And pray in the Spirit …
Summary: If we are to pray in the Holy Spirit, we need to have the Holy Spirit in us. How that happens is a simple process, but “simple” is not always easy.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:18a – Doing What Is Right”Ephesians 6:4 – The Curse of Free Will
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Summary: Being a father is a tall order. As humans, we are beset with many hurdles and distractions. Meanwhile, God is our spiritual Father. He is never too busy for you or me.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:4 – The Curse of Free Will”Ephesians 5:3a – What God Thinks
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”Ephesians 4:31 – The Golden Plate
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Summary: Paul gives us a blunt instruction to “get rid” of all things unholy. Before we come before God asking for his favor, we need to examine ourselves carefully.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:31 – The Golden Plate”Ephesians 4:30b – The Day of Redemption
… with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Summary: Paul takes us on a quick journey to his theological playground, where he wrestles with concepts like predestination, faith, and redemption.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:30b – The Day of Redemption”Ephesians 4:30a – The Fast One
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
Summary: Paul’s instruction not to grieve the Holy Spirit is not as hard as it sounds. Our Father loves us and is a forgiving father.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:30a – The Fast One”Ephesians 4:24 – Intro to Part II: All the Work
… put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Summary: Why does it feel like “putting on” this “new self” is a lot of work? The answer, like so many things in life, depends on how you look at it. Looked at correctly, we are not doing any work at all. Instead we are honoring our King, Jesus.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:24 – Intro to Part II: All the Work”Ephesians 3:5b – Nine Words
… as it has now been revealed by the Spirit …
Summary: Looking at the nine words in this passage, we discover a wealth of insight into how God communicates with his Creation.
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:5b – Nine Words”Ephesians 2:18 – Access to God
For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Summary: Paul’s sentence describes how we can gain access to God. To do so we need to reach out through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:18 – Access to God”Spirit of Truth – John 14: 17c
But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
In this passage, Jesus is talking about the Spirit of truth. (The Amplified Bible points out this is the Holy Spirit.) Jesus tells the disciples that they already know the Holy Spirit because he lives with them.
I find the distinction between “with you” and “in you” interesting. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit apparently accompanied Jesus and the disciples. Jesus, being from heaven, was aware of this. The disciples, being from earth, were not.
John’s gospel testifies to the presence of the Spirit many times. John the Baptist sees the Spirit descend on Jesus. Jesus teaches Nicodemus that the Spirit is like the wind. In chapter seven Jesus offers the crowds “living water” which John explains meant the Holy Spirit. In today’s passage, Jesus says, “…you know him… he lives with you … [he] will be in you.”
Continue reading “Spirit of Truth – John 14: 17c”