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Tag: Letter to the Ephesians

In Him we have redemption

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Ephesians, What’s new?.

What does it mean that in Him we have redemption (Ephesians 1:7)?

In Ephesians 1 we learn about our incredible spiritual riches in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) and how God works to provide these riches for us—including our redemption: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us” (Ephesians 1:7–8).

In Ephesians 1 Paul encourages believers at Ephesus by explaining their new identity in Christ. God gave us that new identity, and we learn in the following chapter that we receive God’s grace by faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). This new identity in Christ is characterized by our having every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

Notably, all three Persons of the Trinity played a role in giving us these blessings. God the Father chose us to be in Christ to be holy and blameless before Him (Ephesians 1:4). He also predetermined or predestined that we would be adopted as sons through the work of Christ (Ephesians 1:5). God the Son also worked so that we could have a new identity. In Him we have redemption and forgiveness through His shed blood (Ephesians 1:7). God the Holy Spirit seals believers as God’s guarantee or pledge that we do indeed have eternal life (Ephesians 1:13–14).

This new identity in Christ is made possible by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and it is accomplished by the work of Christ on the cross. In Him we have redemption, which Paul identifies as the forgiveness of our sins according to God’s rich grace given to us. The term redemption is translated from the Greek apolutrosin, which means “the act of fully setting free.” Paul explains the need for that redemption in the following chapter.

In Ephesians 2, we learn that we need redemption because we were dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). We were physically alive, but we were in bondage to sin and walked enslaved to the world, the devil, and our own flesh (Ephesians 2:2–3). Ultimately, we were deserving of God’s wrath. We owed a debt we could never repay on our own. We were enemies of God (Romans 5:10), as Paul explains elsewhere. But in Christ we have redemption (Ephesians 1:7). He died on the cross to set us free. By God’s grace through our believing in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9) we are set free from the bondage of sin (Romans 8:2) and from the wrath and judgment of God (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9).

Paul writes to make sure that believers understand that in Christ we have redemption—in Him we are fully set free. Furthermore, God has accomplished this for His own glory (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14). We know that, if God has staked His own glory on our having redemption in Him, that God has made certain that we are fully set free. Jesus explained that the one who believes in Him has eternal life (John 6:47). Peter identifies at least eleven ways we can be certain that the redemption we have in Christ has been accomplished (1 Peter 1:3–5). Paul affirms to the Colossians that in Him we have redemption, which is the forgiveness of our sins (Colossians 1:14). And if there is any doubt in our minds as to the security of our redemption in Christ, Paul reminds us that we are sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).

Though we are still surrounded by the consequences of sin—even in our own bodies—one day we will experience every aspect of being free from sin. In Him we have redemption. In Him we have been fully set free.

Renewed in the spirit of your mind

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Ephesians, What’s new?.

What does it mean to “be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23)?

In a challenging teaching on holy living (Ephesians 4:17—5:21), the apostle Paul emphasized the importance of the believer’s mental outlook. He reminded the Ephesian Christians what they had learned in their relationship with Christ: “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness“ (Ephesians 4:22–24, ESV).The phrase be renewed is derived from the Greek verb (ananeousthai), meaning “to be or become reestablished in a new and often improved manner.” By entering a relationship with Jesus, the believer is reestablished in an improved standing as a “new creation” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). At the same time, Christians are daily, continually being renewed by the indwelling Spirit of God: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).“The spirit of your mind” refers to the believer’s thoughts and attitudes. In the New Living Translation, Ephesians 4:23 says, “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” The mind is the arena where the Holy Spirit constantly works on renewal. Paul urged the Romans, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).Spending time daily in fellowship with Jesus Christ is vital to being renewed in the spirit of our minds. We are renewed in our internal nature as we “learn to know [our] Creator and become like him” (Colossians 3:10, NLT). In fact, this is the believer’s destiny: “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:29, NLT; see also John 13:15; Philippians 2:5).The more we know Jesus, who reflects the very nature of God (Philippians 2:6), the better we can see and understand the heavenly Father (see Colossians 1:15). “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word” (Hebrews 1:3). As we follow in Christ’s footsteps and arm ourselves with the same attitude He had, our lives become a pleasing “sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:21; Peter 2:21; 1 Peter 4:1).God’s Word is essential to being renewed in the spirit of our minds. Jesus prayed to the Father for all believers, “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth” (John 17:17, NLT). As we develop in our understanding of the truth in Scripture, our minds are renewed and transformed by God’s Spirit, and our lives reflect that change.“Physically, you are what you eat, but spiritually, you are what you think,” writes Warren Wiersbe in The Bible Exposition Commentary (Vol. 2, Victor Books, 1996, p. 40). As we meditate on God’s Word “day and night” and “delight in the law of the Lord,” we become firmly reestablished “like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (Psalm 1:1–3, NLT).Prayer is also necessary to be renewed in the spirit of our minds. Paul prayed for the Colossians to be filled “with the knowledge of [God’s] will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9–10). After David confessed his sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, he prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10, ESV).As you seek the Lord in relationship with Jesus, in the truth of His Word and in prayer, you are renewed in the spirit of your mind: “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7, NLT). Renewal brings a new mindset of trust, peace, and humble obedience (Isaiah 26:3; Romans 8:5; Philippians 4:8–9; Colossians 3:1–2).

