until the arrival of Apollos, whom the Bible refers to as “an eloquent Jew.” He had become a believer in Egypt and traveled preaching, but he knew only about John’s baptism. Priscilla and Aquila taught him the deeper things of God and the little church began to grow.

Sometime later, Paul was traveling through on land and found “about 12” believers on the seacoast. They received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and Paul accompanied them into the city where he remained almost three years. He spoke daily in the huge lecture hall, which can still be seen today. It appears that he made tents with Priscilla and Aquila to earn money, and the Lord began to do miracles through him.

His sweat bands and work aprons were taken to sick people for healing, demons were cast out, and a true revival broke out. At one point, several million dollars’ worth of occult books were burned in one night. As silversmiths and other merchants realized they were losing money, they incited a riot, spilling over and fill-ing the amphitheater. Paul left the city, and later sent Timothy to pastor the church.

The Ephesian Church

Ephesus became known as a solid, mature church with few controversies. The Book of Eph-esians is one of the few Pauline epistles that doesn’t point out error. The church was active in missionary work and helped support poorer churches financially. Fairly reliable church his-tory tells us the apostle John settled there to live in his later years. From there he was exiled to Patmos for a time and returned to live out his life. A tomb believed to be his still exists in the city.

Only 35 years after Paul last visited, though, the Ephesian church was addressed by Jesus as one of the Seven Churches of Asia in the Revela-tion. Jesus complimented them on their stead-fastness and their stand against false teachers. But he rebuked them for “leaving their first love,” and “not loving me or each other as at the first.” He called them to “turn back to me and do the works you did at the beginning” (Revelation 2:1-7). It is a sobering reminder that we must strive to maintain a true Christ-like spirit of love, even in churches where the Spirit of God is poured out in great measure.

The Book of Ephesians

The letter to the Ephesians might have been a general letter to be read in other churches. Paul wrote it from prison in Rome about 61 A.D. The letter begins with an overview of God’s wis-dom being made manifest before the world be-gan. Paul then moves to the present, where God is saving and transforming all of us who believe in Christ. He reiterates the marvelous promises we have, who we really are in Him, and the au-thority we have as believers.

Paul writes about the future, where all evil will be overcome. He points out that in the present, however, we will continue to have con-flicts because our battle is with the forces of evil. Paul ends the letter with directives for some practical matters of the Christian life such as family and work.

Overall, the letter to the Ephesians provides us with a grand vision of who we are in Christ and a goal toward which we can continually grow. Join me as we explore the wonderful Book of Ephesians. Let the Word of God transform you!

Chapter 1

Spiritual Blessings

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms be-cause we are united in Christ. (Eph. 1:1-3)

After a wonderful greeting from Paul, he im-mediately highlights our unique position as chil-dren of God, who has bestowed on us every spir-itual blessing.

What are those spiritual blessings? We imme-diately think of heaven, eternal life, living for-ever in the presence of God—blessings we will receive sometime in the future. As we ponder further, we might think about things in this life such as love, joy, peace, and hope.

But every spiritual blessing? Our human minds fail when we try to comprehend what they might be. Only eternity will reveal the full extent of the spiritual blessings God has given us. For now, be assured that you have been given every enrichment needed for spiritual life.

In this physical world, some of us have more blessings than others. Some have good health while others suffer from debilitating diseases. Some have wealth while others live in poverty. Some are lovely to look at while others have been disfigured from horrible accidents or birth defects. Some children come from healthy, sup-portive homes while others suffer unthinkable abuse.

But we are all equal under the cross. Be posi-tively assured of this:

No matter your background, your experiences, your abilities, your wealth, or your position in this world—God has given YOU every spiritual

blessing!

When did God give you all this? Sometime in the eternal past. Notice we’re told that “God has blessed us ….”

Several times in the Old Testament we find God instructing his people to enter a land and take what He had already given them. For ex-ample, Joshua was told, “the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them” (Joshua 1:2).

When the Israelites entered the Land of Canaan, they discovered that it wasn’t always easy—they had to fight some big, ugly, scary enemies. But the victory was already theirs, and they ultimately enjoyed the blessings God had already given them.

The same principle applies to us as we, in faith, step out to appropriate those spiritual blessings God has already given us. We en-counter some big, ugly, scary enemies ourselves—enemies like fear, doubt, guilt, shame, and a sense of unworthiness, to name a few. But re-member we aren’t fighting for a position of vic-tory; we are fighting from a position of victory because God has already given us the promise of all spiritual blessings.

After Paul tells us about these blessings and when they were provided to us, he states where they are located—in the heavenly realms. Where are the heavenly realms? Put simply, they are the spiritual worlds unseen by our human eyes. Paul used this term five times in Ephesians, and nowhere else in his writings, although he cer-tainly alluded to the spiritual world throughout his epistles.

Our physical blessings vary depending upon a variety of circumstances, and those physical blessings can come and go in an instant. But spiritual blessings are constant! As we grow in the Spirit, we become more aware of the spiri-tual world and all that it contains.

Paul affirms in Romans 8:6, “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”

Spiritual growth means growing in our aware-ness of the “heavenly realms” and letting those spiritual truths guide our lives, regardless of what is happening in the physical world around

us. A good friend of mine commented once, “We aren’t humans having a spiritual experience; we are spirits having a human experience.”

What Do You Think?

1. What are some spiritual blessings that you want to thank God for right now?

2. How does knowing that He has already provided you with these blessings change your prayer life?

3. In what ways do you wish to grow in the Spirit and become more aware of the spiri-tual world and its truths?

God Chose Us for Himself

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and with-out fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.

(Eph. 1:4-5)

Somewhere in the eternal past, God decided that He wanted a family. The theological term is that he “predestined” us. That is, He “marked us out beforehand.”

Does that mean that God pre-determines some to be saved and some to be condemned to hell? Of course not! He could have decided to create robots that mindlessly praise and serve Him, but His love compelled Him to create us with a free will. We decide whether we want to be part of His family or not.

God put in place all the necessary compo-nents to ensure that He has a family who is in His image. Paul spends much of the first part of Ephesians explaining how this all works, but I want you to look first at one phrase from verse 4: “God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”

Think about that for a minute. Do you feel holy and without fault right now? Stand in front of a mirror and say aloud to yourself, “I am holy and without fault!” Something feels wrong about that, doesn’t it?

This is an example of a spiritual truth conflict-ing with our physical world. We don’t feel holy and without fault because we are aware of our sinful, dirty, carnal flesh. Yet, God’s Word says that we are holy and without fault in his eyes. Who are you going to believe—your feelings or God’s Word? To be carnally minded is to trust your feelings, while to be spiritually minded is to believe in faith what God says about you.

Remember the theme of the entire Book of Ephesians is “Who We are in Christ.” By faith, receive the truths of the Word and begin to let it transform your mind, the way you think about

yourself and the world, and how you interact with the world.

What Do You Think?

1. Why did God adopt us?2. How did he adopt us? 3. Did he pay a fee for our adoption? 4. Do we have adoption papers?5. What can we do for him now that we are

adopted?

Adopted for His Pleasure

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has show-ered his kindness on us, along with all wis-dom and understanding.

(Eph. 1:6-8)

The original Greek manuscripts said literally that God has “graced” us. It’s a verb that is used only one other place in the New Testament, when Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her, “you are highly favored by God.” So, we have been “graced” and are in a position of high favor with God. Paul says we should praise God for this glorious grace.

Volumes have been written about praise, but I want us to think for a moment about the power that is contained in our expressing praise to God. On Palm Sunday, when the religious lead-ers complained to Jesus that the children were shouting praise to him, he replied, “Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have perfected praise?’” (Matthew 21:6 NKJV)

Jesus was quoting Psalms 8:2, “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have or-dained strength, because of your enemies, that you may silence the enemy and the avenger.” (NKJV)

Jesus changed the wording a bit when he quoted the verse in Psalms. Instead of saying “you have ordained strength,” he said, “you have perfected praise.” He equated the praise of the children with strength.

Do you want to silence the voice of your en-emy and avenger? Then praise God for the glori-ous grace he has poured out on us! Now, I’m well aware of the struggles we have with Satan and his forces. In fact, later in Ephesians Paul gives us instructions about spiritual warfare. But I’m convinced that we spend too much time thinking about the devil, rebuking the devil, and talking to the devil. We give him way too much power in our minds.

