1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 – Marks of genuine believers

In these five verses, Paul showed us several features about the Thessalonians. He referred to them as a church. The term “church” for this community of people in Thessalonica simply means, “an assembly of people called out from the world into a relationship with God.” The church therefore is made up of people called out of the world into God’s marvelous family. Paul addressed them as the church “… in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ ….” This suggests that the source of life of this community is God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This also suggests to us that the church is a community that has God as the Father and Jesus as the Lord.

Secondly, we are told that the church in Thessalonica was characterized by three vital ingredients: faith, hope and love (v.3). Paul gave thanks for the church in Thessalonica and prayed for the Thessalonians, as he remembered these three features that they demonstrated constantly. They showed “… work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope ….” Faith is essentially directed toward God, love toward others and hope toward the future, especially the Second Coming of Christ. Faith is not passive belief. It always produces good works. That’s why Paul called it the work of faith. Similarly, love is not just mere sentimentality. It always results in the willingness to labor for others. Like faith and love, hope is also active. It always generates anticipation in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. This will help to develop patience, and a strong and fortified mind, in the face of opposition.

Thirdly, the Thessalonians were people loved and chosen by God (v.4). The apostle called them “… beloved by God,” meaning that God loved them. We who are called into fellowship with God through His Son, the Lord Jesus, are also the beloved of God. Paul also called them God’s chosen. They were chosen because they made a positive response to the Gospel. Besides, their active lifestyles of faith, love and hope, proved conclusively that they were God’s chosen.

Like them, we believers are also called, loved and chosen of God. And He expects us to show works of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope as well. He had called us into the Kingdom not just to enjoy His blessings but to share them. He has called us into relationship with Christ, so that He can change and horn us, and make us instruments that will effectively reflect faith, love and hope. So let’s shine for Him!     

1 Thessalonians 1:1 – Introduction, background and authorship

The founder of Thessalonica was Cassander, an officer of Alexander the Great. In 316 BC, he named it in memory of his wife, Thessalonike, who was the half-sister of Alexander the Great. This city was located on the major highway that connected Rome to the East, and was the capital city of Macedonia.

Acts 17 tells us that Paul came to Thessalonica after he left Philippi during his second missionary journey. In Acts 17:1 we read of the presence of a synagogue, indicating that there was a number of Jews residing there at that time. It was here in the synagogue that Paul preached for three Sabbaths, and as a result, some Jews and a large number of Gentiles accepted his message. From these facts, we conclude that Paul had a successful mission and founded the church there (Acts17:4).

However, he was forced to leave the city after some Jews incited violence and attacked the house of Jason, where Paul was staying (Acts 17:5). Together with some believers, Jason was hauled to the magistrate. Since there was so much hostility, Paul was compelled to leave that city (Acts 17:9-10). He went to Berea where he again met with Jewish opposition and was also forced to leave that place (Acts 17:13-14). He then went to Athens, where he sent Timothy to check on the situation in Thessalonica. From Athens, he went to Corinth and when Timothy returned and reported to him in Corinth, he was prompted to write this Epistle to the Thessalonians.

Timothy’s reports to Paul precipitated the writing of this epistle. In the first two chapters, he wrote first to express to the Thessalonians his delight in their genuine conversion and progress in the Lord. While expressing his satisfaction, he also wrote to refute the charges brought against him by his Jewish opponents. In the third chapter, he began to encourage them to keep on progressing in their spiritual encounter before dealing with some eschatological misconceptions in the last two chapters.

Right in the very first verse, Paul identified himself as the author. The historical facts recorded in Acts 17 bear testimony that he was indeed the author of this epistle. He also mentioned his two traveling companions, Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy. Notice that unlike the other epistles, he did not assert his apostleship. There are two possible reasons for that. Firstly, he refused to distinguish himself from his two companions. And secondly, his apostleship was not in question here. By and large, he was well accepted by the believers in Thessalonica.

One thing about Paul in all his writings was his passion for the people. The reason he wrote was because he loved to see them inspired and be zealous for the Lord. He laid an example for us in his self-giving to the Lord. Like Paul, let us give more of ourselves to the Lord in the work of the Gospel.

Ephesians 6:21-24 – Closing blessings

As Paul came to the conclusion of his letter to the Ephesians, he was concerned that they would be discouraged with what he was going through, so he wanted to encourage them. To keep them updated about what he was going through, he told them that he was sending Tychicus to them. He was someone whom the Ephesians knew, and was a dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord and one of Paul’s closest associates. In other letters, such as Colossians 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12, the apostle had mentioned him. The next best thing, apart from a personal visit from Paul, would be the visit of Tychicus, who knew everything that the apostle had gone through. He would be a good information source for the Ephesians.

In verses 23-24, Paul then concluded with his usual benediction. He sent them peace and grace. This tells us his desire for the believers in Ephesus, was that they will know and experience peace. This can only come as a result of a mended relationship with God and with each other. And together with peace, he wished that they would experience love and faith, of which the source is God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Unlike prayer, a benediction is a prophetic declaration over the people of God. Some Christians will leave a service before the benediction and thus miss out the prophetic declaration the minister would pronounce over worshippers. Here Paul was not about to allow the Ephesians to miss out on these blessings of God. As God’s ambassador, he pronounced the grace of God and the undying love of the Lord Jesus upon them.

The next time we are in a worship service, don’t be in a hurry to rush off. Stay till the declaration of the abiding peace, love, faith and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is declared over us. We shall be led forth with peace to experience the rich grace of the Lord. Amen!

    

Ephesians 6:18-20 – Praying for each other

We all can neglect prayers to our own disadvantage. It’s often because we are too prideful to request for prayers, for fear that we may be seen as weak. But not so with Paul, the great apostle. He knew that other believers’ support in prayer would help him to advance and to be effective in service. In requesting for prayer, he showed his dependence on the Lord and fellow believers in the service he was rendering to the Lord. He was also showing us that any Christian ministry is a collaboration between the Lord and his worker. It came as no surprise then that he should tell the Ephesians to pray.