We do not wrestle against flesh and blood

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Ephesians, What’s new?.

What does it mean that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12)?

In Ephesians 6:12, the apostle Paul introduces the believers in Ephesus to the reality of spiritual warfare in the Christian life: “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, NLT) (Geneva 1560: and against the worldly governors). Before discussing the armor Christians must wear in combat and their weapons of warfare, Paul stresses that the battle is spiritual, not physical. We do not fight against flesh and blood means we do not face a physical enemy but a spiritual one.

Christian warfare consists of a spiritual strategy fought with supernatural weapons against an unseen enemy. The opposition is real but not visible to the naked eye. Beneath the surface, an invisible spiritual battle is raging. We fight this war not with tangible weapons like guns and ammunition, nor with bodily defenses such as kicks and punches, but by daily putting on the whole armor of God, always praying, standing firm in the Word of God, and staying alert (Ephesians 6:13–18).

If we do not fight against flesh and blood, whom are we wrestling with, and who are our spiritual enemies? Paul named these opponents as the devil and his schemes, the rulers, authorities, and “powers of this dark world,” and “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10, 12). His description seems to indicate a pecking order of evil beings who do Satan’s bidding to oppose God’s will on earth.

The apostle Peter also warned believers to remain vigilant against the devil: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8–9).

We do not fight against flesh and blood means that our enemies are not human but demonic. Many in Paul’s Ephesian audience had previously dabbled in the occult (Acts 19:18–20) and would have been familiar with the devil and his evil forces.

The Bible calls the devil, or Satan, “the prince of this world” (John 12:31), “the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:2), “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4), and “the accuser” of believers (Revelation 12:10). This is our true enemy.

Paul says, in our fight with this enemy, we must be aware of his tactics (2 Corinthians 2:11). And in Ephesians 6:11–12, Paul mentions three main traits of Satan’s spiritual forces. First, they are powerful. They have authority to rule in the world. Second, they are evil. These wicked spiritual enemies use their power to wreak destruction. They are associated with darkness and not light, wickedness and not good. And, third, they are shrewd. They know how to scheme and strategize. They are so skilled at deception that sometimes they come disguised as angels of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) or wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15).

So how can we, in our human weakness, expect to stand against such strong and cunning enemies? Brute strength won’t win the battle. Humanly speaking, victory is impossible. In our struggle against the devil and his scheming forces, Paul says we must “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). It is our job to stand aside and let God fight the battle for us, and only then are we sure to win.

Only God can strengthen, defend, and deliver us from the power, wickedness, and craft of the devil (2 Timothy 4:17–18). Our enemy may be strong, but God is stronger (1 John 4:4). God makes available to us the same mighty power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and seated Him at God’s right hand in heaven (Ephesians 1:19–20). Our enemies are defeated through Christ’s victory over them on the cross (Colossians 2:15).

