Three Powerful Life Lessons from Ephesians

When we read scripture with prayer, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes and hearts to lessons that guide our lives. Ephesians gives us so many lessons. There are lessons for us as individuals and also lessons for us as a church. This letter was written to a church and it is written to today’s church as well.

In the west, we tend to consider scripture as individual instruction when much of it is for community instruction. Keep that in mind as you read these lessons today. Also, remember my continual challenge to you to read these books yourself and find lessons that apply to your life today.

Chosen

I recently read an excellent commentary on Ephesians. It opened my eyes to a new understanding of the predestination mentioned in this passage:

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In lovehe predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Ephesians 1:4–5 (ESV)

We, the church, have been chosen. Notice the ‘us’ and ‘we’ in this scripture. Paul is talking not to us as individuals but to the church. The church is chosen to be holy and blameless. We also have a choice. Will we be part of this holy and blameless tribe or will we go our own way? Will we enter into adoption as sons (daughters) or will we refrain and become sons (daughters) of the world?

Seated

This powerful passage reminds us of our privilege in Christ.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4–7 (ESV)

We are seated with Christ Jesus in the heavenly places. And it is already established that Christ has been raised from the dead and seated far above (literally, above above!) all rule and authority and dominion and power and above every name! That is where we are seated by his grace and mercy.

We should never consider ourselves unable to be strong and destined for being downtrodden all our lives. We need to wake up and see where God has placed us. This privilege is by his mercy and grace and we have not earned it but it is ours. We need to live like it!

Power

We all believe that God’s power is infinite. There is nothing he cannot do! But the way he works is astounding!

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  

Ephesians 3:20–21 (ESV)

Did you see that? ‘According to the power at work within us’ is the power of God that works in and through us! Remember that Jesus told his disciples that they would greater works than he did (John 14:12).

God does his work in the world largely through our obedient response to his leadership. When he prompts us to do something, he is inviting us to participate with his power to change the world. This is an awesome privilege and responsibility.

Your Turn

I provided three lessons from Ephesians from the first three chapters. See if you can find at least three more from the last three chapters.

Now available is the complete: Transformational Life Lessons from the Bible in Kindle format. Click here for more information.