Ephesians 5:1 - 6:9

It says in Ephesians 5:1 that we must become imitators of God. That is a tall order. How can one do this? For one thing an individual cannot even begin to accomplish this in their own power. God's word tells us that we have to flee from that which is wrong. The grace of God through the Holy Spirit can help us each day. We must resist that which temps us. We must be careful how we live. I don't know about you, but I often find that a challenge. I thank God for the daily grace that helps me one day at a time.

Verses 21-33 provide us a challenge and are often misunderstood. Paul wrote this against the Jewish view that had a very low opinion of women. In their morning prayers Jewish men would often pray to God giving thanks that God had not made him "a gentile, a slave or a woman." In Jewish law a woman was not a person but a thing. The woman had no rights. She could not divorce. That could only be done by the man. The verse, "The husband is the head of the wife," is often quoted in isolation. The essence of this section is not control, but love. Submission does not mean one doesn't have rights. I don't know anyone who likes to be submissive when the one to whom submission is expected does not live up to their part of the relationship. Wives find it offensive to have to submit no matter what. That is exactly where the problem comes. Husbands don't always act like Christ. Christ's love is pure. A man's love for his wife must be sacrificial just like Christ's love for each of us. It must never be selfish in nature. It must be a caring love. A man must love his wife just like he loves himself. There is something far wrong when a man does not honor his wife as his equal. Love must go both ways. In a good marriage there is a third party. It is not another person, but Christ.

Ephesians 6:10-24

Ephesians 6:10 – 6:24

Paul is writing to a group of believers in Ephesus who have not fully realized the blessings, power and protection they have in Christ. Paul writes of Jesus’ grace (1:2,6,7; 2 :7) ; His glory (1:12, 14); His purpose (1:9, 11); His inheritance (1:18) ; His power ( 1:19); His love ( 2:4); His workmanship (2:10); His Spirit (3:6); His gifts (4:11); His sacrifice (5:2); His strength (6:10); and His armor (6:11-18). (Christ’s benefits to us are so many!) Paul lifts Jesus up as our only provision and singular source of power to live faith filled and victorious lives in the battles of life. Our fight Paul says is not man against man but man against powers, principalities, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness. Paul in two verses, 11 and 12, uses 6 times the word “against” meaning “contrary to, resistance to, or in competition with” which aptly describes our battles with the formidable foe, the father of lies, the deceiver, our accuser, the one who seeks to devour, which is the devil and his army.

In conclusion, Paul admonishes us to pray. Pray always. Pray at all times, on every occasion, in every season. Our praying prepares us and equips us for our daily needs. Prayer suits us up in our spiritual armor, which is the belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet and sword, a covering from our head to our feet, so that we will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Take for instance what this scripture says about our feet, Eph 6:15, “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” The shoes God places on our feet are His Word which brings peace to our soul from the foundation up, so that we can walk and live in peace. Each piece of armor is equally as exciting and powerful.

The little child’s song goes “I may never march in the cavalry, ride in the infantry, I may never fly over the enemy, but I’m in the Lord’s army.” Sounds like we must pray on to victory; wear the right clothes!

I love the last two verses, 23 and 24,”Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen”

Ephesians 4:1-32

This passage speaks of all that God has provided for us and how we are expected to live in return. As told through the scriptures, the Lord said we are to forgive others as he did to us. In order to live a happy life we have to follow the words of our Lord. No matter how severe the situation is we can make it through with Him. This scripture has taught me to love everyone no matter what they have done wrong to me. I have carefully read this scriptures and I have learned that God does not want us to be hateful or angry towards others, no matter if they are angry or hateful towards me.

We have come to know Christ the way he wanted us to and we have been taught to create new self to be true in righteousness and holiness. Ephensians 4:5-6 says "One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." This means that he is in all who believe and all who seek the Word of God which entitles me to love everybody no matter what. Love thy neighbor as thy self is the motto that we should all live by everyday.

These verses spoke stongly to me this week and has been very helpful with working through many of the things going on in my life.