Category Archives: Inspired Message

In his inspired letter to the Ephesians, Paul tells the followers of Christ that they have been created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (4:24) In view of this he instructs them to put away or put off their ‘old man’ and to put on the ‘new man.’ But how does one do this? Paul tells us how in chapter 4, verses 25 through 32, “Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members of one another. “Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, neither give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need. Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”

In this passage Paul gives practical instructions in six areas of our lives. He tells us what to ‘put off’ or ‘get rid’ of, what behavior should take its place and the reason for doing so.

Area one: Ethics. Paul writes that Christ’s followers must put away falsehood. He had already said in verse 21 that truth is in Jesus. It follows then, that those who claim Christ as their Lord should turn away from what is not true. Though the primary application is to speech, it is obvious that the principle of putting off falsehood involves much more than just what we say. For example, Jesus pointed out that “…For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34) If we are to turn away from lying, we must remove falsehood from our hearts. Lying takes many forms. Not only do we say or write what is not true, but we also can deliberately give a false impression or mislead others by how we act. All forms of falsehood are to be rejected. In the place of falsehood, the follower of Christ is to speak truthfully. We are to be totally genuine. It is worth noting that speaking truthfully involves speaking! We should not remain silent if our silence causes someone else to believe something which is not true. But, though we must speak the truth, as Paul already instructed in verse 15, it must be done in love so that we will grow in our relationship to Christ. The reason Paul gives for putting off falsehood and speaking the truth is that all the followers of Christ are members of one body. When we lie to a fellow believer, we are lying to the body of which we are a part. When we speak the truth in love, we build up the body.

Area two: Emotions. We may not always be able to control how we feel. But we certainly can control how we act as a result of our feelings. In view of this, Paul quotes Psalm 4:4 when he writes, “Be angry, and don’t sin…” (4:26) To become angry is not, in itself sin, for even God expresses anger, but it can easily lead us into sin. In verse 31 Paul instructs the followers of Christ to get rid of anger altogether. We must not nurture it. On the contrary, we are to not “let the sun go down on your wrath.” What this means is that we are to settle problems daily. The reason Paul gives is so that the devil will not gain any opportunity. If we settle problems daily while they are still small, they won’t have the chance to grow large.

Area three: Employment. Many people have the idea that the world owes them a living. They justify stealing because they feel they deserve the things they take. But the follower of Christ may not steal. Paul writes that those who have been doing so are to stop. Instead, they are to work, doing something useful with their hands. There are some who feel that manual labor is beneath them. But any labor dedicated to the Lord, is holy. To the Colossians Paul wrote, “And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24) Christ Jesus Himself worked as a carpenter. Should those who follow Him be too proud to work with their hands? The reason Paul gives for finding honest employment is so we will have something to share with those in need. In another place Paul writes, “For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed, but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be equality…” (2 Corinthians 8:13-14)

Area four: Speech. The follower of Christ is to not let any “corrupt speech” (NIV, “unwholesome talk”) come out of his mouth. The literal meaning of the word Paul uses is something which is rotten or spoiled. In the context it is any speech which would corrupt, harm, destroy or tear down another person or a relationship. It would include such things as slander or gossip. In contrast to this we are to say only what will help build others up. It is worth noting that what we say is to be according to need. All too often we say far more than is needed. The reason for this instruction is so that those who listen may benefit. If we are honest with ourselves, we will have to admit that much of what we say is either beside the point or is of no benefit to anyone.

Area five: Spirituality. The next instruction to Christ’s followers is to not grieve God’s Holy Spirit. In chapter 2, verse 22 of this letter Paul had already written, “in whom [that is, Christ] you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.” Since God lives in us by His Spirit, it is obvious that if we desire to have God in our lives, we should do nothing which would drive His Spirit away. In other words, we need to make our lives a place where God would want to live! The reason Paul gives is that it is through God’s Spirit that we are “sealed for the day of redemption.” Paul had already explained this in chapter 1, verses 13 and 14. The Spirit is the mark of God’s ownership on the follower of Christ.

Area six: Interpersonal relationships. Not only is a follower of Christ to make his life a place where God would want to live, but he must also root out anything which would destroy his relationship with fellow believers. Bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander and malice have no place in the life of one who has given himself to Christ. These negative and destructive traits are to be replaced by kindness, compassion and forgiveness. The reason Paul gives for forgiving one another is that God forgave us. Shouldn’t we show the same mercy to others as God has shown to us?

In chapter 4, verses 11 through 16 of his inspired letter to the followers of Christ in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul writes that the spiritual maturity and growth of Christ’s body, that is the church, is not merely the responsibility of the leaders with which Christ has gifted it. No, the church is built up by the individuals who are a part of the body. But the question is, how can a follower of Christ grow?