In verse 18, he tells us when we are to pray, what we are to pray about and for whom we should pray for.  We are to pray all the time for all things and for all the saints. Paul also requested them to pray for him. He made two specific appeals: firstly, that he would have the right words to speak when he shared the Gospel, and that he would have the courage to do so.

While he might be a prisoner in chains, his desire was to boldly preach the mystery of the Gospel. His goal was for everyone to know that in Christ, now both Gentile and Jews can have access to God. He might be in chains, but he never forgot that he was Christ’s ambassador and he was bent on seizing every moment to speak for Him.       

Christian fellowship is at its best when we pray for one other. We should learn not to be critical of others for how they conduct themselves, but should instead pray for each other. We pray for each other to find our strength to serve God. As we pray God will empower and grant boldness to us to face all obstacles and all opponents. So let us pray!

Ephesians 6:13-17 – Put on God’s armor and resist the devil’s advance

In the previous three verses, Paul had described the enemies with whom Christians are engaged in a spiritual conflict. The enemies are not people we relate with in our homes or the church. The enemies we have to encounter are the devil and his cohorts. Having identified the real enemies, Paul’s call is for believers to resist evil in this wicked generation. But of course not without our protective armor. God had provided the armor so that we will be protected. We are to put on the armor. And after we have put it on, we are not to cower from the fight. Instead we are to stand firmly and resist the onslaught of the evil forces.  

Verses 14-17 describe the different pieces of armor we have in order to resist the enemies’ advances. Let us look at each piece of the armor:

·         The belt of truth refers to personal integrity. Like the belt, truth will hold the other pieces of armor securely in place.  

·   The breast plate of righteousness suggests that believers must be just and upright. Righteousness is one of God’s characters and we must seek to live a righteous life.  

·      The shoe of the Gospel of peace is a call to be ready to advance with the message of peace. To effectively share this message, we His messengers, must first experience His peace. We refuse to battle against fresh and blood (humans), and be embroiled in needless bitter fight.

·       The shield of faith is to quench the fiery darts of the evil one. Trusting God and His Word are very essential to douse any doubt that the devil would hurl at us. When we have absolute faith in God, no circumstance, no matter how great, can get us down.

·       The helmet of salvation speaks of a certainty of our salvation. We need to be certain that our salvation is secured so that we will not vacillate in our belief.

·    The sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. This is the only piece of offensive weapon in the armor. In Hebrews 4:12, the Word of God is also referred to as a sharp two-edged sword. This is the piece in our weapon that can cut off the false argument of the devil. Jesus used this in His temptation and effectively thwarted the enemy’s advance. We need to know the Word to effective use it to nullify the enemy’s threat.           

When we are ready and prepared we can resist the advance of the devil effectively. At our disposal to frustrate the work of darkness are the different pieces of God’s armor: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and the Word of God. We resist the devil and his lies with truth, honesty and integrity. We also resist his work when we choose to walk righteously and seeking peaceful relationship with others. Besides we can continue to build an unwavering faith in God that will enable us to douse all the devil’s fiery doubts. We also refuse to entertain doubt regarding our status as God’s children and question our salvation. Most of all we must be thoroughly acquainted with the Word of God, for when we are fully equipped with His Word, we will not be tossed to and fro by every doctrine and deceitful scheme of the devil. So let’s stand firm and resist in these evil days!

Ephesians 6:10-12 – Be ready for the spiritual battle

The fact that the enemy of our soul is invisible plus our desire for serenity, has in some ways made us oblivious to the spiritual conflict we are in. Christian living is a spiritual battle. In fact it is a spiritual war. It’s not just a casual struggle but a fierce conflict. The comforting thought about this spiritual war is that we have the Lord, on and by our side in this battle, and that He had made all the provision for us to win this war. But knowing all these only form one part of winning the battle, we need to apply them if we are to win the battle. There are a few things that Paul said here that we must take note, as he shows us how we can stay on top of the battle.

Paul began by calling us to stay connected to the Lord and Commander-in-Chief, and be strong in Him and the power of His might. Then we also need to put on the armor of God, the battle outfit which the Lord had provided. In other words, we must rely on the Lord and be empowered by Him. This is a call to be prepared for the battle. Paul provided the reasons why we need to stay connected and dressed with the Lord’s armor. Firstly, it’s because He has the arsenal that no force can overpower. Secondly, we are fighting in the spiritual realm and it’s in an arena that our naked eyes cannot see. Thirdly, the enemy we are battling against is a spiritual enemy, whose organization is well-structured. Paul calls them rulers, authorities and powers of the dark world. Fourthly, this enemy has many schemes. So we need to be ready for battle.

These verses are also a call to be sure that we are engaging the right enemy. Prior to Paul’s narration of the spiritual conflict, he discussed about relationships within the fellowship, church and homes. He had talked about peace, about obedience and submission, and he had talked about love and the example set by Christ. Hence, this warning to be alert to the enemy’s schemes is needful and logical, to ensure that Christians are not battling against the wrong enemy. It’s obvious that if we are fighting the wrong enemy we lose our focus and dissipate our energy against each other. We need to be mindful that we have a more strategic battle at hand. We need to remember that we are battling the devil, the evil one and his cohorts and allies. At home or in church, when we dissipate our energy, demanding our rights over petty issues and fighting with our loved ones and co-workers, we have the tendencies to forget who our real enemies are.  And when we are at enmity with each other, we won’t have each other to complete the fence, to ward off the guile and wiles of the evil one.

Let’s remember the enemy is a roaring lion, seeking to devour! Let’s know that we can unwittingly be used as his instrument to weaken the fence in the fellowship or the family. We need to stay alert, be armed with the right attitude for the battle! A Chinese proverbs said, “Know your enemy, know yourself, thousand battles, thousand victories.” More accurately, we should say, “Know our Lord, know who we are in Him, rely on Him and His empowerment, identify our real enemy, engage the right battle, thousand battles, thousand victories!”              

