Ephesians: A Worthy Walk
For the next month, we will be studying the Book of Ephesians, a letter Paul wrote while he was in jail in Rome, awaiting his first trial. Ephesus was one of his best churches, and he spent a lot of time there on his missionary journeys. The church likely planted the other churches of Asia Minor that Jesus referenced in Revelation 2-3.
Ephesians is easily outlined. Chapters 1-3 speak of the great salvation we have in Christ, which comes by grace through faith alone. Then, 4:1 is the turning point, where Paul admonishes them to "walk worthy of the calling you have received." We cannot be worthy of Christ's salvation - it is a gift of grace. But having received it, we can then, by the Spirit's power, WALK worthy. Chapters 4-6 describe the worthy walk. This is a favorite template of Paul. He develops a doctrine then applies it practically.
As often as time allows, the reader is encouraged to read the entire book - it will not take more than a few minutes. Each day we will work our way through the book passage by passage.
Today's Reading: Ephesians 1-6
Read the whole book today
Through the Bible Readings: Isaiah11-12, 1 Corinthians 3, Psalm 103:10–16, Proverbs 21:24–25
If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.
Devotional:
Today's devotional is more of an assignment - don't you hate that? I'm supposed to do all the work and you just read what I think, right? We are going to do things differently today. I would like you to play pretend for a few minutes.
Read the entire six chapters of Ephesians as if you were person in that church hearing the letter from Paul read for the first time. If you have time, read it twice, or three times. If you are by yourself, read it outloud - it won't take more than about 10 or 12 minutes to do so.
Consider these questions: What is the book all about?
Why did Paul write the book?
Were there specific issues or problems he might have been addressing?
Today is your day to get yourself grounded in the book and then tomorrow, we will dig into chapter 1.
At the risk of giving you too much information, Ephesians follows a typical pattern in Paul's writings. The first 3 chapters are doctrinal - they describe the great salvation we have received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and all that this means in our lives. Ephesians 4:1 is the turning point of the book. It urges us to "walk worthy of the calling we have received." We can never BE worthy of salvation by grace but having been saved, we can walk worthy. Chapters 4-6 describe the life that we have been saved are meant to live as we walk in the Spirit. Romans follows this same structure. Chapters 1-11 lay out key doctrines concerning the righteousness that comes by faith, the verse 1 of chapter 12 tells us because of that mercy we should give our bodies to God as living sacrifices. The rest of the book is practical - how the righteous live.
Throughout September, we will be reading and studying Ephesians. Get a notebook of some sort and study the book with us. Keep notes.
May the Spirit of God open your mind to the truths of this great epistle.
Think and Pray:
Take time to read this book once, twice, or more. Why did Paul write it? What issues in Ephesu was he addressing?
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