In chapter 4, verses 17 through 21 Paul writes, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts; who having become callous gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you did not learn Christ that way; if indeed you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:”

If one were to summarize what Paul is saying in this passage, it is that a follower of Christ must leave his past life behind and truly become a new person in Christ. Paul is writing this inspired letter to Gentile people. Yet, in verse 17 he says that they must “no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk .” This is not merely a suggestion. Paul gives it as a command “in the Lord.” But why must we renounce our heritage when we come to Christ? It is because in chapter 2, verse 19 Paul had already pointed out that those who follow Christ are “no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” When one becomes a citizen of another country he must renounce allegiance to the country from which he came. When we decide to follow Christ we must turn away from our old allegiance. In a spiritual sense, we are no longer Gentiles, but citizens of a new country. Each of us must decide whether we are going to belong to Christ, or remain in our old way of life.

Paul points out that the thinking of the Gentiles is futile. He explains why in verse 18. It says, “being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts;”

The thinking of the Gentiles is futile because they are darkened in their understanding. Their understanding is darkened because of ignorance. But their ignorance is not innocent. The ignorance of the Gentiles is not due to a lack of information but because of hardness of heart. They do not know God’s will because they have chosen not to know it. When one hardens his heart and, by refusing to hear God’s voice, is separated from the life that God gives, then the alternative is to descend into sensuality and impurity.

In the Greek language in which Paul wrote this letter, he states a condition in verses 20 and 21. If someone has indeed heard of Christ, they did not come to know Him by thinking and acting like the Gentiles. Paul mentions three constants in coming to know Christ. The first is that the truth is in Jesus. Jesus himself said, “…For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 8:37) This means that no one can truly follow Christ and accept a different teaching as well.

The second constant in the experience of those who follow Christ is that they have “heard of him.” In chapter 1, verse 13, Paul wrote, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation…” (NIV) As we saw, when discussing that verse, ‘hearing’ in the Scriptural sense, always implies taking action on what is heard. In the context of this letter, hearing specifically involves believing what was heard. ‘Hearing’ also implies a soft heart which is receptive to the message.

Though it is absolutely essential to hear and accept Christ’s gospel message, that is merely the beginning. A third experience in which all true followers of Christ share is that they are “taught in him.” What this means is that we must put Christ’s teaching into practice in our lives. We cannot remain one of Christ’s followers without acting on what He said.

But what is the teaching of Christ? Paul provides the answer in verses 22 through 24. “that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.” The first teaching is to “put away” the “old man.” This refers to habits and lifestyle. Paul writes that the ‘old man’ is in the process of being corrupted by deceitful desires. Once a person becomes Christ’s follower he can no longer live as though he weren’t. The verb which Paul uses indicates that removing the ‘old man’ does not happen automatically when we choose to follow Christ, but involves conscious effort on our part.

But the change cannot be merely external. Paul writes that the followers of Christ must be “renewed in the spirit of your mind.” In verse 17 Paul said that the Gentiles live as they do because of the futility of their thinking. The mind of someone who belongs to Christ is to be radically different. However, this is not something which a person is capable of achieving on his own. The change takes place when we allow God’s Spirit to renew our spirit.

Not only is a follower of Christ to remove his old way of living but he is to consciously “put on the new man.” What is this new man? Paul says that it is one in which “the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.” Scripture says that, “God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him…” (Genesis 1:27) Through our sin, however, we have destroyed the likeness. Those who follow Christ are re-created in God’s image. If we are made in God’s image, we need to display a godly character. When people look at us, what image do they see? Do they see God in us?

The Apostle Paul writes that leaders are among the gifts which Christ has given to His followers. In chapter 4, verses 11 through 16 of his inspired letter to the Ephesians, he writes: “He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ; from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.”

Leaders have been given to the followers of Christ for at least three reasons. The first is to prepare or train them to serve and meet the needs of people. Many approach Christ or the church from selfish motives. They are interested in what they can obtain or how they may benefit by claiming to put their faith in Christ. But a true follower of Christ will want to serve and give of himself. For example, the Apostle James wrote, “Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (James 1:27) It is the responsibility of leaders to train Christ’s followers how to serve.

Another responsibility of leaders is to help the followers of Christ be united in their faith and their knowledge of Christ. This is in accordance with Jesus’ prayer for his followers. He prayed, “that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.” (John 17:21)

A third responsibility of leaders is to help the followers of Christ attain “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” In other words, to help people become as much like Jesus as possible. In another place Paul writes, “For whom he [that is, God] foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…” (Romans 8:29)

The importance of good leaders in the church is indicated not only by their responsibilities but by what results in their absence. In this passage Paul gives several contrasts to help us understand this. For example, Paul writes that in the absence of godly leadership the followers of Christ are exposed to the “cunning and craftiness of men”. (vs. 14 NIV) The Apostle Peter describes such people in this way, “…uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are indeed escaping from those who live in error;” (2 Peter 2:18)

Paul writes that a consequence of the followers of Christ not reaching unity in the faith is that they will be “tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” Unity implies agreement. As Paul writes in another place, “Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)