Ephesians 6:5-9 – Walking in divine order (3) – Slaves and masters

Remember that in the days of Paul, owning slaves was a common practice but not so in this modern era. So how would these verses be relevant to us? We can see this from the viewpoint of employers and employees. In many homes today we do employ domestic helpers. So this portion of Scriptures is relevant in that sense of an employer, and his or her domestic helper. These verses can also be applied in the context of relationships between employers and employees or superiors and subordinates in working environments.

Paul began with how servants, and in our case employees, must act. Employees are to obey their masters or employers. This obedience must be given even if the recipient is a non-believer and uncultured in their manners. Obeying becomes effortless when one holds the principle that obeying employer is in essence really serving and obeying Christ. How so? It’s because He has commanded us to obey our masters or employers.  

How should obedience be given? Obedience must be given joyfully not grudgingly. Here we see a series of attitude to help to measure the services we, as employees, must offer to our employers. Firstly, we must serve with fear and trembling. Of course Paul was not talking about slavish fear but an assiduous care in our duty. Secondly, we must serve sincerely, honestly and single-heartedly.  Thirdly, we must also serve diligently, not only when our employers are around, but also when they are not. It is said that the mark of a mature man is not what one does when everyone is looking, but what one does when no one else is looking. We are not men-pleasers but Christ-pleasers. Fourthly, we must serve heartily, doing the will of the Father from the heart. Finally we serve with a magnificent spirit and will. We have the best intention for our employers. In verse 8 we are told that God is the One Who will ultimately reward all of us for the services we offer. And He is not one who will short-change us. This He will do regardless of whether our earthly employers will reward us well or not. God will make it up to us when our duties are given joyfully, diligently and carefully.  

In verse 9 Paul counsels employers on how to treat employees. The same instructions he gave to employees, he now tells the employers to do likewise. Employers must be well disposed towards their employees and have their welfare at heart. They must not use threat to elicit obedience and services. In fact, they must use good reasons and kindness to motivate and encourage their employees to work. Christian employers must remember that they have a Master in heaven. Without partiality, our Master in heaven will ultimately call all who mistreat their employees for a time of accounting.    

How employers and employees, or superiors and subordinates, relate to each other will determine the quality of service. It will definitely affect the effectiveness in a home or an organization. It behooves us as Christian employees or employers to follow this counsel. Let’s remember that how we act as an employee or an employer, we bear witness for the Lord.  

Ephesians 6:1-4 – Walking in divine order (2) – Parents and Children

Having dealt with the roles of husbands and wives, Paul now turned his attention to discuss the proper relationship between children and parents in Ephesian 6:1-4. This admonition given here is so necessary in our fast paced society. We are all so susceptible to the influence of media, and by modern technologies and gadgets that have altered our perception and outlook on life. They have not only affected the conduct of adults but also children. Hence, this is a timely reminder.  

Paul began by commanding that Christian children should obey their parents. We must be mindful that this command includes obedience to unbelieving parents. If we are parents, let’s not put our children into confusion by giving conflicting instruction. Parents should seek to be united and congruent in their instructions.

The question that baffles most children is, “To what limit must I obey my parents?” In Colossians 3:20, Paul called on children to obey parents in all things. The proviso would be only when the obedience would contradict our obedience to Christ.  

In these four verses, Paul also provided the reasons for why children should be obedient. Firstly, he said it’s because God designed it this way. This is His will and is pleasing to Him. Obeying parents is as good as obeying the Lord. Secondly, being obedient is the right thing. It should be the norm of daily living. Thirdly, obedience also affirms the fifth commandment that declares children should honor their fathers and mothers. Finally, it’s because obedience has a reward attached to it. It promises the blessing of a long life here on earth.

In verse 4, Paul addressed the fathers, the head of the home. Fathers must train and nurture their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Training and nurturing is more than teachings. Fathers must not only talk but also lead by setting examples to their children. In this verse there is also a command that is put in the negative way. That is, fathers must not provoke their children to anger. Fathers must not exasperate their children by unjust and overly harsh treatment. For this will lead to anger and made obedience impossible.  

All of us are children first before we become parents. In this regard, this commandment would apply to us. Whether we are parents or not, we know that all of us are children to our parents. The call is to honor them. The best way to do it is to obey them when we are young, to support them when they are old and to love them all the time. For many of us who are privileged to be parents, let’s seek to raise godly children for the Lord! Soli Deo gloria or glory to God alone!

Ephesians 5:22-33 – Walking in divine order (1) – man and wife

Paul now turns to relationships in the home. From Ephesians 5:22 to 6:9 we see him dealing with three pairs of relationship: wives and husbands, children and parents and servants and masters. To the husbands, parents and masters, Paul gave instructions on how they should lead and love; and to the wives, children and servants how they should follow and obey.   

In verses 22-33, Paul then instructs wives and husbands on how their roles should be fulfilled. The way a husband and wife live out their roles would be a reflection of the relationship Christ has with His church. Just as a wife submits to her husband so also must the church submit to the Lordship of Christ. And just as Christ loves the church, so also must husbands love, care and protect their wives. And as the church and Christ are one so also are a husband and a wife one in Christ.  These verses also suggest to us that due to our fallen tendencies, malfunction in roles had resulted. But now in Christ order should be restored. It begins with the Christian homes.   

The apostle first dealt with the role of wives. The key part of the wives’ role is submission to their husbands, in the way they would submit to the Lord. Why? It’s because a husband is the divinely appointed head of the relationship and is expected to care and protect his wife. If this instruction is not obeyed, there will be confusion and disorder in the home. Paul even specified that she should submit not just in some of the things but in everything. Of course submission does not suggest that a wife must allow herself to be trampled upon by her husband, but that she acknowledges the divine order of man’s appointed headship, and lovingly supports it. This we know a wife would do when her husband duly fulfills his role to love as Christ does.   