Praise is the starting point of spiritual war-fare. Praise stills the voice of our enemy, the ac-cuser of the brethren, the avenger. Whatever you are facing, praise God first! Don’t take an-

other step without stopping to praise the One who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator of Heaven and Earth!

What Do You Think?

1. Can you pause right now and praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on you?

2. How can you operate in all wisdom and understanding in every aspect of your life?

3. Do you sense the voice of the enemy in a situation in your life at this moment? Con-fess aloud who you are in Christ, blessed with all spiritual blessings, and holy and without fault in God’s eyes—then commit to praising God daily.

God’s Mysterious Plan

God has now revealed to us his mysteri-ous plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything to-gether under the authority of Christ—every-thing in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united in Christ, we have re-ceived an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. (Eph. 1:9-11)

Paul now turns his attention to describing God’s plan for his creation, a plan so mysterious, so far above our earthly wisdom, that we re-ceive mere glimpses of his ultimate purposes. Sin has disarranged God’s creation, although He knew beforehand the consequences of sin and put into place a plan to reconcile all of creation unto him.

He has a plan to make everything right and put everything in order under the headship of Christ. As Colossians 1:20 says, “… God recon-ciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.”

God’s mysterious plan is revealed in stages, or as the Bible terms them, times. Jesus coming at the first advent “in the fullness of time” was one of those times. The descent of the Holy Ghost “when Pentecost was fully come” was an-other time. The conversion of the Jews “when the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled,” the sec-ond coming of Christ, the millennial kingdom, and the new heaven and earth are all instances of “the dispensation of the times.

Translated precisely from the Greek, Paul here in verse 9 writes, “unto the dispensation of the fulness of the times which he purposed in himself.” When all the times are filled up or completed, God the Father, according to his own good pleasure and purpose, will sum up all things and reconcile creation unto himself.

I’m sure you are like me; I can’t imagine how creation will appear in its perfect state, with Sa-

tan in eternal punishment and Jesus on the throne ruling spiritual realms in their perfect condition. But I am sure of one thing—I want to be there! I want to find myself worthy through my faith in the blood of the Lamb to partake of that eternal life in God.

We’re Sealed with the Holy Spirit

… And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so that we would praise and glorify him.

(Eph. 1:13-14)

When the disciples heard that Jesus was go-ing to leave them, they were very distressed. But Jesus assured them that “In fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Ad-vocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you” (John 16:7).The Greek work translated “Advocate” by NLT is paraclete, which is synonymous with comforter, encourager, or counselor. The third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit of God, comes to make his home inside us at our new birth.

As wonderful as the promise is, Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit is merely a seal, a promise of an even greater inheritance to come. A seal en-

sures a person’s promise to adhere to his term of as agreement. God has vowed by His own Word and sealed the deal with the Holy Spirit.

Ancient Ephesus was a major port for logs which were cut and transported to the coast to await shipment. While stacked, a seal was placed on the end of each log to identify the owner. God has placed his seal upon you to identify his ownership. You belong to him!

What Do You Think?

1. How does the Holy Spirit act as your com-forter, your encourager, and your coun-selor?

2. How do you feel the seal of the Holy Spirit on you?

3. How do you yield the members of your body to the Holy Spirit as his temple?

4. Since God has purchased you, how do you praise and glorify Him?

Paul’s Prayer for Us

Verses 15 through 20 contains the first of two prayers for the saints in the book of Ephesians. I modify this first prayer somewhat below so that you can pray the prayer from your own heart. I strongly encourage you to pray the prayer daily,

meditating on each verse and letting their truth sink into your spirit.

I do so with little commentary because the prayer speaks for itself, but the main themes of the prayer are that we are asking God to give us spiritual wisdom, insight, and understanding so that we may grow in our knowledge of Him. We also pray that we will understand the greatness of God’s power that is extended to us. Please pray this prayer found on the next page for yourself—over and over.

Dear God, the Father of my Lord Jesus Christ;

I ask that you give me spiritual wisdom and in-sight so that I might grow in my knowledge of you.

I pray that my heart will be flooded with light so that I can understand the confident hope you have given me—a holy person who is part of your rich and glorious inheritance.

I also pray that I will understand the incredible greatness of your power for me, because I be-lieve in you.

This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

I thank you that the same resurrection power is at work in my body, my mind, and my soul.

Amen.

Christ’s Position of Authority

Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in

this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. (Eph. 1:21-23)

God has seated Christ far above all the ranks of evil spirits, the ranks of angels of light, and all earthly rulers; all powers “seen and unseen” bow to his authority. The power of citizens in any kingdom rests in the power of their ruler. Therefore, we share in the power of Christ’s po-sition. He is the head—he isn’t severed from his body. We sit with Christ in those heavenly places.

What Do You Think?

1. What does it mean to be seated in heav-enly places in Christ? How does that knowledge affect your life in this world?

2. What major themes from this first chapter were especially meaningful to you?

3. Do you view yourself differently now in Christ? In what ways?

4. How have the truths of Ephesians One helped you to grow spiritually?

Chapter 2Our Old Position: Dead to God

In Chapter 1 Paul discussed God’s eternal plan in choosing those predestined to become His sons and the fact that we are brought to-gether under Christ. He further explained the spiritual blessings and authority we have in this world and in the world to come because of his love for us.

Chapters 2 and 3 describe this eternal plan by showing how God turns sinners into saints, holy and righteous before Him. Paul begins the second chapter by describing how sinners who deserve nothing but God’s wrath become tro-phies of His grace.

Once you were dead because of your dis-obedience and your many sins. You used to live like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the pas-sionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature, we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. (Eph. 2:1-3)

We were all once spiritually dead, separated from God. To be dead means that you can’t communicate. In this case, you can’t communi-

cate with God because sin kills people and takes away all hope. Only the Spirit of God can quicken us to be sensitive to God and hear His voice.

What Do You Think?

1. How does the Holy Spirit quicken us to even be able to know God?

2. How did He quicken you? 3. When did that happen? 4. Has the Spirit quickened you more than

once?This world is a satanically-organized system

that hates and opposes all that is godly. The King James Version calls him “the prince of the power of the air.” Once we all lived under his do-minion. Remember, no matter how clean and pure our actions may seem, without God’s grace we are destined for an eternal punishment, just as surely as the most despicable “sinner" we can think of.

The Scriptures paint a hopeless picture of you as a degenerate who deserves nothing but God’s

wrath.

BUT GOD!!!

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by

God’s grace that you have been saved!) (Eph. 2:4-5)

The wrath of God isn’t the entire story, as the conjunction “but” indicates. Scriptures are full of stories of situations that seemed hopeless to hu-man eyes, “But God” intervened. God, who is rich in mercy, showed undeserved kindness to-ward us because of his great love.

Notice it happened in the past, when he raised Christ from the dead. There’s nothing you and I can do about it. The work is already ac-complished. We can do nothing to add to or take away from this act of grace.

We must simply accept it by faith and trust in His kindness. I once heard a wise man say, “You can’t have a comfortable bodily resurrection without first a resurrection of your soul.”

God Raised Us From the Dead

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and he seated us with him in the heav-enly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

(Eph. 2:6)

God’s love accomplished three things: (a) made us alive with Christ; (b) raised us up with Christ; and (c) seated us with him in the heav-enly realms.

Although all righteous believers will be bodily resurrected to eternal glory, this passage refers to the hope we have in this life. Positionally, we have been resurrected and seated with Christ in heaven. Christ’s post-resurrection body was new, powerful, and unique. Since he dwells in us, we have a new, powerful, and unique life and position.

With that resurrection comes a responsibility to have a new worldview and a new set of val-ues. Colossians 3:1 exhorts us, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”

What Do You Think?

1. What spiritual authority do you have in your life as a result of being raised and seated with Christ in the heavenly realms?