But it is possible to be united in the wrong thing. In contrast to the ‘deceitful scheming’ of men (vs. 14) Paul writes that if the followers of Christ are to grow, they must speak the truth in love. (vs. 15). So, how can we know that what our leaders teach and promote is the truth? In addressing one group of leaders Paul, himself, warned, “Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” (NIV, “Even from among your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.”) (Acts 20:30) With this in mind it is extremely important to remember that the apostles and prophets are among the leaders Paul lists among Christ’s gifts to the church. In this same letter, in chapter 2, verse 20 Paul wrote that the apostles and prophets are in the foundation of God’s household. In chapter 3, verse 5 Paul also reminds us that God’s message has been revealed to the apostles and prophets by God’s Spirit. The apostles and prophets carefully wrote down and preserved the message which had been revealed to them in the book which today we call the New Testament. The New Testament is the only objective standard by which we can judge teaching, and is the basis upon which all the followers of Christ can reach unity. Notice, however, that it is not enough to merely be united in truth. Paul emphasizes that it must also be in love. As Paul writes in another place, “If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2) Do we exhibit the same kind of love that Christ did?

In verse 13 Paul writes that under the guidance of godly leaders the followers of Christ will become mature (“a full grown man”) and attain the fullness of Christ. On the other hand, in verse 14 he warns that those who remain children (NIV, infants) in their faith will be unstable. From this we learn that is essential for every follower of Christ to grow and make progress in his relationship to Christ. But growth is not only necessary on an individual basis, it is also necessary for the followers of Christ as a whole. Paul likens them to a body. In chapter 1, verses 22 and 23 he had already defined the body of Christ as the church. So, it is necessary for the church to grow and make progress in the faith as well. It is important to understand, however, that just as Paul had defined maturity for the individual as becoming like Christ, so too, he defines the building up of the body, that is the church, as “grow[ing] up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ.” (vs. 15) The maturity of the body cannot be measured by how wealthy it is or by how many members there are, but only by how Christlike it is. The focus of the body must always be on its Head. Are we like Christ?

It is worth noting that full maturity is not achieved instantaneously. Just as a human child requires time to grow from an infant into an adult, so too, spiritual maturity in the body of Christ is a process. Also, just as a child requires the proper nourishment in order to grow properly, Paul indicates that it is love which nourishes and causes the spiritual body to grow. Note, too, though Paul has emphasized the role of leaders in helping the body to grow, he clearly says that Christ’s body will be built up to the extent that each individual who makes up the body works to accomplish it.

In his inspired letter to the followers of Christ at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul instructed them to be, “eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) But how can people of different ethnic, cultural, social, economic and educational backgrounds truly be unified? Paul points out that those who follow Christ have all entered the body, that is the church, in the same way. In addition they are united in Christ because the Spirit, the Lord (that is Jesus) and the Father (that is God) are One. But this is not all. In order to help Christ’s followers maintain their unity, they have been given gifts of grace. In chapter 4, verses 7 through 10 Paul writes:

“But to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Therefore he says, “When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” Now this, “He ascended,” what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.”

From this passage we see that in order to help maintain unity in the body of Christ, not merely one gift has been given, but several. In addition, while gifts are given to every follower of Christ, rather than to just a few, they differ from person to person. The gifts are also equated with grace. This means that the gifts are not given because we deserve them, but because of Christ’s goodness.

To establish this proposition Paul refers to Psalm 68. But this raises a question. Paul writes, “…he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” Yet Psalm 68, verse 18 says, “…You have led away captives. You have received gifts among men…” Is Paul twisting Scripture to make it say something it does not? No! If one reads verse 18 in its entirety it is obvious that the Lord received gifts from the rebellious while Paul is referring to the gifts which are given to those who are obedient. If the whole Psalm is read, it becomes clear that gifts were received from the rebellious in order that gifts might be given to those who are obedient. So, Paul is not twisting Scripture, but is giving a synopsis of the Psalm. It is Christ’s victory which results in gifts being given to His followers.

Who is the gift giver? Paul identifies him as the one who ascended on high. This is a clear reference to Jesus’ ascension into heaven and His glorification. But Paul also reminds us that Christ ascended only after He had first descended. As Scripture says in another place, “…he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;” (Philippians 2:8-9) Christlike humility is one of the keys to unity. The pursuit of honor and position leads to competition and strife. Humility promotes love and service to one another. The Apostle Peter writes, “…all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;” (1 Peter 5:5-6)

What are the gifts Christ has given and how do they help his followers maintain unity? In verse 11 Paul writes, “He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;”

From this verse it is obvious that among the gifts of grace which Christ has given to his followers is the gift of leadership. Among these leaders are apostles and prophets. The apostles were appointed personally by Christ to be His representatives. Prophets were divinely inspired spokesmen who communicated God’s holy word to Christ’s followers. In chapter 2, verse 20 Paul wrote that the apostles and prophets are the foundation of God’s household, and in chapter 3, verse 5 he said that the Spirit has revealed the mystery of Christ to them. From this we learn that the true church is built upon the teaching of the apostles and prophets. Any person or group which rejects their teaching is not part of the body. The Apostle John wrote, “We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:6)

Christ has also gifted some as evangelists. Their responsibilities include preaching Christ’s gospel to those who have not yet heard it and establishing new congregations of believers.

