The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the EPHESIANS King James Version the Holy Bible
EPHESIANS is addressed to a group of believers who are rich beyond measure in Jesus Christ, yet living as beggers, and only because they are ignorant of their wealth. Paul begins by describing in chapters 1 - 3 the contents of the Christian's heavenly "bank account": adoption, acceptance, redemption, forgiveness, wisdom, inheritance, the seal of the Holy Spirit, life, grace,citizenship--in short, every spiritual blessing. In chapters 4 - 6 the Christianlearns a spiritual walk rooted in his spiritual wealth. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus [1 - 3] unto good works,...that we should walk in them [4 - 6]" (2:10).
The traditional title of this epistle is Pros Ephesious, "To the Ephesians." Many ancient manuscripts, however, omit en Epheso, "at Ephesus," in 1:1. This has led a number of scholars to challenge the traditional view that this message was directed specifically to the Ephesians. The encyclical theory proposes that it was a circular letter sent by Paul to the churches of Asia. It is argued that Ephesians is really a Christian treatise designed for general use: it involves no controversy and deals with no specific problems in any particular church. Some scholars accept an ancient tradition that Ephesians is Paul's letter to the Laodiceans (Col. 4:16), but there is no way to be sure. If Ephesians began as a circular letter, it eventually became associated with Ephesus, the foremost of the Asian churches. Another plausible option is that this epistle was directly addressed to the Ephesians, but written in such a way as to make it helpful for all the churches in Asia. King James Version...the Holy Bible.
Day 15
You were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30
My backyard garden shed houses many unsual items-- homemade contraptions and remedies--that are perhaps unconventional, yet essential to my success in gardening. The nail polish is a good example. Nail polish? Yes, clear nail polish sits on a small shelf right above my gardening gloves and pruning snips. And no, the polish isn't used on my fingernails. I use it when pruning to seal completely the snipped plant stem. Applying the polish to the wounded stem provides an effective barrier that holds out pests and disease spores. The seal protects the pruning site and ensures the plant's recovery.
Today's Scripture verse offers a similar snapshot, taken in the garden of God's grace. As we come through a time of pruning--work challenges, health concerns, monetary worries, grief--we can be sure of one thing: God is with us. He seals and protects us from Satan's taunts. He guards our wounded spirits with the comfort of His Holy Spirit. He stands as our shield and defender against everything that might prevent our hurts from healing.
Jesus never leaves us to hang--exposed and vulnerable--to the dangers of despair. Instead, when God has confronted us in His Word or through circumstances, He draws us to repentance. He welcomes us home, welcomes us with open, gracious arms. Our wounds are bound up by His forgiveness, grace, and love.
Prayer suggestion. What sins have broken your heart? Don't let the hurt continue. Don't hold onto the guilt in a misguided attempt to make amends with your Savior or even God's forgiveness. Instead, let God bind up your broken heart and seal you forever in His grace.
EPHESIANS is addressed to a group of believers who are rich beyond measure in Jesus Christ, yet living as beggers, and only because they are ignorant of their wealth. Paul begins by describing in chapters 1 - 3 the contents of the Christian's heavenly "bank account": adoption, acceptance, redemption, forgiveness, wisdom, inheritance, the seal of the Holy Spirit, life, grace,citizenship--in short, every spiritual blessing. In chapters 4 - 6 the Christianlearns a spiritual walk rooted in his spiritual wealth. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus [1 - 3] unto good works,...that we should walk in them [4 - 6]" (2:10).
The traditional title of this epistle is Pros Ephesious, "To the Ephesians." Many ancient manuscripts, however, omit en Epheso, "at Ephesus," in 1:1. This has led a number of scholars to challenge the traditional view that this message was directed specifically to the Ephesians. The encyclical theory proposes that it was a circular letter sent by Paul to the churches of Asia. It is argued that Ephesians is really a Christian treatise designed for general use: it involves no controversy and deals with no specific problems in any particular church. Some scholars accept an ancient tradition that Ephesians is Paul's letter to the Laodiceans (Col. 4:16), but there is no way to be sure. If Ephesians began as a circular letter, it eventually became associated with Ephesus, the foremost of the Asian churches. Another plausible option is that this epistle was directly addressed to the Ephesians, but written in such a way as to make it helpful for all the churches in Asia. King James Version...the Holy Bible.
Day 15
You were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30
My backyard garden shed houses many unsual items-- homemade contraptions and remedies--that are perhaps unconventional, yet essential to my success in gardening. The nail polish is a good example. Nail polish? Yes, clear nail polish sits on a small shelf right above my gardening gloves and pruning snips. And no, the polish isn't used on my fingernails. I use it when pruning to seal completely the snipped plant stem. Applying the polish to the wounded stem provides an effective barrier that holds out pests and disease spores. The seal protects the pruning site and ensures the plant's recovery.
Today's Scripture verse offers a similar snapshot, taken in the garden of God's grace. As we come through a time of pruning--work challenges, health concerns, monetary worries, grief--we can be sure of one thing: God is with us. He seals and protects us from Satan's taunts. He guards our wounded spirits with the comfort of His Holy Spirit. He stands as our shield and defender against everything that might prevent our hurts from healing.
Jesus never leaves us to hang--exposed and vulnerable--to the dangers of despair. Instead, when God has confronted us in His Word or through circumstances, He draws us to repentance. He welcomes us home, welcomes us with open, gracious arms. Our wounds are bound up by His forgiveness, grace, and love.
Prayer suggestion. What sins have broken your heart? Don't let the hurt continue. Don't hold onto the guilt in a misguided attempt to make amends with your Savior or even God's forgiveness. Instead, let God bind up your broken heart and seal you forever in His grace.
No comments:
Post a Comment