335 - A Letter to the Ephesians (Part 2) – Living as a Child of God
- Gwen Diaz
- Dec 1, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 28
December 1 - Nº 335 Ephesians 4:1 – 6:9
Paul began his first prison epistle by describing all the amazing benefits God had made available to the believers in Ephesus (see #334 - November 30). He explained that these benefits already belonged to them since they had become God's children.
In the next section of his letter, Paul focused on how they should live their lives in order to enjoy all the benefits God had for them. First, he re-emphasized God’s desire for the members of His family to live together peacefully. In order to do this, they needed to be humble and patient with each other.
Paul reminded them that God did not supply everyone with the same gifts or talents or passions. His desire was for them to use the different gifts He provided to build each other up and help each other out. Paul explained that this was only possible with the help of the Holy Spirit.
In order to experience this, the Ephesian believers needed to abandon their old, selfish ways of doing things—and choose to live peacefully with each other. He described the process as “taking off” the old clothes they had once worn as orphans and “putting on” the new clothes the Holy Spirit provided for them as adopted children of the King.
For instance:
They needed to “take off” lying and “put on” telling the truth.
They needed to stop being angry and learn to be kind.
They needed to quit hurting each other with their words and begin encouraging each other instead.
They needed to stay away from anything that led to sexual immorality and practice self-control.
If they were willing to wear the clothing the Holy Spirit offered, they would not only look like God’s children on the outside, but their hearts would be filled with joy and thanksgiving on the inside.
The key to living in peace with other believers, Paul explained, was for them to learn to treat others as more important than themselves. He described how this worked in three important relationships--their marriages, their families, and their jobs.
Their marriages:
Paul instructed wives to support their husbands. They were to respect the role God had given their husbands as spiritual leaders in their families.
And husbands were to be servant-leaders. They were to love their wives sacrificially in the same way that Jesus loved the church. He had been willing to die to fulfill its greatest need! If husbands chose to love their wives in this way, their spouses would have no problem respecting them.
Paul knew that mutual submission was the key to a long and happy marriage.
Their families:
Paul commanded children to obey and honor their parents.
He instructed parents to intentionally raise their sons and daughters to love the Lord and know His Word. They were not to do things that would cause their children to become bitter or angry.
Their jobs:
Slaves (or employees) were to respect and obey their masters (or bosses) by working hard. Paul explained that their ultimate goal should be to please God.
And masters (bosses) were to be kind and treat those under their authority with respect. Their goal should be to please God—since He is the Master of everyone.
God intends for His children to live in unity. For this to happen, Christians must never promote themselves or put others down.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul mentions lying, anger, mean words, and sexual desires as some of the biggest hinderances to unity.
Are there any of these sins in your life that God would like to remove?
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you “take them off” so you can “put on” God’s righteousness instead.
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