Paul also mentions shepherds (pastors) and teachers. It is not clear from the text whether he is referring to shepherds who teach or to two distinct groups of people. The ability to teach is one of the qualifications of a shepherd. Yet, Scripture specifically mentions teachers also. While the prophet was divinely inspired to deliver God’s word, the teacher, or teaching shepherd, interprets and explains God’s word. Teaching not only includes exposition but also the practical example of living a life worthy of emulation. Shepherds are also known in Scripture as elders, overseers or bishops, and pastors. It is their responsibility to oversee the congregations and care for their spiritual welfare.

It must be pointed out that the church no longer has apostles and prophets among its living leaders. The completion of the New Testament Scriptures fulfilled the purpose of their lives. While their work continues on through the New Testament writings, the missionary role of the apostle has been taken over by the evangelist, and the shepherd has taken over the nurturing role of the prophet.

For what purpose has Christ gifted these leaders? In verse 12 Paul writes that they are, “for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ;” What Paul is saying is that it is the responsibility of the leaders of the church to train the followers of Jesus to serve and to meet the needs of people. This, in turn, will cause the church to progress.

What is the goal of this training? In verse 13 Paul writes, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;” The strength and health of the church cannot be measured by the number of its members or by its wealth. It is measured, instead, by how united it is in faith, and by how Christlike the members are. We all need to be aware of how our congregations compare with this standard.

In the first 3 chapters of his inspired letter to the followers of Christ at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul writes about what God has done for those who believe in Christ, and the blessings that are theirs as a result of following Him. But following Christ means far more than merely assenting to certain theological propositions. Our religion means nothing if it doesn’t affect the way we live. True belief in Christ will always produce action. In the rest of this letter Paul will write about practical applications of faith in Christ which affect how we live our lives from day-to-day. In chapter 4, verses 1 through 6 he writes:

“I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love; being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.”

Paul urges his readers to be worthy of the calling they have received. What is this calling? To what have they been called? Paul answers this question in verse 4 by reminding them that they have been called to hope. This is a repetition of what he had already written in chapter 1, verse 18, “…that you may know what is the hope of his calling…” In contrast to this, Paul reminds us in chapter 2, verse 12 that those who have not chosen to follow Christ do not have hope. The hope that Christ gives is so powerful that it triumphs over external appearances. Paul was in jail for his faith when he wrote this letter. In the eyes of the world he was a criminal, yet because of the hope he had, he could call himself a prisoner of the Lord.

But what does it mean to be worthy of this calling? Paul answers this when he writes that those who are called should be completely humble, gentle, patient and bear with one another in love. (verse 2) In essence, Paul is saying that we must recognize that we do not deserve the hope that God gives us. This agrees with what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) And James, quoting from Proverbs, reminds us that, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) All of us who follow Christ face a choice. We can be found worthy of God’s call, or we can hang onto our pride. We cannot do both.

Paul writes that we should make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (verse 3) Notice that Paul does not say that the followers of Christ should attempt to become united, but that they should preserve the unity that already exists. Why should we preserve unity? If for no other reason, it is Christ’s desire that all of His followers be united. If we claim to follow Christ shouldn’t we do what He wants? While praying for His disciples Jesus said, “Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you…” (John 17:20-21) Paul not only echoes Christ’s prayer but, in verses 4 through 6, gives specific examples of the unity that there is among Christ’s followers. 1) There is only one body. Earlier, in chapter 1, verses 22 and 23 Paul defined the ‘body’ as the church. So, what he is saying here is that the followers of Christ are united because there is only one church. This requires some explaining because those who claim to be the followers of Christ are split into many, many groups each of which claims to be the church. It is important to understand that it is not what people or organizations say about themselves which makes them part of the body, but whether they have responded to God’s call. The body cannot be identified as any one particular group or organization. It is, instead, composed of those people within the various organizations who are obedient to Christ. We need to ask ourselves whether we are truly part of Christ’s body or merely a member of an organization.

2) There is one Spirit. As Paul has already indicated in this letter, it is the Spirit which reveals God’s Word, guarantees the inheritance of the followers of Christ and grants them access to God. Since there is one Spirit, all of the followers of Christ have the same message, the same assurance regarding the future and the same right to approach God.

3) There is one hope. This means that all of the followers of Christ share the same aspirations and have a common goal.

4) There is one Lord, that is Christ. All followers of Christ, regardless of where they are or what group they are associated with, are under the same authority and answer to the same Master.

5) There is one faith. No one can be a follower of Christ without professing certain core or essential beliefs. For example, as Paul writes in another place, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

6) There is one baptism. Every follower of Christ has become part of the body by being baptized into Christ. There is no other way to become a member of God’s household.

7) There is one God and Father of all. One of the fundamental truths of Christianity is that God is One. Though the Bible teaches that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all manifestations of God, and have different roles, God remains one and indivisible. Just as God cannot be divided but remains One, over all and through all and in all, the followers of Christ should also be indivisible even though each of them is also an individual. There is unity among God’s people in spite of their diversity.