In verses 25-31, Paul then turned to discuss the role of husbands. They were told to love their wives the way Christ loves the Church. The love for their wives is benchmarked on the sacrificial love that Christ has shown for the church by dying for her. Christ’s love is so complete. He first died to cleanse her, then He continues to sanctify her so that she will be a spotless bride to Himself, one who is free from all blemishes. In the same way, a husband must love his wife as he loves his own body.  He must care, cherish and nourish his wife in the same way that he would care for his own body, for husband and wife are one.    

God’s intention is that the wife and husband function as one, for they are intricately bound. They have left their parents and are now glued together to be one flesh. So they must function and play their parts individually to reflect that oneness. Ill-treatment of one’s spouse must not be tolerated for it is a clear reflection that one has not fully understood the divine order. To all husbands, let us love our wives as Christ loves the church. To the wives, remember to obey your husbands and support their leadership. 

Ephesians 5:18-21 – Walking in the Spirit

One sure way to have a victorious Christian life is to live a Holy Spirit empowered life. So in verse 18, Paul exhorts believers to be filled with the Spirit constantly. Believers have the choice of having the effects of the spirit spelt with small ‘s’ or the Spirit spelt with the capital ‘S’. Both can influence the believers. One would cause drunkenness leading to an inordinate, decadent or dissipated living. The other would lead to an orderly and sanctified life.

When it comes to God’s Spirit, we must be filled constantly. Apart from being empowered by the Spirit, believers can never effectively walk in the light or wisdom. The command “be filled” would be better translated as “be being filled.” Although this may be awkward in English but it would be an accurate portrayal of Paul’s intention. The apostle wanted us to know that the infilling of the Spirit is not a one-time act, it must be a deliberate daily moment by moment choice or decision. The dynamism of the Spirit-filled living must be a daily and current experience. None of us should expect to be fully effective by depending on yesterday’s infilling to live for today. Furthermore, this experience is a collaborated effort of the believers and the Holy Spirit. As we surrender and yield to Him, He fills us. He must not only be resident in our lives, He must be the president of our lives.   

From verses 19-21 we are then shown the typical results of a Spirit-filled, and Spirit-empowered living. Firstly, Spirit-filled believers will live a joyful life. There will be an inner joy that could be seen by one’s expression in outward acts of praise and worship. There will be singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs as an expression of the joy in one’s heart. Despite great sorrow, such kind of believers can experience overflowing inner joy.

Secondly, Spirit-filled believers will live a thankful life. The fullness of the Spirit within would cause such believers to have an attitude of gratitude. Thanks-giving for both big and small things will be the order of their lives.

Thirdly, Spirit-filled believers will live a submissive and participative life. They will live interdependently with other believers. They submit to each other out of reverence for the Lord. Spirit-filled people do not act independently from the fellowship. They are opened to teachings, exhortation, admonitions, counsel, correction, guidance, etc. of fellow believers.

Paul, we know, do not have any objection to drinking wine. He was only against excessive drinking that would lead to riotous, inordinate and drunken lifestyle. It’s perfectly normal to celebrate with a glass or two of wine. But the best way to celebrate life is to be filled with God’s Spirit. It brings about a joyful, grateful and graceful living. So let’s be filled constantly by God’s Spirit, for a glorious empowered daily walk!    

Ephesians 5:15-17 – Walking in wisdom

Not only should Christians walk in the light, they must also walk in wisdom. This is the essence of these four verses. Notice how Paul wrote verse 15. He put it in the imperative mood, meaning it’s not just an instruction but also a command. The Authorized Version (KJV) of the Bible put it rightly. It says, “Be circumspect then how you walk, not as fools but as wise.” He is calling believers to lay aside foolishness and live wisely. To live wisely, verse 16 tells us that our lives must be in line with God’s will.  

The only way to truly discern the will of God is when believers know the will of God. This is the first and important requirement. The will of God is found in His Word. Therefore, it’s critical that we read, study, memorize, meditate, digest and assimilate the Word of God daily. Then we must seize every opportunity to do God’s will. Wise believers live with His mission of life in mind. We must live to glorify God. Then we live habitually to enhance our spiritual progress continually. We must also live to reach the lost for Christ as well as seeking to build-up fellow believers as well.  

In verse 15 the word careful is translated with the word circumspect in the Authorized Version of the Bible. It literally means to scrutinize every aspect of your life. To be alert to opportunities as well as dangers. To do what is needful and progressive and to avoid the pitfalls. Wisdom dictates that we be discerning. To accurately discern, we need to be aware of our present circumstances as well as to know the Word of God.

We are told to redeem the time in verse 16. The literal meaning of the statement is seize every opportunity. Paul is not talking about the hours we have, but the activities and things we do with the hours, or the physical time we have each day. We can also look at it as the moments with have. Every so often we must remind ourselves to seize the moment. This is referring to present opportunity. As believers, wisdom dictates that we seize the day. To put this in Latin – “Carpe diem

Ephesians 5:3-14 – Walking in the light

To be walking in the light is to live an open and transparent life. It is a life of integrity. As Christians we are called to set examples so that we can reflect the goodness of God. In these verses Paul gave instructions to us believers, what we need to do to live such a life.  As opposed to those children of darkness, believers are children of light, hence we are to walk in the light.

Paul dealt with conducts that promote immorality such as fornication, and sexual uncleanness and greed or lust. Believers are to avoid such lifestyles. And knowing that dialogue could also lead to immorality, he told them to avoid filthy or vulgar talk, to avoid foolish, godless and meaningless talk and even vulgar jesting. He advocated that Christians should give thanks instead of all those nonsensical talk. Notice in verse 5 that Paul told believers not to covet. He was most likely referring to coveting unlawful sex. It’s true that harboring such a desire is a form of idolatry. Here Paul also gave reasons why such conduct should not be cherished. Firstly, it’s because it does not fit the character of a person whom God has set apart. Secondly, it’s because those who live such a conduct habitually have no part in the Kingdom of God. It shows that they have not come under the reign of Christ.