2. Jesus told us to “lay up treasures in heaven.” What treasures are you storing, and where?

3. Are there sinful, earthly things lurking within you that need to be put to death?

God is Going to Show Us Off

So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2:7)

God seems to be especially proud of us, His workmanship, and His wise plan that purchased us for Himself by the blood of his dear Son. Paul points out on more than one occasion in his writ-ings that God made a show of the devil and his kingdom, outwitting him and spoiling his plan to rule the world with sin and death. Think of that—God points to us as examples of his grace and wisdom! 1 Peter 1:12 tells us that our salvation is so wondrous that even the angels are “eagerly watching these things happen.”

What Do You Think?

1. In light of God’s grace and kindness ex-tended toward you, what responsibility do you have for living a life worthy of your calling?

2. What do you think Paul means by the phrase “in all future ages”?

Saved by Grace

God saved you by his grace when you be-lieved. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s master-piece. He has created us anew in Christ Je-sus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Eph. 2:8-10)

This passage familiar to all evangelical be-lievers is quoted often from the King James Ver-sion: “for by grace are ye saved, not of works, lest any man should boast.” It is the one verse that most inspired Martin Luther to begin the Protestant Reformation. It takes the responsibil-ity of our salvation out of our hands and places it in God’s hands. We accept in faith his work of grace rather than relying on our works.

Past Disunion and Present Union

Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathen” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Jesus. (Eph. 2:11-13)

Having completed his discussion on God’s workmanship, Paul begins the next section re-ferring to our relationship with God and with each other. To the first-century Jew, “uncircum-cised” was a viciously derogatory term. There was a huge physical and social difference be-

tween the Jews, God’s chosen people, and the contemptible heathen Gentiles.

The practice of circumcision began in Genesis 17, where God instructed Abraham to “cut off the flesh of your foreskin as a sign of the covenant between me and you” (v. 11). From that time, every male Jewish child was to be cir-cumcised on the eighth day after his birth.

We must ask ourselves: why circumcision? Why did God choose this method of physical mu-tilation to separate his people? Scholars aren’t sure. Many think it was to be Abraham’s part of the blood covenant—the blood of animals had to flow to represent God’s blood until the perfect sacrifice was offered. Therefore, circumcision re-quired man’s blood to flow until the perfect came along in the fulness of time.

Some think circumcision was a method to mark Jews’ bodies secretly, while others specu-late it was merely a practice to force good hy-giene on the people.

Whatever the reason, the Jews were quite proud that they were “of the circumcision,” which led to profound discrimination by the time of Paul’s letter. Paul made it clear that the law of circumcision was done away as Jesus fulfilled and completed every aspect of the Old Covenant.

He states in Romans 2:29, “And true circum-cision if not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit.”

How are we circumcised in the heart? God now writes his laws not on tablets of stone but on our hearts. We are now led by the Spirit rather than by written laws.

There is no spiritual reason to continue obey-ing the law of circumcision. Just as excess flesh is removed in physical circumcision, a circum-cised heart removes the flesh part of us that is enmity with God.

What Do You Think?

1. Does discrimination exist in the church to-day?

2. What are some religious practices that might alienate certain believers and cre-ate a wall of discrimination?

3. Are there beliefs or attitudes of your heart that cause you to discriminate against oth-ers?

Peace Between Jews and Gentiles

For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one peo-ple when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that sepa-rated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles

by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. (Eph. 2:14-15)

Christ broke down the wall that separated Jews and Gentiles by ending the system of laws that man had to obey to be holy in God’s eyes. They were laws that no one could keep; no mat-ter how hard we try, we find that we break at least one law. But Christ’s final and perfect sac-rifice put an end to all that. We only have two laws to keep, and they are both “laws of the heart”—to love God with all our souls, hearts, and strength, and to love our neighbor as our-selves.

Peace Between God and Mankind

Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. (Eph. 2:16-18)

Christ’s work reconciled not only Jews to Gen-tiles, but all of mankind to God. Upon his death, the veil in the temple that separated man from the presence of God was torn in two, from the

top to the bottom. Now, as the writer of He-brews declares,

Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we

will findgrace to help us when we need it most.

(Hebrews 4:16)

A Temple for the Lord

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundations of the apostles and the prophets. And the corner-stone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy tem-ple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

(Eph. 2:19-22)

Paul gave the Gentiles, and indeed all of us, incredible hope in this passage. Just as we are outcasts without God’s grace, they were part of a heathen society filled with brokenness and a carnal worldview. But God didn’t consider them rejects; He took them in and made them part of his family.

You may feel like an outcast, a reject, a piece of trash lying beside the road. Possibly you have

been hurt, rejected, broken, and cast aside by people.

But God doesn’t consider you a piece of trash! God sees something wonderful in you, his spe-cial creation. He has chosen to pick you up from

the trash heap and craft you into a beautiful part of his family.

In fact, you aren’t even a servant—you’re an heir, an adopted son or daughter, with special privileges. Jesus called you his friend in John 15:15, “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends.” You are God’s friend!

God is carefully crafting each of us into the image he desires and fitting us together to build a holy temple. The cornerstone of this unique temple is Jesus, who quoted Psalm 118:22 when he referred to himself in Mark 12:10, “The stone the builders rejected has now become the cor-nerstone.”

In ancient times, the cornerstone was the sin-gle most important piece of any building. It was hewn perfectly square and true and laid first to ensure that the entire structure would be square. Any builder will tell you the problems that ensue on an entire project if the building isn’t laid out square to begin with!

Jesus is our cornerstone, our true square. We must pay special attention to what Jesus said and did. Too many times the church falls into er-ror by contriving what we think Jesus meant. No,

Jesus meant exactly what he said! Don’t add to or take away from what he said or how he acted in response to the world around you.

The foundation of God’s holy temple is the teaching of the prophets and apostles, espe-cially beginning on the Day of Pentecost. Any building must be set on a firm, secure founda-tion. Careful attention must be paid to ensure the foundation is dug deeply enough to be set on firm bedrock. Our firm foundation is the writ-ings of the apostles. Indeed, that is why we study from the Book of Ephesians!

I fear the church too many times attempts to change its basic beliefs to conform to present society. We want to be “modern” and attract contemporary members, so we become “user-friendly.” There is nothing wrong with using modern techniques to spread the gospel, but never at the expense of the foundational teach-ings of the apostles.

If we aren’t careful, we compare our beliefs to previous generations, evolving and changing to fit a post-modern worldview rather than re-maining firm on the teachings of men and women who gave their lives for this gospel some 2000 years ago.

Isn’t it intriguing that Paul tells us God is “carefully joining us together?” He is the master carpenter, and just as with any master builder, he has a unique set of plans. God isn’t building cookie-cutter, spec homes here! He is construct-ing a beautiful temple created from distinctive,

matchless pieces that he has carefully assem-bled.

Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus is the “au-thor and finisher of our faith” (KJV). Other trans-lations use words like “perfects” or “completes,” but I like the thought of Jesus being our finish carpenter. The finish carpenter takes his time, delicately cutting, fitting, and sanding each piece to fit his desire.

God has a unique plan for your life. He is shaping and molding you for the job he has in mind. And he takes his time! Be patient with yourself as he works with you. You are being perfectly joined with other believers to form God’s beautiful, living temple.

Please consider one more aspect of God’s work before we move on to the next chapter: He deals with all of us differently. Jesus dealt with adulterers, prostitutes, and tax collectors differ-ent than with religious folks like the Pharisees and teachers of the law.

Sometimes we don’t like that. We want God to cut and whack on others like we would if given the chance. Be careful—we’re warned about judging others or else we will be judged in the same way. Let God’s grace work on others in their unique situation just as he continues to sand down your rough edges.

What Do You Think?

1. How does Christ’s work to bring peace be-tween you and God translate into peace in your own life?

2. Do you feel like an outcast? What does God’s promise that he has adopted you into his family mean to you?

3. How is God shaping your life into his pur-pose?

4. What rough edges is God sanding down on you?

5. How do you approach the throne of grace to receive help in your time of need?

Chapter 3God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed

When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles . . . assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to your Gentiles. As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ.

God did not reveal it to previous genera-tions, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s chil-dren. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

(Eph. 3:1-6)

Having discussed the union of Jewish and Gentile believers in the church, Paul starts a prayer on behalf of us believers. But he stops right in the middle of the sentence and di-gresses on the mystery of God’s plan. He ex-plains this mystery and his calling to spread the Good News about it. Paul also refers to his im-prisonment in Rome because of his service for Christ.

