Ephesians 1-4

STP Devotional for the Week of 05/4/26

This year we’ve been learning from Paul through the study of Philippians. This week, we are going to learn a couple more lessons from another of Paul’s letters, his letter to the church in Ephesus. 

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be rich? Well, it may or may not surprise you that if you are in Christ you are already wealthy beyond anything that this world can give. The central theme of Ephesians is our riches in Christ. 

In chapter 1 vs. 7, Paul speaks of the riches of God’s grace and it is this grace that God lavishes on us that makes us rich. And because of His grace we also receive His peace, His pleasure, His purpose and calling on our lives, His inheritance, His power, strength, AND love. How is God’s grace most abundantly displayed? On the cross of Jesus Christ! There is nothing in ourselves that moved God to save us and yet He sent His Son to die for us, to give us victory over death, and make us holy and blameless before Him. And it is by this means of grace that the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us (3:17).

The riches of God’s grace fills us up to the fullness of God (3:19). In reality, floods are bad things. But in a spiritual sense, they help us grasp what is meant by the overflow of God’s grace. A bursting, like a dam breaking due to torrential rain. We are flooded by grace whereby God fills our hearts with His Divine Love and then we have the power to love in a way that surpasses human comprehension. As Paul is trying to explain this truth to us, he explodes into praise to our Heavenly Father by saying in verse 20 of chapter 3, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us" 

Teacher and pastor, Dr. R.C. Sproul in his commentary on Ephesians describes Paul’s words as a statement of excess but not excessive. Paul is falling all over his words attempting to express the unlimited power of God’s grace available to those who are fully devoted to Him. Throughout the STP season, we have tried, through prayer groups, productions, and post-show testimonies to communicate the greatness of God. How grateful we are that He allows us this platform to try and express His love, power, and perfection through music, song, and script! But…there is life after the stage lights go down…

So, in chapter 4, Paul gives us a plea. In light of God's incredible riches given to us in Christ Jesus, he begs us to walk worthy of the calling to which you have been called (4:1). Paul is very direct. If we are going to call ourselves Christians, we need to act like Christians, all the time. We are to walk in humility, gentleness, and with patience. God’s grace eliminates any grounds for pride in our life. Christ endured humiliation throughout his earthly life and most emphatically at the cross. He stooped so low to save us. He is perfectly tender and kind to us. How can we do anything but seek to walk in His footsteps? Our number one job, (graduating seniors) is to imitate God. So, be filled with His Spirit. Bask in the presence of His grace. Devote yourself to His word and His power will be maximized in your life helping you to obey His laws and walk in His love. 

And if you find yourself falling out of step with Jesus, just call on Him. Confess and God will forgive you! That’s the riches of His grace.

At Home: Review Ephesians 1 and meditate on all the riches you have in Christ. Thank God for His grace and for helping you to walk worthily.