In verse 6, Paul shows an avenue that one could be enticed and deceived into immoral conduct, by misleading teaching. He calls it vain words here. He tells us that there are people who would charm and tempt believers into sexual immorality by suggesting that God would pass over such sins and not judge it. There are people who could stretch the grace of God to a point that licentious living is encouraged. Contrary to that, Paul tells us that God’s wrath is upon the children of disobedience who practice such conduct.   

Believers are also told not to participate in the lifestyle of those children of disobedience. Why so? That’s because believers are no longer children of darkness but children of light. In fact Paul said that we believers are light. We are lamps bearing God’s light in the world today, to provide direction to true and pure living. Living a life of immoral conducts would be contrary to our new nature.

Verses 8-10 is a command for believers not to participate in the work of darkness, but to walk as children of light. The standard we should measure our conduct with, is God’s Word and not human standards.  Verse 10 said that our goal is to please the Lord. As we live a lifestyle to please the Lord, fruits that reflect goodness, righteousness and truth will be produced.   

In verse 11, we are told not to participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. It suggests that we cannot be hermits and withdrawing from the world, but we are to courageously live holy and truthful lives of integrity, in the midst of the evil world. In living lives opposite to what’s evil and wrong, we will expose the work of evil. We will reveal how wrong and shameful the conducts of darkness are. In verse 14, Paul quoted Isaiah 60:1-2 as a call to Christians to wake up and rise from their past life of darkness and death, and begin to shine God’s light. Here we are given the promise of the light of Christ to be effective witnesses to the world.

We are called to be lights of the world. We are lit lamps not to be placed under a cover but on a lampstand to give light to the world. Let’s trust that as we courageously function as lights in the world, the oil of the Holy Spirit will continue to fill our lamps. 

Ephesians 5:1-2 – Living a life of love

In Ephesians 4:32 Paul showed the magnanimity of God by forgiving us in Christ. That is the demonstration of God’s kindness and tenderness. In the light of that, believers are called to emulate that great tenderness of God.

So here in Ephesians 5:1-2, the apostle then expanded on what he had started in that verse. He began by calling us to be imitators of God as His beloved children. It is a call to live a life of love. To help us understand the magnitude of this call, let us explore the meaning of walking in love. To walk in love is simply to live a life of love, a life in which our every action and choice is flowed out of love. It’s a life of self-giving, with the glory of God and the well-being of our fellowmen in focus.  

Why should we live a life of love? Paul tells us that we are children loved by God. He is the perfect demonstration of love and He always love. If we are to imitate Him we must also walk in love.  

How the Father loves has been demonstrated in Christ. He is the best example. While He was on earth, He walked in love all of the time. The ultimate example set for us concerning love was how Christ offered Himself on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. There He demonstrated God’s free, great and generous love.

As we look at how God in Christ has loved us, we are motivated to follow Him to live a life of love, just like He so loved. This is what the apostle John said, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:7-9).

Ephesians 4:25-32 – Cultivate healthy inter-personal relationships

In Ephesians 4:23, Paul called for the adoption of a new lifestyle, a lifestyle created after God in righteousness and holiness of the truth. In verses 25-32, he then went on to list down a few specifics that believers could work on. In so doing, they would progress in their journey toward holiness and righteousness.   

The first thing he dealt with was falsehood. In verse 25, he encouraged that all falsehoods must be replaced by speaking truth to one another. This ought to be so since we are fellow believers in the Lord. Then in verses 26–27, he was concerned that one would harbor anger to a point that it could lead one into sin. So he urged believers to keep their anger short and to seek resolution to a misunderstanding, soonest possible. It is true that anger has a way of causing us to be bitter toward another. So we ought not to let a day end without resolving our conflicts. In verse 28, the apostle encouraged diligence and generosity, especially time wasters. Here Paul could possibly be dealing with people who stole time from their bosses. Employees who waste time at work are stealing their employers’ time. So instead of being irresponsible, believers ought to put up an honest day work and earn their wages honestly. In verses 29-30, Paul dealt with corrupt conversation. He urged that all conversations should be wholesome and edifying. This would be the opposite of coarse jesting. Believers should speak wholesome edifying words, for speaking otherwise would cause us to grieve the Holy Spirit within us, whom God had given as a mark of His ownership. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption. Then in verse 31, he encouraged compassion to replace hostility. One should not allow hostility to develop and create barrier towards a brethren. Compassion will enable one to be more open and forgiving. In verse 32, he called for magnanimity. Believers must be kind to one another. They must be tender-hearted. It’s so easy to develop a hardened heart. The way to prevent it from happening is to readily forgive, remembering that God in Christ has freely forgiven us. This will ensure that we do not develop a heart that will become bitter.  

These are sound instructions for inter-personal relationship. In God’s new society, we must cultivate a healthy relationship so that as a community we can faithfully witness to the goodness of God. Let us seek to do so to glorify God!

Ephesians 4:20-24 – The believers’ new lifestyle in Christ

Having dealt with the lifestyle to avoid, Paul then turned to help the Ephesians to look at their present lifestyle. He wanted them to know that they need not live like the Gentiles. For in Christ they have adopted a different way of thinking and a different principle of living. He wanted them to know that in Christ they have the truth to evaluate standards.

To have learned about Christ means knowing about His person, His character and His attributes which God had imparted through His apostles and teachers. In these verses, Paul’s implication is that if a person should go on living like the Gentiles, then that person has not truly known Christ. In fact, he has repudiated Christ.

Through the teaching about Christ. They were taught to put off the old self and lifestyle influenced by their past.  A lifestyle that is morally insensible and totally has no regard for the conscience. It’s a life of indulgence in all kinds of wanton, unclean practices without restraint.

Paul reminded the believers that in learning about Christ they were not taught to live that kind of lifestyle. This kind of practice would have no part in them if they have truly learnt about Him, for they would have appropriated the truth found in Christ.  