After breaking off in the middle of a sentence in verse 1, Paul begins one new long sentence that ends with verse 13. He further explains how God has hidden this mysterious plan of his until the right time—another example of one of his “times” referred to in Chapter 1. But now God chose to reveal it to his “holy apostles and prophets,” who are the foundation of the Lord’s temple written about in the previous chapter.

Without getting too technical in our study, let me say that most Bible scholars believe the orig-inal language implies that the mystery was par-tially revealed in the Old Testament but is now fully revealed in the Church Age. The appropri-ate thought of the verse should be that God has not revealed this mystery in the past to the ex-tent he has now.

Paul’s Unique Ministry

By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he gra-ciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures avail-able to them in Christ. I was chosen to ex-plain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept se-cret from the beginning.

(Eph. 3:7-9)

Paul makes it clear that he is merely a ser-vant, like a man who serves as a waiter, in deliv-ering God’s message. His ministry was a result of nothing more than God’s grace, who chose him for his distinctive calling. Paul demonstrated his deep humility in view of God’s incomparably generous grace.

As a side thought, have you ever wondered why God chose Paul? Why not someone else? There were hundreds of zealous Jews killing Christians in that day, so why was Paul chosen to be the one knocked down on a road, blinded for three days, and given incredible revelation?

In modern times, why was Billy Graham cho-sen to receive such incredible anointing to preach the gospel to millions of people? Why not you? Think of anyone you know who you believe is being “used by God” more than you are. Why them and not you?

The answer lies in understanding your own unique calling and gifting. In Romans 12, Paul compares our physical bodies to the body of Christ and then states

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for do-ing certain things well. (Romans 12:4-6)

Paul then goes on in the chapter to list just a few gifts that we might have. You can read them for yourself, but he lists things like being an en-courager, showing kindness, and giving, among others. Many gifts don’t put us in the spotlight, but they bring the honor of God as we do them well.

The person faithfully and happily cleaning the toilets in the church receives the same honor from God as the pastor or worship leader. If you have the gift of encouragement, who knows the eternal impact you have on people’s lives by a single word or smile?

Jesus referred to this notion when he said

“If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be re-warded.” (Matthew 10:41-42)

What Do You Think?1. What gift or gifts has God’s grace given

you?2. How are you using them in Christ’s body?3. Have you been guilty of comparing your

gifts to others?

4. Can you pray right now for the Lord to re-veal your gifts to you and to show you op-portunities to be used?

5. Can you pray right now for the Lord to in-crease your love for others as you serve him?

The Purpose of Paul’s Ministry

God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich vari-ety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Je-sus our Lord. (Eph. 3:10-11)Paul writes of the rich variety of God’s wis-

dom on display to all the angelic hosts evil rulers and authorities in the unseen world. Think of the beauty of an embroidered pattern, a piece of art, or the variety of colors in flowers and you get the image of the rich diversity of God’s wis-dom.

Our Boldness

Because of Christ we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored. (Eph. 3:12-13)

Beyond the grace of God that provides our salvation, I don’t think there is a single promise more important than this one. God has chosen to reveal himself, to make himself accessible to you, a mere human. Go back to page … and read Hebrews 4:16. You can go boldly into the throne room of God, the creator! You can walk into his very presence.

God isn’t mad at you. He’s in a good mood! He loves you, and he is proud of you. He isn’t a grumpy old man waiting to punish you when you get out of line. He is your daddy. Spend time with him in prayer. Just talk to him, get to know him. He desires a relationship with you, just as he walked and talked with Adam in the cool of the evening.

“A praying man is as bold as a lion.There is no demon in hell that will scare him.”

-David WilkersonPaul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth

The remainder of the third chapter of Eph-esians is Paul’s second prayer for us. How pow-erful to pray the Word of God!

Dear Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth;

I pray that from your glorious unlimited re-sources you will empower me with inner strength through your Spirit.

Then Christ will make his home in my heart as I trust in him. My roots will grow down into God’s love and keep me strong.

And I ask for the power to understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep your love is.

I ask to experience the extravagant love of Christ, although it is too great to understand fully. Then I will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now I give all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within me, to accom-plish infinitely more that I might ask or think.

Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.Some Additional Thoughts About Paul’s Prayer

This prayer, like the one from the first chap-ter, needs little commentary. It’s ability to em-power us spiritually is virtually unmatched by any other prayer in the Scriptures.

Notice Paul begins the prayer by acknowledg-ing God as our Father, the Creator of all things. In giving us an example of how to pray, Jesus began in the same manner: “Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name.”

Follow this pattern in every prayer. We can walk boldly to the throne of grace, but that doesn’t give us the right to be disrespectful. You shouldn’t throw open your earthly father’s door, walk in and boldly shout, “Hey old man, I need something. Give me, give me, give me.”

How much more should you show your Heav-enly Father the respect due him? You don’t ap-proach him groveling as an unworthy worm of a person, but you recognize who he is and honor him as such—the Lord of Heaven and Earth!

Notice that Christ can make his home in your heart as you trust in him and your roots will grow down deep in his love. We’re reminded of a parable Jesus told about a man sowing seeds in different types of soils. The focus of his story was that we should guard our hearts to ensure the Word of God can be planted in fertile soil. This prayer asks God that our roots be deep in his love, causing us to be unyielding to any wind that blows.

Speaking of God’s love, we are to ask for power to understand the fulness of his love. We know God loves us. It’s almost become a trite statement to say God loves you. Now, I’m going to shock some of you with this statement: God doesn’t merely “love you.” What?

No, God doesn’t merely love you—God IS love! There’s a big difference between saying God loves you and saying God is love. On the one hand, we’re saying God chose to love us and on the other hand we’re saying God’s very nature is love.

The God of the Universe didn’t make a ratio-nal choice to love you in the same way I choose to love my wife or any other person. God doesn’t make that choice because He embodies love. You see, there is a difference between knowing God loves you and understanding the fullness of God’s love.

Paul was praying that we would fully compre-hend God’s love, although he admitted that it is impossible for us to fully understand that love. Pray the prayer with Paul. Ask God to reveal to you just how much He loves you. And then ask Him to reveal to you the depth of His love. You can’t understand it with your mind—it must be revealed by His Spirit.

Paul finishes his prayer by affirming that God is able to work in us to accomplish infinitely more than we can ever as or even imagine. I challenge you to pray daily these two prayers: this one from Chapter 3 and the other one from Chapter 1. Pray them several times a day, medi-tating and memorizing them. Let their truths settle deep into your mind and spirit. They will change you.

Chapter 4Walking in Unity

Therefore, I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Al-ways be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make ev-ery effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Ephesians 4:1-3

The first three chapters of Paul’s letter is quite doctrinal in nature. Now, beginning with Chapter 4, he turns his attention to practical ap-plications of his words in our daily lives. Paul re-peatedly emphasizes our “walk” in the remain-der of his letter.

He begins the fourth chapter with the word “therefore.” Having explained the unity of Jew-ish and Gentile believers through the wisdom of God, believers are now to show that same unity in our walk, through the gifts God gives us.

I’m reminded of the words of Jesus in one of his last prayers on this earth just before his be-trayal. We can sense Jesus’ care and concern for the disciples as he is about to leave them. That same concern was expressed for all us who be-

lieve. He was especially interested in the unity of his church.

You can read his entire prayer in John 17, but I highlight two verses:

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” John 17:20-21

I’m sure you share my sadness as I see the divisions within the body of Christ today. Jesus stated that our unity should be a sign that his Father sent him to the earth.

Paul expands on that thought, begging us to live a life “worthy of your calling.” In the Greek, the word for “worthy” means “equal weight.” Your conduct and our calling should be in bal-ance. Your conduct concerns both your personal life and your responsibility toward other believ-ers in the church.

Paul lists three virtues that should permeate the life of the believer:

Humility is listed first because it is the op-posite of pride. While humility promotes unity, pride promotes disunity. Christ, our perfect example, was the ultimate picture of humility.

