Yesterday, I read through Ephesians in one sitting during my class, this time using the New International Version. The following are the passages that caught my attention this time around.
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1:4,11-14
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight... In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
We were chosen to be holy and blameless. That is the purpose, the goal.
2:4-5
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
Saved because of love...
2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
...and saved by grace alone. We are God's workmanship. I like that word.
2:13,18
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ... For through him we both [Jews and Gentiles] have access to the Father by one Spirit.
By the Spirit of Christ are we drawn near.
3:12
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
We can now come before God because Jesus made a way. It's like what the author of Hebrews wrote; "Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, as our prayers draw us near."
3:14-19
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
What a prayer!
4:1-3
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
This reminds me of what Tom Hanks's character said to Ryan in the movie Saving Private Ryan; "Earn this." The captain died to save a private, and his dying words were an exhortation, that Ryan would live a life worthy of the great sacrifice made by others to save him.
4:14-15
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
4:22-24
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Together, these three passages are a call to grow up and mature in Christ. To put on the new self of holiness. Perhaps, if God's Spirit is the new wine, we are like wineskins; unless we change too, our old selves will not be able to contain the new wine. Instead, we would burst because our old skins are incompatible with the Spirit.
4:32-5:2
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
To be imitators of God; precisely what the disciples and followers of Jesus are to be. What else does an apprentice do, but learn to walk in the ways of the Master?
5:3-5
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Not even a hint. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
5:8-10
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
Reminds me of this passage:
John 3:19-21
[Jesus said,] "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
5:31
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.
There is probably a conspiracy afoot, as this verse is actually quoted from Genesis 2:24. 531 and 224... conspiracy indeed! (OK, just in case you're wondering, it's actually an inside joke, so don't crack your head trying to understand the significance of the numbers.)
6:5-9
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
Referring to the NIV study note, I realise that indeed, the Gospel is not an escape route from the realities of the day, but a way of life characterised by the active working of the Spirit of God day by day. It's like what John the Baptist said to the soldiers: be content with your wages, etc. He did not tell them to quit service in the Roman army, though the Romans were the enemies of the Jews.
As Brian McLaren wrote in A New Kind of Christian, God does not free us from our contexts, but he does redeem us from sin within the context of our lives.
6:17-18
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Our battle against the spirits of darkness can only be won by the Spirit of Light. I wonder if little children know that the song, 'Read your Bible, pray everyday' is really a powerful call to arms that sends echoes of fear into the depths of hell...
6:24
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
These are the last words. And as I read them, I wondered if I truly love Jesus with an undying love. Can we possibly love Him like that?
C.S. Lewis described one aspect of our love for God as need-love, which is a love characterised by our needs, much like children who express their love for their parents when they go to them for food and comfort.
How much do we love Jesus?
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It occurred to me a while ago, that the Bible is really alive and cool. Yup... I can't seem to think of another word to describe what I'm thinking of at the moment. Cool.
And this second reading of Ephesians has left me with a phrase, which also serves as a reminder that I need to get back on track with Akouo.
The phrase is: "The Imitation of Christ".
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