It is worth noting that Paul writes that unity should be maintained through the bond of peace. Some philosophies or religious systems try to impose unity by coercion or force. But peace is one of the distinguishing marks of true Christianity. We should always evaluate whether our actions promote peace or discord.

In the first part of his inspired letter to the Christians at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul reminds them of what God has done for them through Jesus Christ. In Christ they have been granted spiritual life, forgiveness of sins, hope, membership in God’s household and peace with God and with each other. After describing God’s eternal plan to allow both Jews and Gentiles to share in the promises made through Christ, Paul breaks into a prayer for the people to whom he is writing. He does not hesitate to come before God because he had already explained in chapter 3, verse 12, “in whom [that is, Christ] we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.” In chapter 3, verses 14 through 15 Paul begins his prayer by saying: “For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,”

In this prayer why does Paul address God as Father? There are at least three reasons. First, Paul had already used the metaphor of a household in chapter 2, verses 19 through 22 to describe the relationship between God and the followers of Christ. And, in chapter 1, verse 5 he wrote that God adopts as His children those who put their faith in Christ. Secondly, Paul addresses God as Father because it is from Him that “every family in heaven and on earth is named.” This points to God’s role as Creator. As Paul explains in another place, “…he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things.” (Acts 17:25) But most importantly, Paul addresses God as Father because it is He who gives new spiritual life. In chapter 2, verses 4 and 5, Paul had already written, “But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” For all these reasons it is appropriate for the followers of Christ to address God as their Father.

All too often, when we pray to God, we spend most of our time asking for blessings. We ask for healing, for success and for material possessions so that our lives may be more comfortable. But Paul does not pray for blessings. Instead he prays for growth in character. In verses 16 through 19 he says:

“[I pray] that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Paul prays that his readers may be strengthened with power. In chapter 1, verse 19 he had prayed that they would know God’s power. Here we see the purpose of knowing that power, or being strengthened by it. It is so that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith. In chapter 2, verse 22 Paul had already mentioned that the followers of Christ are being built into a dwelling in which God lives. Notice in both places that this action takes place by, or through, the Holy Spirit. What Paul is saying is that the followers of Christ become a temple in which God, in His fullness, wishes to live. The question is, Have we submitted ourselves to Christ so that our hearts are a fit place for God to live?

Paul also prays that his readers will be rooted and grounded in love. Just as it is impossible to be saved without faith in Christ, faith without love is useless. As Paul writes in another place, “If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2) Love is one of the defining characteristics of a follower of Christ. Jesus told His disciples, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) Paul wants his readers to love so that they, too, can make progress with the rest of Christ’s followers. This is why he writes that they are to be rooted and grounded in love “with all the saints.”

The reason why we must be rooted and grounded in love is so we may grasp the full dimensions of Christ’s love. We will never be able to comprehend Christ’s love for us until we, also, learn to love.

Paul next prays something which sounds quite strange. He prays that his readers might know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge. What Paul is saying is that Christ’s love is much more than something we can know with our minds. It is something which must be experienced. Because of that love, Christ died so we might live. But love does not merely look back at what God has already done for us, it also causes us to imitate that love. As Paul writes in chapter 5, verses 1 and 2, “Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.”

The purpose of Paul’s prayer is that his readers “may be filled with all the fullness of God.” As has already been pointed out, God has adopted the followers of Christ as His children. It should be possible to identify the children of God by their godly characteristics. God wants us to be like Him. The Apostle Peter writes, “…he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.” (2 Peter 1:4) When people look at us do they see God in us?

But is it possible for Paul’s prayer to come true? Is it really possible for someone to participate in God’s nature? Yes, it is! Paul continues in verses 20 and 21, “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”

God is not only able to accomplish what Paul has asked, but also what we are afraid to ask and even what we cannot comprehend. The question is whether we are willing to allow God’s Spirit to work in us so that it will happen. As long as people are willing to put their faith in Christ and allow God’s Spirit to work in their inner being God will be glorified not only in us as individuals but, as Paul indicates, in the church as well.

In chapter 3 of his inspired letter to the followers of Christ at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul writes that God’s mystery had been revealed to him. This mystery is that by accepting Jesus Christ, non-Jewish people can share in the promises which God gave the Jewish people. Paul calls this message the ‘Good News.’ In verses 7 through 13 he writes, “of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord; in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.”

Some people become proud when they think that God has revealed a message to them. They think that this gives them the right to rule over others. But Paul writes that he became a servant of the gospel. Jesus said, “…You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

Actually, a person to whom God’s message has been revealed has no cause to be proud. Paul gives two reasons for this. The first is that the message of the gospel was given by a “the gift of that grace of God”. If it is by grace, then it is not something which is deserved. The second reason is that the message was given through the working of God’s power. The gospel is powerful, not because of the messenger, but because of God. Paul calls himself “the very least of all saints.” Yet because he did not rely on his own power, but rather God’s, God was able to use him far beyond his own capabilities. Whose power do we rely on when we try to take the gospel to others? Do we try to do it in our own strength?