Gentleness is similar to meekness. It means always having yourself under con-trol. It’s the opposite of self-asserting rudeness. Sometimes it’s all right to be as-sertive. Jesus was assertive when he threw some moneychangers out of the temple. The secret is the balance between one who is angry all the time and one who is never angry. One controlled by the Spirit will be angry at the right things, at the right time.

Patience makes allowance for other’s faults, realizing that we, too, are prone to make mistakes. Patience flows out of our love, which never gives up on someone and always sees the potential in others because of the gift God placed in them. Also, patience coming from love isn’t irri-table, and it keeps no record of being wronged (1 Corinthians 13:4).

What Do You Think?

Did these three verses step on your toes? Cheer up, it gets worse as we finish our study! Seriously, we need to hear some of the hard things from the Word. A diet of ice cream and cupcakes isn’t healthy. Our souls desire the meat of the Word that causes us to grow and plant our roots deep in our faith.

1. Have you been guilty of causing disunity in the Body of Christ? In what way? What

steps can you take to repent and sow seeds of unity?

2. Humility, gentleness, and patience: which virtue(s) do you find yourself struggling with? How can you allow the Holy Spirit to counsel and guide you to grow in love?

3. Are there some folks you need to forgive? Maybe you’re having trouble forgiving, even though you really want to. Try pray-ing for them. Pray for those who have of-fended you. Pray for God’s blessing on them. You will be amazed how you will see them differently.

Elements of Unity

For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and on God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

Ephesians 4:4-6

The reason we should make every effort to keep ourselves united in the Spirit and bind our-selves together in peace, as indicated in verse 3, is because of these seven elements of unity:

1. There is one body, the universal church composed of all believers.

2. There is one Holy Spirit who dwells within each of us, binding us together as one.

3. We all have a common hope for the fu-ture. Our blessed hope rests in the fact

that our bodies will be raised from the dead at the last trumpet call and we will live eternally with our Lord in heaven. We have a future!

4. We have one Lord, Jesus Christ.5. All of us exercise the same faith in our

Lord.6. One baptism most likely refers to water

baptism, to which every true believer sub-mits; the outward symbol that we have all confessed our sins and have been washed clean.

7. Paul uses the word “all” four times to em-phasize that God our Father is over all be-lievers. Note that, while God is the Creator of all mankind, He is the Father only over all believers.How sad to see the divisions, sects, and

schisms in the body of Christ today. One wise old man of God once told me, “Mike, truth that isn’t balanced with other truth becomes error.” I fear that too often men have taken one doctrine from God’s Word and made a denomination out of it.

It feels good to the flesh to be right and everyone else wrong, doesn’t it? To know that our group has the truth to the exclusion of others? Be careful! There is a religious spirit rising within the body that seeks to de-stroy other believers.

The same spirit was rampant in the early church, and Paul “begged” us to not succumb

to division but rather to work toward peace. No matter what our personal tenets of faith might be, all true believers can agree on the essential Christian doctrines and be part of the temple God is building.

Preserving the Unity Through Gifts

However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.” Notice that it says, “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

Ephesians 4:7-10

One of the main themes of Paul’s writings is that we are individual parts of a body, and each of us are given unique gifts so the body can function properly.

YOU have a God-given gift! YOU have a place in the body of Christ! The church needs YOU to operate fully in your gift to be effective as a body.

You can read Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthi-ans 12:8-10 to understand that the Holy Spirit chooses which gift(s) to give to whom. He puts it

all together so we can be one effective, powerful body of Christ.

Also notice that every believer receives grace to operate in his or her gift. No gift is more im-portant that another; no church office is more important than another. Clergy and laity alike are given unique gifts and ultimately receive the same rewards for being obedient and faithful to their gift, whether it is to preach to thousands or to give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name.

In this passage Paul appears to be quoting from Psalm 68:18, which gives a picture of a conquering king ascending to a throne and giv-ing the spoils of war to those who have been faithful to him. Jesus descended to the “lower parts.” Where are the lower parts? One idea is that Christ descended to our earth when he be-came flesh—our earth is most certainly a lower part. Another thought is that Christ was buried in the ground, which would be a lower part.

I personally believe the lower parts refer to hell itself, the place of the dead. Jesus suffered the penalty of sin. He took upon himself the bur-den of every sin of every person and stayed there for three days and nights. He then “led a crowd of captives” when he ascended. I can imagine Jesus leading the souls of the righteous who died under the Old Covenant as he as-cended into heaven, having taken the keys of sin and death. Satan could no longer legally hold them in the abode of the dead, just as he has no right to claim our souls upon death.

Praise God for the victory over sin on the cross and the victory over death in the three days following!

The Five Ministry Gifts

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evan-gelists, and the pastors and teachers. Ephesians 4:11

Paul lists five ministry gifts that Christ himself gave to the church. The first two, apostles and prophets, have already been mentioned as foun-dational gifts to the church. Evangelists engage in spreading the gospel, while pastors and teachers are primarily assigned to a body of be-lievers.

A discussion of the full capacity of each of the ministry gifts goes beyond this study, but we can be assured that these five offices are en-dowed by Christ to support his body for specific reasons detailed in the following section. Before moving on, let’s honor those Godly men and women who choose to accept the high calling of Spirit-inspired ministry to the church.

The Ministry Gifts Bring us to Maturity

Their responsibility is to equip God’s peo-ple to do his work and build up the church,

the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowl-edge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and com-plete standard of Christ.

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.

Ephesians 4:12-14

What an incredible responsibility rests on the shoulders of the Lord’s ministers! In fact, James gives minister wannabes some sobering advice: “. . . we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1).

Notice that ministers’ responsibility is not to do God’s work, but rather to equip us, God’s people, to do the work of the ministry. We don’t pay the preacher to do our work. The office that he or she operates in is a high calling, a gift that Christ gave us so that we might come into spiri-tual maturity.

Paul spends most of the rest of his letter de-scribing a spiritually mature Christian. He begins here in verse 14 by noting that immature Chris-tians are like children.

What Do You Think?

1. What are some characteristics of children?2. How does that apply to our spiritual life?3. Why is it important that we desire the

meat of God’s Word rather than the milk?4. What are some examples of the meatier

portions of God’s Word?Paul notes one characteristic of children—

they can be easily swayed from one feeling to another. Immature Christians are easily tossed around by incorrect teaching that sounds logical and feels good to the flesh but is instead de-monically inspired to separate from the truth of God’s Word.

The literal Greek terminology translated “people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth” refers to dice playing or sleight of hand. Think of a person using weighted dice to frame his throw so that the numbers show up to suite his purpose.

Satan uses the same tactics today, doesn’t he? You’ve heard these:

“There can’t be a literal hell because God is a good, loving God. It’s not His nature to send anyone to everlasting damnation.”

“God is love. He wants us to be happy and to love whomever we want. It’s a beauti-ful, Godly thing when two people of the same sex love each other.”

“Just be a good person, life a good life, and don’t do anything too bad and you will get to heaven.”

I’m sure you can think of others. All three of those statements sound logical, don’t they? They sound like the truth. Many people wish they were the truth, but they aren’t. They are clever lies from a devil who is throwing weighted dice. One responsibility of the five- fold ministry is to sort out lies like those from the truth and help us become mature, with our feet set solidly in God’s Word.

A Healthy, Growing Body

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit to-gether perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:15-16

Paul never strays far from the picture of God building a body, His body, the church, with Christ at the head. As we each submit in obedi-ence to the special work to which God assigns us, using the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us, we help each other grow.

Never forget this truth: God has a place for YOU in His body. No one can fill the unique posi-tion you have in the church. The church needs you! To the extent that you fail to operate within your calling, the entire body of Christ suffers.

We find two sides to the “speak the truth in love” coin. On one side, truth is never to be sac-rificed to so-called love. We must not fail to speak the truth because we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. Love drives us to speak out about the truth of God’s Word, righteousness, and basic morality. Oftentimes doing so will of-fend people.

But on the other side of the coin, truth must be spoken in love rather than judgement. There is only one Righteous Judge and only one Holy Spirit who calls men to repentance. We must use utmost wisdom and allow God to do His work when dealing with people personally.