There were three things that they would have been taught to do. Firstly, as believers, they would have been taught that they had already put off the old man, the old man was the un-regenerated domineering flesh with all its sin nature. In that old nature and sinful state, they were being led about by deceitful lust. Now they had already put off that lifestyle with the nature of the old man.  

Secondly, they would have learned that they must continue to be renewed in the spirit of their minds. Like them, as believers we should also constantly be renewed in our minds by yielding to the Holy Spirit daily. This would allow the Spirit to renew us through the Word. This Spirit-filled, Spirit energized Word, would then guide us in what we ought to do and at the same time increase our desire and empower us to do it. As we exercise this daily, we find the strength to continually put off the conduct of the old man.

Thirdly, the Ephesian believers had been taught that in Christ they had also put on the new man. Their old nature had been washed clean in Christ’s blood, and they have become a part of Him. Thus, they were brought under His rule. Like the believers in Ephesus, we have also put off the old man and are being renewed in the spirit of our minds daily. Furthermore, we have also put on the new man created with a likeness to God in two specific attributes of His - the attributes of being righteous and truly holy.

We must take seriously what God through Paul is saying to us. We must reckon our old nature dead and not to pander to it. We must daily yield our mind to the Spirit and be renewed continually. We must seek to allow the Holy Spirit to empower our walk in the newness of life, made in Christ, to be righteous and holy.      

Ephesians 4:17-19 – The lifestyle to avoid

In Ephesians chapter 4, Paul used the term “walk” to describe the lifestyle that one adopts. In verses 1-16, his call was for believers to adopt a lifestyle of unity. In verse 17 and the following verses, he was calling for believers to walk in purity. Unity  would help to galvanize inter-personal relationship between the believers. Purity would help one to maintain a witnessing life in the believers’ relationship with an unbelieving world. So here he warned believers the kind of lifestyle they ought to shun.

Paul started with a forceful exhortation. When he said, “This I say therefore, and affirm with the Lord …,” he was claiming divine revelation. This is not just a piece of apostolic advice or sound reasoning. It is something that the Lord Himself would require. What was it that the apostle affirmed with the Lord? He was urging that the believers should no longer walk like the Gentiles. He was calling on them to shun the lifestyle, which they once lived, when they were pagans. The word “Gentiles” is sometimes used to describe the world as well. Here Paul used this word not to differentiate between Jews and Gentiles. He was telling the believers not to live as if they were people of the world.

Why shouldn’t they live like the Gentiles? It is because Gentiles live in the futility of their mind. It’s interesting to note that Paul deal first with mindset. Why? It is because Christians must recognize that the place to start living is to recognize that they must think differently from the people of the world. The word “futility” means void of purpose. Therefore, in asking them not to walk in the futility of their mind, was to ensure that their lives were not void of purpose or appropriateness.

In verse 18, the apostle starts a series of cause and effect. The reason that the people of the world have a futile mind is because they were darkened in their understanding. As light is truth, darkness is ignorance. Man is ignorant because his spirit is darkened and malfunctioned. Hence, he cannot recognize truth and is alienated from God. Man, outside of Christ, remained alienated from God because of the hardness of his heart.

What Paul stated in verse 19 would be the inevitable result of the hardness of the heart. They would become callous and indulge in sensuality and pander to all kinds of impurities. It was such a lifestyle that Paul said the believers in Christ should shun.

Every one of us needs to stop, examine and re-calibrate our life every now and then. Many of our wrong thoughts are adopted unconsciously in our unguarded moments. We assimilate the value of the world through various media. If we do not call time out to align our thoughts and lives with God’s Word, we will find ourselves drifting farther and farther from God in thoughts and then in deeds. We need to set our minds and thoughts towards the way of truth, for as King David said of God in Psalm 51:6, “Behold You desire truth in the innermost being!”  

   

Ephesians 4:7-16 – Be a mature and stable Christian

In verses 7-13, Paul moved from unity to talk about diversity. Just like unity, diversity also finds its root in Christ. This diversity results because Christ gave different gifts to men for the work of the ministry.

Paul tells us here that believers are recipients of God’s gifts. These are given through Christ. By His death, we receive eternal life and that’s not all. He also gives gifts for the work of the ministry. Paul then substantiated it by quoting Psalm 68:18. In Biblical times, a conquering general would usually return home in a triumphal parade. He would ride into the city on a white horse followed by the booties of war which he had taken from the battle. It was a time of grand celebration when gifts were distributed. Here, Paul was painting a picture of the triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ. He had conquered death and removed the power of sin. As the conquering King, He now distributes gifts to His Church. The reason for these gifts is so that the body could be equipped and everyone could grow toward maturity. Each gift is given by Christ and therefore, He is the Source of these ministry gifts.

What are the ministry gifts? Paul here listed five gifts. He gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some as pastors and teachers. Are there five or only four gifts? Those who think it should be four say that the pastoral and teacher’s role always go together. However, each ministry gift is needed in the Church: the apostles and prophets are gifts that would lay the foundation and provide the system for the governance of the Church. The evangelists are gifts to gather the people in. The pastors are given to counsel and guide believers. The teachers are called to instruct and ground the believers in the faith.

What is the purpose? Paul said that they are given for service; to equip the saints for the work of ministry so that the Church would be built up. There is a hint here that all Christians are called to do the work of ministry. Christ gave the ministry gifts to the Church so that the believers could be equipped for the work of ministry. Therefore, the implication is that every one of us is called into service. The ultimate purpose of this is for the building up of the body of Christ. There is a two-pronged program for the edification of the Church. The Church is called to reach the unsaved as well as to mature the saved. 

The objective is found in verse 13: to have everyone reach maturity and share Christ-likeness. The whole aim was to make mature and stable believers who would not vacillate in their spiritual walk. When believers are stable, they will not be easily deceived and taken in by the schemes and trickeries of the devil.

Believers should no longer behave like children. Being a child is not wrong because it’s a natural phase of growth. However, with passing years, the child ought to grow and if he does not, something is drastically wrong. The clear evidence of a person still in his childhood would be his or her reaction to false teachings. They fall prey too easily to false teachings and never reach maturity (v.14).