As a servant of the gospel, what task was given Paul? He writes that it was to preach to the Gentiles. The apostles were not all given the same task. Galatians 2:7 records that God gave the Apostle Peter the task of preaching to the Jewish people. But though God may have given us a particular task, we should not use that as an excuse to turn away from the needs of someone. Though Peter’s task was to preach to the Jewish people, it was through him that non-Jews first heard the gospel of Christ. Though Paul’s task was to preach to the Gentiles, he always spoke to Jews as he had opportunity. Scripture says, “So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men…” (Galatians 6:10)

Paul also had the task of making plain to everyone the administration of the mystery. In the past this mystery was hidden. But now God has revealed it to the apostles and prophets and given Paul the task of proclaiming it in a way that everyone can easily understand it. On the other hand, though the gospel may be easily understood, Paul also describes it as the “unsearchable riches of Christ”.

What was God’s intent in having the mystery proclaimed? Paul writes that it was so God’s manifold wisdom would be made known. From this we see that there are many aspects to God’s wisdom. In another place Paul explains what some of these aspects are: “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God– that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV) Paul writes that God’s wisdom should be made known through the church. It follows, then, that if the church is going to make God’s wisdom known, it must proclaim Christ, be righteous in all its actions, be an example of holiness and preach a message of redemption.

To whom does God intend his wisdom to be made known? Paul writes that it is to the “the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places”. There are some who think that this merely refers to people of authority who are in high positions, such as kings, governors and others who are in high positions, or to those who are influential. Though such people may be included in this description, it seems that Paul means much more than this. In chapter one, Paul used the phrase “heavenly places” to indicate the place where Jesus is seated at God’s right hand. In chapter 6, verse 12, Paul indicates that “spiritual forces of wickedness” are also in the heavenly places. When we consider these facts, it becomes plain that Paul is saying that God intends His wisdom to be made known not only to people, but also to beings in the spiritual realm as well. This is something which the followers of Christ should never forget. Our lives and conduct not only affect the people around us, but also have an impact in the unseen spiritual world as well. As Paul points out, in one sense God has already accomplished His eternal purpose through Jesus Christ. But it is the responsibility of the church to make it known.

The revealing of the mystery of God’s wisdom has a very practical result: Access. What this means is that the follows of Christ may approach God. This is something which is unthinkable for someone whose sins have not been forgiven. But because of what Christ has done, those who have submitted their lives to Him may approach God with boldness and confidence. Notice that it is in, or through Jesus Christ that we have access. This is why the followers of Christ pray in Jesus’ name. Jesus told his disciples, “Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.” (John 16:24)

Paul ends this section with an amazing statement. He says that his sufferings are the glory of the people to whom he is writing. Paul can write this because it is through his suffering the church is being strengthened and God’s intent is being fulfilled. Paul, the servant of the gospel, is faithfully completing his task.

In his inspired letter to the followers of Christ at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul writes that God has granted the non-Jewish peoples equal status with the Jews through Jesus Christ. In chapter 3 Paul goes on to say that God revealed this message to him. In verses 1 through 6 he writes, “For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you; how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words, by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,”

Paul writes that he is a prisoner of Christ Jesus. Though from a human point of view Paul was imprisoned by the Romans, he could say that he was a prisoner of Jesus because he was in jail because of his faith in Christ and his efforts to serve Christ. There are some things worth going to jail for. Being a follower of Christ is one of them. Paul could be content in prison because he was surrendered to Christ. If Christ is our Master, then He is our Master whether we are free or in prison. But, if we must be in prison then it should only be because we are following Christ and not for any other reason. The Apostle Peter writes, “For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters. But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.” (1 Peter 4:15-16)

Paul says that he is a prisoner for the sake of the Gentiles to whom he is writing. This is a reminder of something which we often forget. If we have heard about Jesus and the forgiveness of sins which is available to us through His blood, it is only because other people have suffered so that we could hear the message. We need to honor those who cared enough to tell us about Jesus, in spite of danger.

Paul calls the grace about which he writing a mystery. There are many times when we feel that God is remote. But just because we cannot see or comprehend how God is working does not mean that His grace is not upon us. The problem is not with God, but with our comprehension. Can we trust and love God even though we may not be able to discern what He is doing?

But the grace about which Paul is writing has not remained a mystery. Paul writes that it was revealed to him. This is an important point. The message Paul is writing is not something which he made up. In verse 5 he says that the message was revealed to him through the Holy Spirit. In other words, if we reject what Paul has written, we are not merely rejecting the words of a man, but a message from God.

In verse 3 Paul says that he has already written briefly to these people about the mystery. It is possible that this is a reference to the book of Colossians which many scholars feel was written shortly before this letter. It is more likely, however, that he is referring back to what he had already written in chapter 1, verse 9. There he said, “making known to us the mystery of his will [that is, God’s will], according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him [that is, Christ]”

There are two parts to verse 4 where Paul writes, “by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;” The first part is that Paul expects his readers to scrutinize and evaluate both him and his message. What he is writing now is consistent and in agreement with what he has said and taught before. This is what we would expect if a message is truly from God. Similarly, if someone has truly been sent by God, he can be totally open and transparent with those to whom is has been sent. An examination of his life and message will only demonstrate their genuineness. Secondly, God’s mystery was not only revealed to Paul, but Paul also understood what was revealed to him. Because he understood it, he was qualified to explain it as well.