Paul gives us some wonderful guidelines in his first letter to the Corinthians. In 1 Cor. 14:39 we’re told to be “eager to prophesy,” that is, to allow God to speak through us. In the same chapter, we’re told that “one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and com-forts them” (1 Cor. 14:3).

So, when you speak to others you must ques-tion your motive. Are you speaking the truth in love or in judgement? Will your words strengthen, encourage, or comfort? If not, it’s best to keep your mouth shut.

Closed Minds and Blinded Hearts

With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God

gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. Ephesians 4:17-19Paul implores us not to live as the unsaved of

this world do. They are hopelessly confused; they are wasting their lives on worthless objects and ideas that take the form of idolatry. Their understanding has been darkened, and they wander far from the design God intends for them. The unbeliever’s heart has been hard-ened, giving a picture of skin that has been hardened and can’t feel a soft touch.

He gives a picture of one who has a deliber-ate view to work uncleanness and indulge in ev-ery type of sin to which their flesh calls them. It’s quite a hopeless picture, isn’t it? But remem-ber Paul has already pointed out that we were all like that at one time. We come to salvation with varied backgrounds and experiences, but the bottom line is we were all sinners with no hope! Only the power of the Holy Spirit can call us to repentance and to accept God’s gift of grace.

Throw Off the Old and Put On the New

But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your for-mer way of life, which is corrupted by lust

and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly right-eous and holy. Ephesians 4:20-24

We must make a deliberate decision daily to throw off the old, sinful nature and put on the nature of Christ by letting the Holy Spirit renew our minds.

It’s like choosing to put on clean, fresh clothes every day. Romans 13:14 tells us, “clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ,” and Colossians 3:10 instructs us to “put on your new nature.” Putting on Christ doesn’t come naturally to us; our flesh rebels against the knowledge of God and His design for our lives. We must conquer that flesh. Paul him-self said that he disciplines his body daily like an athlete, training it to do what it should (1 Cor. 9:27).

In view of all this, Paul tells us there are

Four Practices to STOP Doing!1. Stop Telling Lies

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neigh-bors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

Ephesians 4:25

Really, it’s a simple commandment. Why do some of us find it so hard to do? Tell the truth.

That’s all. Let no hint of untruth come from you, no deception, no dishonesty, no cheating of any sort. Paul reminds us that not only are we an ex-ample to the world of how Christ would act, we are all parts of the same body. We can’t lie to another member of our body without injuring ourselves.

2. Stop Letting Anger Control You And don’t sin by letting anger control you.

Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry. For anger gives a foothold to the devil. Eph. 4:26-27

Notice we’re not told to stop being angry. There are some things we should be angry about. Jesus himself gave the example of good anger when he threw the moneychangers out of the temple, when he became angry at the self-righteous religious leaders, and when he be-came angry at Satan for what he was doing to people.

But many of us get angry at the wrong things, and it usually involves other people. Re-member, love isn’t irritable, and it isn’t easily offended (1 Cor. 13:5). If someone angers you, give it to God before you go to bed that night. Make peace in your heart, and with them if you must. The Book of Proverbs is full of warnings about what uncontrolled anger will do to you. For the sake of space, I won’t quote them here. You can find three warnings in Proverbs 15:18; 16:32; and 19:11.

3. Stop Stealing

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Ephesians 4:28

It seems like another simple commandment, doesn’t it? If you’re stealing, stop! And use your time instead for honorable work. Very few of you reading this book would think of burglarizing your neighbor’s house. What about shoplifting at your local WalMart? Even a small item? WalMart can afford it, can’t they? What if no one is look-ing?

What about over-reporting your expense ac-count to the IRS? Or taking home an item from work? Or having a coworker clock you out so you can take the afternoon off? How about being lazy and not giving a hard day’s work for your pay? Isn’t that stealing from your employer?

God’s Word is clear: stop stealing! The Bible is clear that if we are to clothe ourselves with Christ we are to be careful to abstain from all appearance of evil, including being deceitful or dishonest in even the small things.

4. Stop Using Foul and Abusive Speech Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let

everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29

Oh, if we could only tame our tongues! James 3:2 echoes Paul’s words:

Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

I’m deeply troubled by the vulgar and crude language heard today in the world of entertain-ment. Even more troubling is to hear the same kind of language from the mouths of people who call on the name of Christ. Jesus warned that we will be called into account for every idle word we speak (Matthew 12:36). Brothers and sisters, it’s time to control our tongues.

Equally disturbing are words that belittle, in-sult, or tear down others and words of gossip or slander. Check your tongue right now: is every word you speak good and helpful? Are your words an encouragement to those that hear them? James affirms that we all make mistakes. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you control your tongue, speaking words that are pleasing to Christ so that we can “walk worthy of our call-ing.”

Your words are authoritative. The most pow-erful use of your tongue is to speak God’s Word. Use your words to declare what God has already spoken about you, others around you, and the atmosphere around you wherever you go. Be a

part of bringing the heavenly kingdom to earth by what you say.

You Belong to the Holy Spirit

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:30

We sorrow the Holy Spirit by inconsistencies in the way we talk and live. Think of that! The very presence of God lives inside us—our coun-selor, our guide, our friend. We wouldn’t offend or grieve our best friend, would we? Then why grieve the Spirit of God?

This friend has identified you. He has named you and called you his own. He has sealed you with a promise and is guaranteeing that you will be saved. You belong to him. Be careful! Don’t sadden him.

More Stuff to Stop Doing

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Ephesians 4:31

And Replace With

Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

Notice that bitterness is opposite of kindness. Rage is out-of-control anger for a time, while anger is lasting resentment opposed to forgive-ness. Paul exhorts us to forgive one another, just as God has forgiven us. In fact, in his model prayer Jesus declared that our Heavenly Father can’t forgive us if we can’t forgive others. Now, those are some sobering words!

Several people have said to me, “But Brother Mike, I try to forgive. I’ve declared that I forgive them. And I really do want to forgive, but I can’t seem to forget what they said or did to me. How can I be sure I’ve forgiven them from my heart?”

Nowhere are we told that we must forget how a person wronged us. In fact, I think it’s wise that we do remember in many cases so that we can protect ourselves from being hurt again.

Then how do we know we’ve forgiven from our heart? Pray for them. Intercede for them, ask God daily to bless them. Ask God to increase their finances, their ministries, and their peace. Declare peace over them and their homes. You will find that your attitude toward those who have hurt you will begin to change as you pray for them. God will begin to let you see their hearts as He sees them. You will begin to sense the love God has for them. There’s a good rea-

son Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies: it sets us free!

What Do You Think?

Talk about stepping on our toes! Whew! Paul makes it quite clear the behaviors that grieve the Holy Spirit and keep us from the abundance of righteous living. Now it’s time for some reflec-tion. Did any of these verses convict you of some actions or habits you need to clean up in your life?

1. Have you been guilty of deceit, even “little white lies?” Have you intentionally misled someone without telling a bold-faced lie?

2. What about stealing? Is your walk before man totally honest, even when no one is looking?

3. Are you in the habit of losing control of your anger? Do little offenses disturb you?

4. Is your tongue out of control? Do your words hurt or heal? Do you gossip, possi-bly sharing a tidbit about a brother or sis-ter with another “because I want you to pray?”

5. Is there unforgiveness lurking in your heart?

6. What has the Holy Spirit convicted you about as you read these passages?

Chapter 5Living in the Light

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.

Ephesians 5:1

How can we imitate God, whom we can’t see? It seems impossible, doesn’t it? In his gospel, John explains that although no one has ever seen God, He revealed himself to us through Christ (John 1:18). If you want to see God, look at Christ.

Jesus himself said,

I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

John 5:19

How would God deal with a woman caught in adultery? Look at what Jesus did. How does God view sickness in the world? Look at how Jesus responded to sickness, disease, and demonic possession around him. How will God deal with arrogant religious people who deny His love? Look at how Jesus treated them. Christ is our supreme example. He spoke only what the Fa-

ther spoke and did only what the Father told him to do.

As a young boy, I wanted to imitate my dad. I worked beside him in carpentry and farming. I watched him closely. I imitated how he swung a hammer, how he drove a tractor in the hayfield, even how he tied his shoes. I spent time with him, and I knew how he would act in any situa-tion.

