Ephesians: A Worthy Walk
Background: 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 for 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 Focus Passage - Ephesians 2:18-22
18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.
Through the Bible Readings: Isaiah29-30, 1 Corinthians 11:17–34, Psalm 105:16–22, Proverbs 22:15–16
If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.
Devotional: Building Christ's Church
In yesterday's passage, we saw the purpose of God to knock down the human walls of separation - especially racial walls - to build One Worshiping People from every tribe and language on earth. This is all a natural outflow of Christ's redemptive work, which is not just about saving souls from hell, but building ONE church, ONE Body united in loving and serving him. In today's passage, Paul expands on that concept.
Through Christ, sinners such as us have access to the Father. Stop and consider that, friends. We have access to the heavenly Father. We can speak to him in prayer and have a relationship with God. In the church, there are no strangers, no aliens, no refugees. No one is excluded on the basis of any human factor - all are welcome at the foot of the Cross.
Today's passage, verses 18-22, pictures the church as a building.
It is a building built by Jesus Christ and the only requirement for inclusion in the building is our common experience of the Blood of Christ. He is the cornerstone. Skin color means (or ought to mean) nothing. Social status or wealth means nothing. Worldly power, influence, or fame mean nothing. Only the common experience of Christ. Any church that is united around anything but the Blood of Christ is failing in its mission. Any church that excludes people based on any human factor other than the experience of the Blood of Christ is in sin. The church is built on Christ
It is a building founded on the Apostles and prophets. This means many things, but it was the Apostles and Prophets who gave us God's word and the Church is founded on the truth that they established, guided by the Holy Spirit as Jesus predicted.
There is one master-builder, God himself, who constructs everything by his grace and power, according to his plan. The church is not constructed by our programs and strategies, by our creativity and wisdom, but by the wisdom and strength of God.
When God builds his church, with Jesus as the cornerstone, the teachings of the Apostles and prophets as the foundation, the presence of God is on display and the power of God is revealed.
Father, do your work of power and grace among us. Demonstrate your glory, your work, your power, as you build our church.
Think and Pray:
Do you include others in your life and fellowship based on human factors other than the common experience of the Blood of Christ?
Is Christ at work building you and your church or are you relying on human power to do so?
Is Christ at work building you and your church or are you relying on human power to do so?
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