God’s prophets and apostles to whom the mystery was revealed are holy. The basic meaning of the word which is used is ‘set apart for God’s use.’ This gives us a powerful means by which to evaluate someone who claims to have a message from God. If they do not live a godly life, then we should view their message with great caution. One of the things which gives us confidence in what Paul has written is that his life was consistent with the godly message he proclaimed.

Paul writes that the mystery was not made known to previous generations as it has now been revealed. We sometimes get frustrated because it seems that God is not working as quickly as we would like. But God’s timing is always perfect. He revealed the mystery when it was best to do so. As Scripture says, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son…” (Galatians 4:4) It says in another place, “…at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6) Similarly, when the time was right, God revealed the mystery.

But what is this mystery that Paul is writing about? In chapter 1, verse 10 Paul explained that the mystery is that God will bring “to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him;” In chapter 3, verse 6 Paul tells us one of the practical results. He writes, “that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News.” Notice that it is by means of, or through, the gospel this takes place. As Scripture explains elsewhere, ‘gospel’ or ‘Good News’ is a term used for the message about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-8) This is a restatement of what Paul had already said in chapter 2. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, people who were enemies and divided from one another can now be reconciled and at peace, both with each other and with God. Now, in Christ, all people can be heirs of eternal life. God’s promises no longer apply only to certain people or to a particular race, but to all who follow Christ.

In verses 14 and 15 of chapter 2 of his inspired letter to the followers of Christ at Ephesus, the apostle Paul called the Mosaic Law a “middle wall of partition” (NIV, “dividing wall of hostility”). The Law divided non-Jewish peoples from the Jews and was a cause of enmity between them. It was also a barrier which stood between the non-Jewish peoples and God.

In calling the Law a wall, Paul, no doubt, was thinking of God’s temple in Jerusalem. The outer courtyard of the temple was called the ‘Court of the Gentiles.’ A low wall separated this courtyard from the ‘Court of Israel’ and the temple proper. On this wall notices were posted which said, “No man of another race is to enter within the fence and enclosure around the Temple. Whoever is caught will have only himself to thank for the death which follows.” (Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 42, Ephesians, Word Books, 1990, p. 141)

But Paul writes that through His death on the cross, Jesus has fulfilled the Law, and in doing so, has destroyed the barrier which separated one people from another. Now, both the Jew and non-Jew can be reconciled to God, and to each other through Jesus’ blood. In verses 19 through 22 Paul discusses the implications of this. He writes, “So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.”

Paul writes that one consequence of Jesus’ destroying the dividing wall is that the non-Jewish followers of Christ are no longer “strangers and foreigners.” In verse 12 Paul had reminded his readers that before coming to Christ they were “alienated from the commonwealth of Israel” (NIV, “excluded from citizenship in Israel”). Now, they are “fellow citizens with the saints”. The term ‘saints’ needs a little explanation. Some people have the idea that a saint is someone who has done some special work of merit or who has an unusual amount of virtue. But this is not what Paul means. In verse 9 he had already explained that no one is saved by his own works. The basic meaning of the Greek word which Paul uses means, ‘someone who is set apart for special use.’ What Paul is saying is that by accepting Christ, non-Jewish people, as well as the Jews, are included in God’s chosen, that is, those whom God has set apart for His own.

Another consequence of the dividing wall being destroyed is that the non-Jewish people who accept Christ are included in God’s household. What this means is that God treats those who follow Christ as if they were His own children. In chapter 1, verse 5 Paul had already said that God has predestined the followers of Jesus “for adoption as children.” Those who were formerly enemies, have now become brothers in Christ.

Another name for God’s household is ‘church’. We know this because in writing to Timothy, Paul said, “These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly; but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the assembly of the living God…” (1 Timothy 3:14-15) In chapter 1 of his letter to the Ephesian Christians, Paul called the church, that is, God’s household, a body. But in chapter 2, verses 20 and 21 he writes that it is also a building.

Just as a physical building has a foundation, God’s household also has a foundation. Paul writes that this foundation is the “apostles and prophets.” By ‘apostle’ Paul is no doubt referring to the 12 men whom Christ especially chose to be witnesses on His behalf. Later, Paul himself was added to this group by Christ. By ‘prophet’ it is possible that Paul means the people through whom God caused the Old Testament Scriptures to be written. But it is more likely that he is referring to those people in the Church who were specially gifted to proclaim God’s message prior to the writing of the New Testament Scriptures. In chapter 3, verse 5 Paul says that God’s plan and purpose has now been revealed to the apostles and prophets as it had not been made known in previous generations. Also, in chapter 4, verses 11 through13 Paul writes that the apostles and prophets have been given to the church to prepare God’s people for works of service and so that they may reach unity in the knowledge of Christ. In calling the apostles and prophets the foundation of God’s household, Paul is saying that the church is built on their authority and teaching. From this we can see that any group which denies the authority of the apostles or which does not follow the teachings of the New Testament writings is not part of God’s household.