We can only imitate a person we know. The more we know them, the better we can imitate them. How can you imitate someone who you talk to occasionally? Imitate God in everything you do by getting to know Him. You would sacri-fice time to spend time with a good friend, wouldn’t you? Then decide to sacrifice the nec-essary time to spend with your Heavenly Father so you can fully imitate Him. Talk to Him, read His Word, and listen to Him talk to you in quiet hours.

The Positive: Be a Pleasing Aroma to God

Live a life filled with love, following the ex-ample of Christ. He loved us and offered him-self as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Ephesians 5:2

While the Old Testament is filled with exam-ples of burnt offerings emitting pleasing aromas to God, the ultimate sacrifice was Christ. He was

obedient to his Father, even to the point of offer-ing himself on the cross because of his love for us. Now we are told to follow his example of obedience and love.

2 Corinthians 2:15 tells us, “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.” Paul ex-presses his thanks to the Christians at Philippi for their love offerings by saying the gifts they sent “are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is ac-ceptable and pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).

The Negative: Abstain from Evil

Let there be no sexual immorality, impu-rity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world. Ephesians 5:3-5

God isn’t a mean old man in heaven spoiling your fun. He has a design for your life that in-cludes abundance in every respect. Sexual im-morality, impurity, and coarse language are not part of His design for you. Staying within the boundaries He sets releases His grace upon your life.

This passage gives us the impression that there should not be even a hint of immorality or impurity. No lustful thoughts or actions, no pornography, no greed, and no suggestion of crude language or jokes. Ephesus was famed for its refined jesting, coarse implications, and lewd art displays. As Paul instructs us, these sins have no place among the people of God.

Did you notice that Paul includes greed among the list of sins? Greed violates God’s de-sign for your life, also. Wanting something that isn’t yours is a form of idolatry.Walking in the Light

Don’t be fooled by those who try to ex-cuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So, live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Ephesians 5:6-9

We Christians, as objects of God’s love, are inconsistent if we partner with those who are the object of God’s wrath, those who are not part of “the Kingdom of Christ and God.” The reason we should not partner with the world is that we are no longer part of the darkness in which we used to live. We’ve been rescued out of the darkness and now we too are lights.

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Ephesians

5:10

I separated this verse because I believe it is so powerful. We need to take some time dis-cussing it. The Greek word for “determine” liter-ally means “find out,” “discern,” or “put to the test.” How do we know what pleases the Lord? We dare not be frivolous about this matter. I want to highlight four practices that are crucial to us determining what pleases the Lord.

1. Accurate and continued study of God’s Word. The power of studying, meditating, and memorizing the Word of God cannot be overemphasized. Find a fellowship of believers where the Bible is taught accu-rately and regularly. Find sound teaching materials (such as this book!) that encour-age you to delve deeper in the Word, chew on the meat, and grow in your knowledge of what pleases the Lord.

2. Practice and experimental trial .Yes, we must practice this Christian walk, and sometimes fail, if we are to carefully determine what pleases God. His written Word guides us, but the Bible doesn’t give us clear instructions for every situation in our lives. We ask ourselves what Jesus would do, but he’s not here in person to help us. Then we realize why Jesus de-

clared it’s best for us if he leaves so he can send the Holy Spirit.The Holy Spirit is your comforter, encour-ager, and guide who lives within you. Only through practice can you discern the small, quiet voice of your life director. Sometimes you miss it, but you pick your-self up and learn to listen more clearly.

3. Submitting to correction .While we’re on the subject of making mis-takes, let’s consider godly discipline. He-brews 12:1-12 details how we should wel-come correction from God. A loving earthly father disciplines his child, so how much more should we expect our loving Heavenly Father to correct and guide us. Godly discipline takes many forms. The written Word itself can correct us. I’ve been spanked numerous times by the Word. The Holy Spirit also disciplines and steers us down the right path. And spiri-tual correction can come from loving, gra-cious, mature men and women of God who pastor us and watch out for our well-being. In any case, the mark of a mature Chris-tian is one who submits to correction and grows thereby.

4. Willing to change/grow in our personal life .Unfortunately, many people view any change in a negative light, especially when it means changing their way of thinking or acting. It hurts to grow, but the Lord commands us not to be baby Chris-

tians. We must be reflective, allowing the Holy Spirit to point out areas in our lives that need to be changed and allowing him to shape us as we grow in Christ.

Let the Light Expose Evil

Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness: instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil in-tentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes every-thing visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Ephesians 5:11-14

Have you noticed that you can’t turn on the dark? You turn on the light, and the light pushes the darkness out. Light is more powerful than darkness. That’s the idea Paul is trying to get across in this passage.

Jesus told us to “let your good deeds shine out for all to see” (Matthew 5:16). We don’t need to expose evil; the light within us will do a fine job of exposing darkness. We declare God’s Word over us and do our part to bring God’s Kingdom on this earth wherever we go. We trust the light within us to dispel darkness.

Interestingly, the saying Paul referenced here isn’t known to scholars. Several passages in Isa-

iah have the same general idea, but none that match the passage exactly. Most likely Paul was quoting an early Christian hymn or a saying that would have been well-known to his readers.

Be Careful How You Live

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Ephesians 5:15-17

Verse 15 is translated literally, “Look care-fully how you walk.” I’m an old farm boy. Maybe you’ve spent some time on a farm or ranch, also. I know what it’s like to look carefully where I walk as I stroll through a farm lot or corral. There’s a lot of stuff lying around that I don’t want to step in!

Paul gives us the same picture as we Chris-tians walk through life. There’s a lot of wicked stuff lying around, many traps waiting to en-snare us. We must be careful, looking where we step and making the most of every opportunity to understand God’s plan.

Living by the Spirit’s Power

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and

spiritual songs among yourselves, and mak-ing music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:18-20

Individuals yield their bodies to alcohol when they become drunk. They might do so for differ-ent reasons: maybe to get a buzz, or to forget problems, or because of a deep addiction. Paul exhorts us to instead yield our bodies to the Holy Spirit, who gives an unspeakable peace and joy.

When we are filled with the Spirit we sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and make music to the Lord. What are psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs?

The word psalm means “praise.” Psalms are typically poems that are set to music. The Book of Psalms is a large collection of songs written under the direction of the Holy Spirit by David and other Jewish leaders. While men and women can continue to write and sing psalms by the Spirit’s inspiration today, the Biblical psalms have a timeless quality about them and are as relevant to our lives as if they were written yes-terday. The psalms were no doubt sung by early Christians, just as we set many of them to music today and sing our praises to God.

Hymns are adoration to God, usually with stanzas and a chorus. They have been sung since Moses sang a hymn of deliverance recorded in Genesis 15. David received a “hymn

of praise” from God, recorded in Psalm 40:3. Je-sus and his disciples sang a hymn after the Last Supper, and Paul and Silas sang hymns in a Philippian jail.

Many hymns of the church today were writ-ten centuries ago by great pillars of the Chris-tian faith and are filled with rich doctrinal truth and a depth born from adversity. I appreciate modern praise and worship music, but I can’t help but feel that some of the wisdom and spiri-tual gravity of the old hymns are being lost.

The term “spiritual songs” can have a wider meaning. Most likely, Paul is referring to what the Scriptures elsewhere term a “new song.” From Psalms to Revelation, the Bible encour-ages us to “sing a new song to the Lord:” a song that you’ve never sung before, one that comes from the depth of the Holy Spirit anointing within you.

A new song is one that arises from the spirit of a person whose heart overflows with adora-tion for God. Paul’s instruction to the Ephesians about music is preceded by the command to “be filled with the Spirit” (5:18). When we are filled with the Spirit, then psalms, hymns, and spiri-tual songs are the natural expression of our hearts. A Spirit-filled person is a singing person. One clear indication that a person is filled with the Holy Spirit is a natural desire to sing and praise God. Musical ability has little to do with it. God created us to find great spiritual expression through music. Scripture is filled with music, and

God delights when we use what He created to worship Him.

In 1 Corinthians 14:15 Paul indicates he prays and sings in words that he doesn’t understand: “Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.”

