Ephesians is filled with what we need in order to understand who we are in Christ and what it means to live out every single day. Here are 10 lessons believers can take away from the book of Ephesians:
I wore a bracelet most of my middle and early high school years. I thought it was pretty cool – you probably had one too. It was a woven cloth bracelet with the stitched letters W.W.J.D.? I knew what each letter stood for, but I did not have a true understanding of what it really meant.
“What would Jesus do” looked cool on your wrist, but meant nothing without heart change and practice.
Back in the 90s, it was cool to “love” Jesus and still live like you're lost.
But maybe it wasn’t just the 90s. It’s been the tale far too long. For me it all changed when I was 19. My salvation gave me an understanding of the gospel, but I needed to gain an understanding of what this life as a follower of Christ was to look like.
Ephesians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus. It was written to believers who were confronted with the very question, “How do I live in light of the gospel in a world that is dark and broken?” Ephesians is filled with what we need in order to understand who we are in Christ and what it means to live out every single day.
If you’re wondering how to do what Jesus would do, here are 10 lessons believers can take away from the book of Ephesians:
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/mbolina
1. We can do nothing to earn our standing with God. – Ephesians 1:3-14, 2:1-10
There are two main phrases we see used multiple times in chapters one and two of Ephesians. “In Him” and “In Christ” together are used seven times. The emphasis is a reminder that all of our spiritual blessings and our salvation are in Christ alone. Paul is clear in his writing that there is nothing we can do to earn our standing with Christ.
2. We are his holy temple and dwelling place. – Ephesians 2:19-22
The Holy Spirit, our seal, and guarantee of our inheritance. The Spirit dwells within us as believers. We are made to be the dwelling place of the Spirit, we are the holy temple. Just as in the Old Testament the Spirit of God dwelled in the tabernacle, we as the body of Christ – the Church – are the dwelling place of the Spirit.
3. We are bound in unity to other believers. – Ephesians 4:4-6
One body – One faith. We are bound to other believers because of our faith, because of Christ. Unity within the Church is vital and without question, required of believers.
4. We are to walk worthy. – Ephesians 4:1-14
The encouragement Paul gives is for us to walk worthy. We display that in humility, gentleness, patience, love, and unity. Each piece is not a reflection of who we are, but what God through Christ does in us.
5. Equipped with a purpose. – Ephesians 2:8-10
We are not saved by ourselves, nor are we saved for ourselves. Our purpose was set out from the beginning. Each purpose is unique to who we are, our families, our churches, and our ministries.
6. Put off the old self. – Ephesians 4:20-24
Paul gives the instruction that we are to put off the old self, and put on the new. We are to put away the former things and look to the future and the newness we find in Christ. We are no longer dying within a sinful body, but we are redeemed with hope and for a future.
7. Be imitators of Christ. – Ephesians 5:1
We are to imitate the characteristics of God/Christ. This is the beauty of sanctification, to make us more and more into the image of the Living God.
8. Let your marriage model the gospel. – Ephesians 5:22-33
Everything in our lives, including our marriages, is to reflect the gospel. Marriage is a picture of what the gospel looks like, the bride and Christ. In fact, marriages were not intended to make us happy, but to make us holy reflectors of the gospel.
9. Train your children in righteousness. – Ephesians 6:1-4
The display of the gospel doesn’t end with our marriages but is demonstrated through our relationships with our children. Paul gives specific instructions to parents and children on how they are and are not supposed to behave toward each other.
10. We are given full armor. – Ephesians 6:10-20
While we are given all the pieces to help us understand who we are in Christ, and then how to live it out in our daily lives, we are also given the armor of God. Each piece God offers us strategically equips us to live out the Christian life. The whole suit works together in order to cover the entire body, giving full protection for the believer.
The book of Ephesians is a gift to believers, it is filled with teaching and truths that we need to constantly be reminded of. We need the gospel spoken over us every day, we need to understand who we are in Christ, and how we live it out. It isn’t just a bracelet we tie around our wrist, it is the gospel lived out in you and I.
Photo Credit: © Sparrowstock
Michelle Rabon is helping women be disciples who make disciples. Michelle has her MDiv in Ministry to Women from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently serving as Women’s Ministry Director in her local church. She is also the author of Holy Mess. When she is not writing or teaching, she enjoys reading, being close to the ocean, and drinking a lot of coffee. You can connect with Michelle at www.michellerabon.com
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