Ephesians 1-2

The Ephesians were known for their faith and love for all the saints.  These are great qualities that a church should be known for.

As we read this Epistle this week, let us reflect on ourselves – the church and see where we stand.

Bible Passage:  Ephesians 1-2

I especially love reading these words of Paul:

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

~ Ephesians 1:15-16

The emotional tone of these words reflects Paul’s encouragement over the news he had received about his reader’s faith and love, as well as the depth of relationship he felt with many of the people he had likely never met.  Paul’s words encourages believers everywhere to pray continually for God’s people everywhere.

And when I look at our church today, there are lots of similarities.

We often hear of testimonies of love and faith shown by our believers in other countries.  And though we do not know them in person, the stories encourage, motivate and inspire us.

Paul was encouraging the church to be a worldwide, caring community – knowing that believers around the world are one in the Lord – one family.  We should also be a praying community – one that intercedes for one another, knowing very well who the Master of the house is.

We should also be a “reflective and thinking” community – reflecting and pondering over the Words of God as we strive to live the right way in the Lord.

We should also be a community that understands time – not only for what Christ has done for us in our present and also will do in our futures.

We are also a victorious community – one that lives in Christ’s victory over sin.  And with Christ, we can overcome sin in our daily lives.

Lastly, we are a powerful community – not through our own might and power – but by the powerful authority that Jesus has placed on His disciples.

That’s what we are = a community with Christ as our core.

 

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