Music finds its highest purpose when used as a tool to extoll the greatness of God. It can con-sole, encourage, teach, and even admonish those who are away from God. Music is a biblical way of expressing our worship of the Lord. Spiri-tual music gives voice to our joy and adoration unlike anything else. Whether a psalm or a hymn or a spiritual song, the purpose of music is to glorify God, and He wants us to use this gift as a means of worshiping Him.

What Do You Think?1. What are some spiritual sacrifices you

make that are “pleasing aromas” to God?2. What are times when you’ve submitted to

correction, either from God’s Word, from the voice of the Holy Spirit, or from ma-ture elders in the church?

3. When have you determined the will of God by failing?

4. You’re told to “look carefully how you walk.” What are some undesirable things lying on the ground that you have to step around?

5. What activities cause you to sense the in-filling of the Holy Spirit to the greatest de-gree? How can you make more time for them?

Spirit-Guided Relationships: Marriages

As Paul continues to give Spirit-guided practi-cal advice, he turns now to marriage, the most influential relationship on Earth. The theme throughout his teaching is that marriage is or-dained by God from the beginning of time and is an example of the relationship between Christ and the church. That’s quite a sobering thought, isn’t it?

Before he begins with real-world applications, Paul commands us in verse 21, “And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Although God establishes order in vari-ous earthly institutions, we must approach all our relationships without an attitude of submis-sion to others. That is, a true Christ-like attitude compels us to always consider the needs of oth-ers before our own.

The key in these passages that follow is found in verse 21: “out of reverence for Christ.” Our love for Christ compels us to submit to each other in a marriage relationship within the order God has established for the church.

For wives, this means submit to your hus-band as to the Lord. For a husband is the

head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

Ephesians 5:22-24Paul points out that God has established or-

der to alleviate chaos in institutions. Earthly in-stitutions—governments, corporations, schools, churches, and families—have a hierarchy of or-der. Even the Godhead has order: God the Fa-ther, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Son obeys the Father. The Holy Spirit glorifies the Son and moves in response to the Word. Yet they are all equal. They are all God.

The greatest security a woman can have is to be covered by a godly, praying, loving husband. It’s easy to submit to a man like that. God has placed a desire within every woman to be a wife and a mother, to operate in an order beneath a man of God. There’s security and safety for a woman in a healthy marriage.

Don’t we all want to work for a boss who has our backs? One who is honest and fair? One who plays by the rules, is reliable and not capricious? Authority and organization are God’s plan be-cause it provides protection and confidence.

To be submissive doesn’t mean to be subject to. Nor does it mean to be the proverbial door-mat. Paul has some stern commands for hus-bands in the verses following this passage. Godly husbands don’t demand loyalty, nor do they “lay down the law” and expect wives to

obey their every whim. I address the husband’s responsibilities in greater detail in the following verses.

Before we leave the subject of submissive wives, we must address the issue of unbelieving husbands or husbands who go by the name of Christ but act in a very un-Christlike manner.

Peter addressed this matter when he wrote:In the same way, you wives must accept

the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.

1 Peter 3:1-2

Time after time I’ve seen this pattern played out in the lives of couples. A woman comes to the Lord, but her husband refuses to believe. She doesn’t preach to him or beat him over the head with Scriptures. She doesn’t tell him how awful he is and what he needs to do to change. He already knows that. She’s probably already told him all that before she got saved!

No, she simply lives her life for Christ. She submits to him in every way she can. She’s sweet and loving. Her godly life speaks volumes with no words necessary. So often I’ve seen a man crying at the altar, repenting and receiving Jesus because of his wife’s lifestyle.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t always happen that way. Some husbands get meaner and some

leave. Wives, he isn’t your responsibility. Your responsibility is to obey God’s Word. I know it’s difficult. It’s an extreme trial, one that purifies your faith. But your submissive obedience to Christ works for you an exceedingly greater glory in heaven than any you will know on Earth.

Before we leave this topic, I must address the issue of abuse. I will say this as clearly as I pos-sibly can: in no way does this passage of Scrip-ture imply that a woman must submit to any sort of physical, mental, sexual, or emotional abuse for herself or her children.

I don’t care who your husband is. He may be a pastor, an elder in the church, a community leader, or a successful business man. Other peo-ple may think he’s wonderful, but they don’t know what happens at home. Ladies, you have a responsibility to yourself and especially to your children. Get professional help. Talk to someone you can trust. We are to bear one another’s bur-dens. Find someone who can help you make right choices. I pray earnestly for you who are in this situation.

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glori-ous church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.

In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body.

Ephesians 5:25-30Do you notice that Paul takes twice as much

space outlining God’s plan for Christian hus-bands as for wives? I’m convinced that more re-sponsibility rests on the shoulders of men to be godly husbands than for women to be godly wives. The explanation is simple: God’s plan for divine order in marriages follows the example of Christ’s relationship with us, his church. Families are in order when men are in order. Untold suf-fering is occurring in the world today because men aren’t stepping up and taking their rightful place as godly men in divine order.

Before discussing divine order in a family, let’s consider our relationship as a bride to our bridegroom Christ. In verses 25-27 Paul tells us that Christ cleansed us and made us holy and clean by washing us in his Word. We can now be a glorious church without spot or blemish, holy and without fault.

He cleansed us, but we must make ourselves ready. We watch, remembering the parable of the five foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). The foolish virgins weren’t prepared and therefore missed the bridegroom. We must watch and al-ways be prepared. We must make ourselves for

the coming of our bridegroom just as a young lady prepares herself to walk down the aisle to meet her bridegroom.

I’ll never forget the moment at my wedding when I heard the first chord of the bridal march. I turned and saw my bride Melodie. It was the first time I saw her that day. She was beautiful, she was radiant, she was gorgeous. And she was mine. She spent all day preparing for me. Her hair was perfect, her white dress was exquisite, her makeup flawless. Her smile was adorable.

I was so overcome with emotion that I almost broke down to cry. Melodie told me later that looking at my expression, she was afraid I was going to run! No, I was suddenly overcome with all the excitement and feeling of the moment. Our bridegroom is coming for us. Are you mak-ing yourself ready for him?

Paul tells us husbands to love our wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for her. The husband is to treat his wife with love just as Christ loved. Christ loved the church so much that He was willing to give up his own life and die for her. God expects us to treat our wives with that kind of love and honor.

Peter said it this way,

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with un-derstanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as

you should so your prayers will not be hin-dered. 1 Peter 3:7

 Not only are our wives to be treated as equal, they are to be in a place of honor. When we think of our honor to God, we understand it as putting Him above all things and not doing anything to disappoint Him. In a similar way, husbands are to love and honor their wives in high regard. We honor God by putting Him in a place of respect and allegiance. Husbands honor wives by placing them higher above anyone in our lives besides God. 

To give our lives for our wives means more than dying a physical death for her if necessary. Almost all men would take a bullet for their wives. That’s the easy part because that’s how God made us. We’re the protectors. It’s more difficult to die to oneself every day for our wife. 

It means a death to lust or desires for other women. A husband who looks at other women is dishonoring his wife and that is not the type of love that Christ has for the church. Husbands are also to die to slanders against his wife. Words are as equally damaging to a relationship as physical abuse. Speaking directly to the wife or to others in slander or bad temperament against the wife is not of Christ or His will for the marriage.

Husbands are to die to treating the wife as an inconvenience in the relationship. Christ loves the church and goes out of His way to show us that He wants the very best for us. The wife is

not an inconvenience in the relationship; she is the purpose for the relationship. Outside of our Heavenly Father, a husband’s wife is the reason he exists, and life revolves around her as they both place God above everything.

A godly husband tenderly cares for his wife and places her needs above his. He listens to her and treats her with honor. He is patient with her just as Jesus is patient with us. A godly hus-band is nurturing and continually speaks a blessing over her.

The passage from Peter quoted above tells us men that our prayers will be hindered if we don’t treat our wives with honor. I remember the ex-act moment that God disciplined me with that Scripture. I was stunned when I read it. You mean that my prayers won’t be answered if I don’t treat my wife properly? That’s what it says. Well, I certainly want my prayers an-swered, so I better shape up! That is how impor-tant God views my relationship with my wife. typing