When David came up against the Philistine giant, he recognized that his fight was not ultimately against flesh and blood. Goliath taunted David and cursed his God, saying, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks? . . . Come here . . . and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” (1 Samuel 17:43–44). But David, trusting in the strength of the Lord and His mighty power, answered, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17:45).

“For the battle is the LORD’s!” declared David (1 Samuel 17:47), and so ought we as we engage in spiritual warfare. Our fight is not against flesh and blood. The victory depends on the Lord, not us.

Seated in heavenly places

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Ephesians, What’s new?.

What does it mean to be seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6)?

From a human perspective, the idea of sitting in heavenly places is challenging to grasp, especially on this side of eternity. Nevertheless, this is the experience of everyone who is redeemed by God’s grace: “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).

Astonishing as it may sound, Christians are united with Jesus Christ in His resurrected life (Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:4). The apostle Paul prays for the Ephesians to understand “the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:19–20, NLT). A little later, in Ephesians 2:4–10, Paul explains that the greatness of God’s incredible power toward believers is rivaled by the magnitude of His love, mercy, and grace.

Before salvation, we were spiritually dead in our sins because our “sinful nature was not yet cut away,” but then God made us “alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins” (Colossians 2:13, NLT; see also 1 Corinthians 15:22). Our transgression no longer separates us from God (Colossians 1:21–22; Romans 8:38–39) because we now share in the life of Christ (Romans 8:11). Since Christ is seated “at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms,” so too are we in a spiritual sense. Since we have been “raised to new life with Christ,” we can now set our sights “on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand” (Colossians 3:1, NLT). Physically, we still live in the natural world. But God, by His great power, and because of His immense love, mercy, and grace, raised us from our spiritually dead status to new life in Christ. We now sit in heavenly places.

To sit in heavenly places is more than a figure of speech. It is a spiritual reality for the believer. Because of our union with Christ, we reap the benefit of His position of divine authority (see Psalm 110:1; cf. Acts 2:34–35). He is our Head and our Representative. Peter taught, “Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority” (1 Peter 3:22, NLT; see also Philippians 2:9–11). The gates of hell will not overcome the church (Matthew 16:18; see also 1 John 2:13) because we are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37; see also 1 John 5:4–5) who gives us the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Our spiritual seat in the heavenly realms is a position of high honor, much like being seated at the VIP table of a Presidential luncheon. We have been given the royal privilege of being enthroned with the Son and will one day partake of His glory. If we let this spiritual truth sink in, it will change the way we think and live. Because we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, our position in heaven is secure, but we must never forget that we don’t deserve our place there. We did nothing to earn it, but God graces us with it anyway (Ephesians 2:8; 4:7; 2 Corinthians 3:5).

As we sit in heavenly places while still living on earth, we have access through Jesus Christ to all of heaven’s privileges and spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3–14). The power of God that raised Jesus from the dead is available and working on our behalf as we walk in this world (Ephesians 1:18–19; Acts 17:28; 1 John 4:9). We have the whole armor of God at our disposal to help us “stand against the devil’s schemes” and stand firm “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:11–12).

Without spot or wrinkle

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Ephesians, What’s new?.

What does it mean that the church should be without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27)?

In a discussion about marriage using Christ and the church as a metaphor, Paul writes of Christ’s sacrifice in Ephesians 5:25. He then explains the purpose of Christ’s death on behalf of the church: “‭‭He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault” (verse 27, ‭NLT‬‬).

‬‬‬ Ephesians 5:27 is part of broader instructions given to husbands, who are directed to love their wives in the same way that Christ loved the church—with a self-sacrificing love (verse 25). Paul explains that Christ’s sacrifice was intended to “make her [the church] holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word” (verse 26). Having been cleansed, the church will be “glorious . . ., without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish” (verse 26, NLT).

When Scripture states that the church should be without spot, wrinkle, or blemish, it signifies the church’s complete holiness, as the remainder of Ephesians 5:27 shows: “She will be holy and without fault” (NLT). Here, spots, wrinkles, and blemishes symbolize impurity—not a physical deformity, but a spiritual impurity caused by sin. The church is already positionally holy through Christ’s perfect sacrifice. She is presently being sanctified, progressively set apart from the power and practice of sin, and in eternity she will be freed from the presence of sin. All these transformative processes are achieved through Christ.

