Advice from Paul to the Ephesians, You, and Me!
My daily Bible reading recently took me to the book of Ephesians. A quick side note before we get into our real study – do you read your Bible every day? I certainly hope so. Confession time for me – for years, I did not. I was very casual about my study time; not disciplined at all. Don’t be like that! Yes, I know you are very busy and it is hard to carve out the time. But it is the same old application of putting in the big rock first; if we do the MOST important thing first, the other pressing matters will get tended to. And, maybe the unnecessary will fall by the wayside!
Now, back to Ephesians 2:19-22: “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”
What a beautiful, comforting passage! We are part of this family. We are not just passing by the place where some huge family reunion is going on, but we are not welcome because we are not a part! We belong. Those are our brothers and sisters. We have every right to be there, and if anyone says otherwise, the head patriarch at this family reunion says, “Come on in. You are a welcome part of this growing group.”
Verse 21: This whole clan is growing and becoming more knit together all the time through the Lord, which makes this assembly a holy place. You are built into it. Your name is on the register. See! Right there it says you are a part of this dwelling place that belongs to all the patriarchs – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit.
Don’t be deceived by those who want you to miss this glorious occasion (2:2). Don’t go back and live like those who do not belong (2:3; 11-12). Don’t forget there are some house rules. There are some requirements for those who are a part of this family – (4:1-6). They are not burdensome; they are for your own good. Your life on earth will be more content, and your place in the eternal family will be assured.
Patsy Shero, San Angelo, TX