Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
— has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Summary: Paul has some strong words for us in this passage. Looked at in the wrong way, they can seem like a death sentence for us all. Looked at through the lens of Jesus’ love for us, the meaning becomes clear. We need Jesus!
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:5b – Who Then Can Be Saved?”For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater …
Summary: What is an idolater, and what does it matter? These are the questions that Paul prompts us to ask today.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:5a – Ignoring Dad”… but rather thanksgiving.
Summary: Paul has a simple instruction for us, when we talk, we should speak words of thanksgiving. Finding something to be thankful for can be a challenge. Fortunately, when we step back and take a look at the big picture, our reasons to be thankful become clear.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:4b – Worse Than Death”Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place …
Summary: The self-checkout line at the grocery provides a metaphor for today’s passage. Paul tells us what language to avoid, and in doing so, he points to the things we should “check out” to make sure they reflect well on our relationship with God.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:4a – Self-Checkout”[But among you there must not be even a hint] … of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
Summary: Paul sets the goal for the Christian life impossibly high. Yet, he seems to expect that God’s people are capable of becoming a “holy people.” Fortunately, what is impossible for man is possible for God.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:3c – The Power of Believing”[But among you there must not be even a hint of] … or of any kind of impurity
Summary: Paul’s admonition to expel any kind of impurity leads us to ponder what an impurity is and how we get rid of it.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:3b – More Jesus”But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,
Summary: People argue about all sorts of things, including morality and what it means to be “moral.” Paul tells us to avoid “even a hint” of immorality. Unpacking that concept in Christian terms opens the door to important insights about God.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:3a – What God Thinks”… just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Summary: Why was it necessary for Jesus to die on the cross? Is it possible for us to fully understand the answer to that question? Probably not, but Scripture provides us with many clues.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:2b – The Second Chance”[Follow God’s example,] therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love,
Summary: Understanding what love is requires a knowledge of the different kinds of love. When we understand that, we can better understand the way of love that Paul wants us to follow.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:1b-2a – The Way of Love”Follow God’s example …
Summary: When we think about God, we find ourselves drawn to the God revealed in the Bible. At first glance, the Old Testament God seems different than the New Testament God. But as we get to know God, we find that he is the same in the Old and the New.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:1a – Wrath & Patience”