Verse 15 tells us that believers are to grow up in all aspects into Him Who is the Head, even Christ. In verse 16, he gave us the result of a healthy and growing Church. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of this body. Every believer forms a vital part of that body. Their function would only be as good as their union with the Head, Christ Jesus. Just like the human body, a part not in vital union with the head cannot function effectively. The body would be paralyzed when it is not connected to the head. But when the whole body is connected to the head, every part would be functioning effectively, unity would be preserved and growth would be the natural outcome.

At what level of maturity are we individually? Are we growing as a believer? Do we still vacillate in our faith? Let’s stay connected to Christ, continue to grow in Him and then seek to glow for Him!   

Ephesians 4:1-6 – The call to unity

Paul once again referred to himself as a prisoner of the Lord. He understood that ultimately, whatever happened to him was part and parcel of the Lord’s plan and purpose. Since God had designed it such, he implored the Ephesians to flow with God’s purpose and fulfill their calling.

Like in our days, the Church then, also existed in a fractured and disenfranchised world. And there were desperate demands to meet the needs of such a world. Therefore, like them, we must also ask the pertinent questions: as a community, what is the role of the Church in the midst of such a world? In this and the following verses, Paul defined the function of the church to help them see their mission. In contrast to how people conduct their lives, the community of believers are called to lead a life worthy of the calling. Paul made a solemn appeal to the Church, comprising of the people of God, to walk in the manner worthy of that calling. Whether in speech or action, the conduct and character of God’s people must reflect the life and work of Christ, Who dwells within. The lives of the individual members of this new community must demonstrate that life-changing encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. In the following verses right through to verse 16, Paul gave several pointers that would promote unity in the new community.  

Here in verses 2-3. Paul delineated five traits that would contribute to unity. They are: humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance and love. Where any of these elements is missing, unity would be lacking. But when each person lives these traits, the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace would be preserved. 

 

When Paul used the word “humility,” he was seeking an accurate understanding of their own moral smallness. In essence, it means to realize one’s own insignificance while evaluating the worth of others. In the word that had been translated gentleness or meekness, Paul was talking about power under control. The idea is for a person who refuses to react against another for the sake of Christ, although he or she has the right. The words “longsuffering” or “patience” literally mean “to be long tempered.” This is the opposite of having a short fuse. The word “forbearance” is to endure or to put up with. And the word “love” refers to God’s kind of love, the unconditional and unselfish love that takes others into consideration. Paul knew that when these five traits are present, the unity of the fellowship would be truly evident. It would be marked by peace.

Believers must practice these traits because they belong to one body. The word “one” appears seven times in these four verses. Notice once again how Paul alluded to the Trinity – The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Just as there is perfect unity in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Church finds their oneness in their identification with Christ. Their oneness is possible because believers share in the one Spirit, Who integrates them into the one body. Secondly, they share a calling into that one hope, one faith and one baptism because there is only one Lord. Thirdly, they share a common family because they share one Father, Who embraces all and fills all.

Let our constant prayer be: Father make us one, so that the world may know that you have sent your Son. Let’s go for unity! 

Ephesians 3:20-21 – God is able

There’s power in prayer because we have a powerful God who answers prayer. As we reflect on verse 20, Paul indicates seven facts that made Him so powerful. These seven reflections about God will enable us to know that God’s answer to prayer is a sure thing, no matter how difficult our circumstances may be.

Firstly, there’s a certainty about God’s ability to answer our request because He is all-powerful. Secondly, we know that He is an active God, and not a passive idling one. Thirdly, He will listen to all that we ask for and answer them as He deems fit, for He can see everything surrounding our lives. Fourthly, His answers are customized to fit our needs for He sees beyond what we think, because He knows our thoughts. Fifthly, He can do more than our request for His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Sixthly, He answers abundantly because there’s no limit to His capacity. And finally, He is able to do abundantly beyond, because He is the God of the super-abundance.

With these thoughts about God, Paul burst out into praise again. He praised God for His glory in the Church. God’s glory is expressed and manifested in the Church. Furthermore that glory is the visible expression of God’s invisible perfection. The apostle also praised the glory in Christ Jesus because this glory is also expressed through Christ. Finally, he praised God for His everlasting glory that will be seen for all generations forever and ever.

Remember what the prophet Jeremiah said. “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You…” (Jeremiah 32:17). Truly, we serve an awesome God, Who deserves all the praise and glory!

Ephesians 3:14-19 – The power of prayer

Paul was a man of prayer. In chapter 1 he prayed on learning of the Ephesians’ faith in God. Here in this chapter, he prayed on learning that they were losing heart because of his imprisonment.

In verses 14-21, he began by referring to the true posture of prayer. In saying that he bowed his knees before the Father, he was not just referring to the kneeling posture in prayer. He was referring to the attitude of the heart in prayer. God is more concerned about the attitude of dependence when we come to Him in prayer. It is interesting to know that standing with arms outstretched was the Jew’s usual praying posture. They bowed their knees or prostrated themselves only when the matter they were praying was something of extreme concern. And this was the posture Paul took.

He addressed his heavenly Father, the One in whom every father on earth derives his name. In saying that, Paul was essentially showing that God is the archetype of fatherhood. Every father on earth who qualifies to be called a father takes his fundamental nature and character from this heavenly Father. The term “Father” here is not merely referring to God being the Father of all mankind. The term implies that He cares and is concerned, and that He provides, guides and communes with His children. When encountering a discouraging moment, this is the Father Who is always available. In mentioning His riches in glory, Paul was talking about God’s Personhood, His glorious being. Whenever God reveals His glory, He shows Himself and what He’s like. He is not a distant transcendental being seated above, devoid of any interest in what is going on in our lives. In fact He is a tender, caring and loving Father Who is deeply concerned about what is going on in our lives. This is the heavenly Father every believer comes to in prayer.

