Chosen and Holy in Him
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It is common for Christians to feel as though we don’t really belong. Some of us have been forcibly removed from our homes because of our faith in Jesus.
Filled with the Spirit
We have the Word and the Spirit to help us live as children of light.
Put on the Light
Continuing his “putting off, putting on” paradigm, Paul contrasts light and darkness. In Christ we are now light (New Testament scholar Peter T. O’ Brien notes that at conversion, it is our lives, and not our surroundings, that are changed from darkness to light)
Called to Be Different
Ephesus was a centre for many things. Like many pagan cities in the Mediterranean world of the first century, it was a centre of idolatry, which was often associated with temple prostitution.
Let’s Imitate Christ
Before proceeding to discuss the transformed Christian life, Paul touches on a central dynamic of this life.
Motivated By Christ
Again, Paul deals with the tongue, described by James as “a world of evil among the parts of the body” that often “corrupts the whole body” (James 3:6).
Pursue Godliness
Believers are called to discard our old selves and put on our new selves. This has significant implications for our behaviour and relationships, as conveyed by the word “Therefore”, which links the previous section with this section (Ephesians 4:25).
Putting on Our New Self
From the glorious heights of the heavenly places (Ephesians 1–3) to the promising potential of the church (Ephesians 4:1–16), Paul now descends to the reality of the sinful world.
God’s Gift to the Church
Paul goes on to describe what God has done for His Son through His awesome power. He raised Christ from the dead, elevated Him to the throne at the Father’s right hand, and “placed all things under his feet” (Ephesians 1:22).