It is evident in Ephesians 5 that the church holds a special place in Christ’s heart. Regardless of the mishaps and imperfections of the church, Christ’s work of sanctification remains steadfast. Those who are concerned about the many issues faced by the church today should recognize that Christ continues to work, even in the chaos. He intimately knows His bride and is committed to completing the work He has started.

Christ’s sanctifying work also has implications at the individual level. As children of God, we are positionally sanctified. We are currently being transformed to become more like Jesus, and we must remember this as we engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer and feeding on the Word. We can be confident that the Son lavishes unconditional love on His bride. Just as a devoted husband would not dream of abandoning his wife, Jesus will not forsake His bride or the promises He made to her. This assurance provides us with ample motivation to lead a holy life, knowing that God is actively working in us to conform us to His image (Philippians 2:13)

The love that Christ has for His church and His commitment to cleanse her of spots and blemishes should serve as a model for our marriages, especially for husbands. The husband loves his wife with the aim of “sanctifying” her. He should care for her, keep her best interests in mind, and be genuinely concerned about her growth in all aspects, including her spiritual well-being.

Put off the old man

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in Ephesians, What’s new?.

What does it mean to put off the old man (Ephesians 4:22)?

In Ephesians 4:22, Paul references putting off or laying aside the old man: “Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (NKJV). The old man, or the old self, is a common phrase that biblical writers utilize in other contexts as well (Colossians 3:9–10; Romans 6:6; Hebrews 12:1–3). In Ephesians, Paul explains truths in chapters 1—3 and then explains how one should live in light of such truths in chapters 4—6.

In order to understand the logical conclusion of putting off the old man, one must understand the truths found in the first three chapters, focusing mainly on chapter 2:1–10. Ephesians 1 provides a summary of the roles of the Trinity in the redemption of mankind. Chapter 1 concludes with Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians, which mainly focuses on a true knowledge for the Ephesians. Chapter 2 begins with explaining the effect of the gospel on the believer. Chapter 3 explores the community effect of the gospel, namely, the unity of the Gentile and Jew through Christ.

Ephesians 2:1–10 is particularly important when exploring the imperative in Ephesians 4:22. Paul explains that by nature everyone is a child of wrath, dead in trespasses and sins, hostile to God, and destined to experience the wrath of God (Ephesians 2:1–3). In Ephesians 2:4 is one of the most meaningful conjunctions found in Scripture: “but because of His great love for us.” All humanity is by nature children of wrath, but God provided a way to become children of God by grace, through faith. Ephesians 2:10 shows that those who believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ are created anew; they are God’s handiwork with the purpose of doing good works.

In this section of Ephesians, the old man and new man are clearly distinguishable. The old man is found in Ephesians 2:1–3 while the new man is explained in Ephesians 2:4–10. Paul’s imperative in Ephesians 4:22 is based upon these truths. An example of the old self is provided also in Ephesians 4:17–19, and an example of the new self is provided in Ephesians 4:24.

Ephesians 4:17 begins the discussion of the Christian walk, or how the Christian ought to live. Paul asserts in Ephesians 4:20 that the Christian should not live like those mentioned in verses 17–19 but should live according to truth found in Jesus Christ. To do this, one must put off the old man. The NASB translates the word for “put off” as “lay aside.” It shows the idea of doing away with something, taking it off and putting it down. A proper image may be when one changes clothes in the morning. One puts off or lays aside the old clothes and puts on the new clothes.

Paul commands the Ephesians to stop living as the old man and instead put on the new man. He points to the means for putting on the new self in Ephesians 4:23, namely, that one be renewed in the spirit of the mind. Similar language is utilized in Romans 12:1–2 as Paul commands the church in Rome to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This renewal is in direct opposition to being conformed to this world.

God created the new self “in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:24, NASB). It is by truth and a pursuit of righteousness that one must renew the mind. The Bible is that source of truth (Proverbs 2:6; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). As one renews the mind in truth, one is equipped to put off the old self, put on the new self, and “live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1).