Firstly, he prayed that through the Spirit the believers would be strengthened in the inner man. Paul asked the Spirit Who dwells in believers to strengthen and reinforce their inner being. Why? It’s because recovery always begin at that level. It always starts at the level of the spirit. Furthermore, it is the level that only God can do. It is God’s part. We cannot do anything but to pray for God to do it. The very first step to recover from discouragement then, is to ask God to release a fresh lease of strength in the spirit. Then the Spirit of life, Who dwells within believers, will restore the strength so that a believer can once again function as God has intended.

Secondly, he prayed that Christ might dwell in their hearts through faith. Paul knew that only after the Holy Spirit had strengthened the spirit then could a person feel the nearness and presence of Christ. The work of the Spirit would stir up faith. When the Holy Spirit does that, faith is restored in the heart to believe in the presence of Christ. Paul added that they would operate from the solid and needful foundation of God’s love.  

Thirdly, he prayed that they might have the power to comprehend and know Christ’s love. Here the apostle progressed from the believer’s love to Christ’s love. He prayed that believers would have the power to understand the love of Christ and to know it in experience. In mentioning the breadth, length, height and depth, Paul was praying for them to experience the full measure of Christ’s love. The power to understand this love would be richer when believers comprehend it with all the saints. Personal experience of this love could be limited, but when understood together with the experience of others, one could understand a much fuller scope of His love. Paul not only prayed for them to understand that love but also to know it. In a sense, one can never comprehend love until it has been experienced. Even then, it is difficult to fully understand everything about God’s love, because it surpasses all knowledge.

Finally, he prayed that they might be filled with all the fullness of God. The aim of a Christian’s life is to be filled with the fullness of God. Paul’s desire was for God to be in possession and control of every believer’s life, and that God would enrich, bless and strengthen the believers in every way.

Oh, to know Him and all that He has provided! And we can, by coming to Him through our daily and constant prayer!

Ephesians 3:1-13 - Steward of the mystery of God

Having discussed the union of Jewish and Gentile believers in the church, Paul referred to his role on behalf of the Gentile believers. He called himself a prisoner of the Lord and not a prisoner of the Roman emperor. Technically speaking, he was a prisoner of Caesar, but he did not see himself as that. It’s because he knew that if it was not in God’s program for his life, he would never be there. He stressed that he was a prisoner of the Lord for the sake of the Gentiles. Paul spoke as if he expected the Ephesians to know his role in this.

Furthermore, from what he had said, it appeared that he also wanted his readers to know: that his prison experience was for them to understand that he was a steward of God’s grace. As a steward, the mystery he proclaimed came to him by revelation. It came directly to him from the Lord Himself. He did not get the message from the other apostles. He also assured them that when they read what he had written, they would see the great insight he had concerning this mystery. From here, he then went on to describe the mystery.

In verses 3-12, Paul described the details of his unique and privileged ministry. In using the word “administration”, he was referring to his ministry in the sense of a stewardship or trust he was called to share. He was granted to administer God’s grace particularly to the Gentiles.

Several times in this passage Paul mentioned the word mystery. What exactly did he mean? The usage of the word mystery here refers to something that was not known previously but is now made known in the Gospel. Paul’s ministry includes proclaiming this mystery. In Ephesians 1:9 the mystery had to do with the purpose of God in bringing all things together under the headship of Christ. Now in this chapter, Paul refers to one aspect of that ultimate goal, the inclusion of Gentiles in the blessings of the Gospel and how it would be done.

Paul showed from verses 3-12 his specific role as a minister of the good news of salvation to the Gentiles. This service Paul was called to do was being done in the church, in preaching the gospel. In pointing out his role in the ministry of this mystery, Paul showed us the important role the church plays as the agency of the divine mission. We need to know that the church is very critical to history, to the Gospel, and to Christian living.

Paul quickly turned the focus away from himself to the effects of the ministry from verses 9-10. Firstly, the mystery was made known to the people – the Gentiles – whom he was sent to preach. They received the unfathomable riches of Christ, in that they felt the effect of the good news that was brought to them (v.8). Secondly, the mystery was made known to all men universally. Paul was entrusted to make known this knowledge that was once hidden. His ministry brought light and enlightened men concerning this mystery (v.9). Thirdly, Paul said that his ministry had the effect of showing this unique wisdom. Through the Church, the principalities and powers in heavenly places would learn something of this multi-faceted wisdom of God. Here we are told quite explicitly that the invisible spiritual forces are watching the Church. These forces are made up of both demons and angels.

In reading these few verses, you get to feel the confidence of Paul. He was certain of his calling. Therefore the hardship did not bother him. He only saw that part where he was called to fulfill and never stopped being amazed by God’s grace. There were two reasons for his amazement. First was the value of the gift that God had given to him. It was given to him by the working of God’s power. From verse 8 we know that this gift is the gift of evangelism. The word “to preach” would be better translated “to evangelize.” Second was the fact that God would choose him though he was the least of the saints. Here he was not depreciating himself. Neither was he suffering a bout of poor self-esteem. As Paul understood the unfathomable riches of the Christ, he saw himself more clearly and realized how dependent he was on this grace of God, to minister to the Gentiles effectively. In that light, he was having a proper estimation of himself.

Refusing to let his readers forget where all he had said originated, Paul made his conclusions in verses 11-12. He told them that everything came about according to God’s eternal purpose and that He had brought it about in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is in Christ that we have access to the Father, to Whom we can come boldly through Christ.

Verse 13 suggests the Ephesians may have become discouraged by the hardship Paul was facing. They were not only feeling sorry for Paul, but also because their faith was being threatened. So Paul wanted them to know that everything was in order although he was in prison. Paul wanted them to know that it was by divine appointment that he was there.

How wonderful to know that God has such great plan for us, Gentiles, right from the beginning! Now we are enjoying the fruit of Paul’s ministry. Let’s go forth and proclaim this wonderful Gospel that more may enter in!