Ephesians: Reading the Bible for Spiritual Transformationنموونە

In Christ

Imagine that you have just been invited to a very special gathering of like-minded friends. The invitation was delivered by word of mouth in an effort to protect the identity of those in attendance. A guide will arrive on the day of the event to escort you to an undisclosed location. Shortly after arriving, a man you have heard rumors about but never met stands up, removes a letter from his coat pocket, and begins to read it aloud. You lean forward in your seat, eyes fixed on the man's lips, not wanting to miss a single word. Deeply personal. Highly instructive. It's as if the author of the letter wrote every word with you in mind.

Perhaps this is what it would have been like to be in attendance when the Apostle Paul's letter was read aloud to the saints in Ephesus. With each spoken word, a common theme begins to bubble up to the surface. Again and again, Paul directs our minds and hearts to the importance of being "in Christ." Below is just a sampling of the many references to what it means for you and me to be "in Christ."

"In Christ," we have been marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit. (See Ephesians 1:13)

"In Christ," we have been shown mercy and love despite being dead in our sin. We have been made alive together with Christ, and it is by grace alone that we have been saved. (See Ephesians 2:4-7)

"In Christ," we have been created for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. (See Ephesians 2:10)

"In Christ," we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith. (See Ephesians 3:11-12)

"In Christ," we have been forgiven, making it possible to put to death our old life of bitterness, wrath, anger, slander, and malice and exchange it for a new life characterized by kindness, tenderness, and being quick to forgive others. (See Ephesians 4:31-32)

"In Christ," we are to be subject to one another out of reverence for Him. (See Ephesians 5:21)

"In Christ," we are made strong, putting on the whole armor of God so that we might stand firm in the face of evil. (See Ephesians 6:10-17)

Life in Christ places Him at the center of all we do and say. In this reading plan, we will marinate together on the Apostle Paul's words to the Church at Ephesus, considering carefully how God might want to transform our identity, our relationships, and our way of life for His glory and the advancement of His Kingdom.

Over the next few days, I encourage you to carve out time to read or listen to Paul's letter to the saints in Ephesus in its entirety. As you do, begin to consider how God might want to use his letter to form, or in many cases reform, your mind, body, and spirit more and more into the image of Christ Jesus?