Ephesians 4-6
Holy and Blameless Part 2
In Chapters 1-3 we have read of God’s plan for His children to be holy and Bblameless. He had made the way that we can become holy and blameless and in this section we read our job is to respond according to His plan. The result of that response is that we are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
So now, in Chapters 4-6, we read how we are to respond as God’s children based on what God has done for us.
It is clear from Chapter 4, verses 1 through 6, that we are to be united. We are to no longer rely on ourselves; rather we are to rely on the Spirit. It is true, however, that we will have different tasks to do based on the gifting of the Holy Spirit. In verses 4-6 we read that the Holy Spirit is one of 6 factors that unite the Church. We, the Church, all share a basic commonality with each other based on these.
As new believers we find there are some things we will need to change, the first being our mind. We are to be renewed in the spirit of our mind. This means we need to learn God’s ways and put them into practice. This also means we will find that there are things we need to quit doing because they are not pleasing to our Father in Heaven.
Chapter 5 tells us we are to be imitators of God. Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jesus represented God’s nature to the world. We are to do the same if we are to call ourselves Christians. In this chapter Paul warns that we have an enemy that will attempt to deceive us. We must be careful how we live our lives. When we get casual in our conduct we may well be allowing the devil an opportunity to trip us up in front of others and in our relationships. When those times of trial come, and they will come, Paul reminds us that we can find the strength to stand with the armor God has given us. 6:10-18.
He also makes it clear we are to support and encourage one another.
This is just a quick overview. What is important is that we need to take the time and read these chapters and put what we read into practice. As Christians, this world and its thinking is no longer our home or our god. We need to separate ourselves from its ways. When Jerusalem was surrounded by Nebuchadnezzar and no one could get in or out of the city, the people thought they were doomed so they embraced the attitude of “let’s eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” That is pretty hopeless thinking. We have the hope of Heaven and eternal life now. We have much more to live for as Christians.
In Chapter 1 Paul tells us that we have spiritual blessings in the heavenly places. What are those blessings? Well, just to name a few, we have value in God’s eyes. You and I are loved by God. God has also given our lives meaning and purpose. He has given us hope and security. It is also clear that we were created and our creator knows and understands our core needs. That is apparent in these blessings. He wants us to be with Him and has made that possible. 2:6
When we realize all that God has done for us how could we not respond to such a great love?
We are blessed!
Pastor Dave