But the foundation is not merely composed of the apostles and prophets. Paul writes that the cornerstone is Christ Jesus. In other words, if it is not built on Christ the whole building will collapse. As Paul wrote in another place, “For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)

Another characteristic of God’s household is that it is fitted together. In speaking of the church in chapter 4 of this letter, Paul will emphasize that it is built up in love as each part works together. The church, that is God’s household, is to be united regardless of the different backgrounds of the people in it.

Paul writes that this building is being built into a holy temple. The physical temple in Jerusalem, with its dividing wall, was destroyed just a few years after this letter was written. In its place, God is raising another temple made of the hearts of those redeemed from sin by Christ. In another place Scripture says, “You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)

Paul writes that God lives in this temple by his Spirit. The question is: are we part of the this holy temple so that God may live in us?

Our world is torn by conflict and strife. Wherever one looks countries are at war with one another. People of different religions are at one another’s throats. Uncounted lives are lost because of racial and tribal hatreds. There is conflict between the poor and rich. The cycle of hatred and violence has been going on for thousands of years. The prophet Jeremiah referring to the situation of his day wrote, “We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and behold, dismay!” (Jeremiah 8:15)

Is there no hope? Can peace ever be achieved? In his inspired letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul assures us that it can. Peace is possible through Jesus Christ. In verses 14 through 18 of chapter 2 Paul writes, “For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace; and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.”

This short passage describes how Jesus has made it possible not only to be at peace with one another, but also with God. In order to understand how Christ brings peace, it is first necessary to recall the causes of division. In verses 11 and 12 Paul pointed out that the reason for hostility between the Jewish people and non-Jews was racial and religious pride. The Mosaic Law, and particularly the rite of circumcision, became a cause of division and disharmony. But Jesus destroyed the barrier caused by the physical act of circumcision by another physical act. His death fulfilled the Law thus removing it, and the circumcision it commanded, as a barrier between people. Because of what Christ has done, the Mosaic Law no longer applies. In God’s eyes everyone is now equal. Where there is equality, mutual hostility is replaced by oneness. Division gives way to harmony.

Hostility between people is really only a reflection of the more serious disharmony between man and God. The cause of disharmony with God is the “transgressions and sins” which Paul mentioned in verse 1. By choosing to sin, people have deliberately turned away from God who is holy. As the prophet Isaiah wrote, “Behold, Yahweh’s [that is, the Lord’s] hand is not shortened, that it can’t save; neither his ear heavy, that it can’t hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2) By His death on the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for man’s sin and so through the cross is able to reconcile those who accept His sacrifice on their behalf to God. As Paul writes in another place, “For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him; and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20)

Reconciliation with God through Christ is not limited to any particular group of people or race. Paul writes that Christ “preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near.” (verse 17) By comparing this statement with what Paul had already said in verses 11 through 13 it is clear that those who were ‘far away’ refers to non-Jewish people, while those who were ‘near’ refers to the Jews. Paul’s statement looks back to what Isaiah had prophesied hundreds of years before, ““…Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says Yahweh [that is, the Lord]; “and I will heal them.”” (Isaiah 57:19) God’s words written by Isaiah specifically applied to the people of Israel, but Paul is not misusing them when he applies them to non-Jewish people as well, for in referring to Christ the prophet Zechariah also wrote, “…he will speak peace to the nations: and his dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.” (Zechariah 9:10)

But how can this be true? How can Paul write that Jesus preached peace when Jesus himself said, “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34) On another occasion he said, “Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division.” (Luke 12:51)

The answer to this apparent contradiction is Paul’s statement that peace and reconciliation are achieved through Christ’s cross. It is only when people accept the sacrifice that Christ has made on their behalf that peace results. It is in this context which Jesus’ words about bringing a sword and division can be understood. Jesus also said, “…I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) But if people reject the sacrifice which Jesus made for them on the cross, the alternative is division and the sword. For example, “When he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace!… For the days will come on you, when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you… They will not leave in you one stone on another, because you didn’t know the time of your visitation.”” (Luke 19:41-44) But to his followers Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.” (John 14:27) He also said, “I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) The question is: Have we accepted Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf? Or do we reject the cross?

In verse 18 Paul writes that both the Jewish and non-Jewish followers of Christ have access to the Father, that is God, by one Spirit. From this we learn that God not only grants the followers of Christ the privilege of being in God’s household but that He treats each one, regardless of their ethnic background, equally. All have access to God. This access is granted through Christ by means of the Holy Spirit. One result is that the followers of Christ may approach God anywhere. They do not have to be in a particular place, or bow toward a particular geographic location in order to bring their requests to God. As Jesus explained to a lady who had asked about this, “…the hour comes, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, will you worship the Father… the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:21-24) Is that how we approach God?