Over the Fence: Lessons From EphesusSýnishorn

Day 4 – Confident and Free
Ephesians 3

Chapter 3 of Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus feels almost like a mini intermission before he dives into the core of the letter, which focuses on the importance of unity. The chapter opens with Paul explaining that he has been divinely sent by God to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. He mentions receiving a special revelation—possibly something he referenced in a previously circulated letter among the churches in Asia Minor. In saying this, Paul is gently reminding the church that he has the authority to address the issues they’re facing, offer solutions, and even administer discipline.

Although Paul spent years ministering to and leading the churches in this region, it had likely been a long time since he’d visited them in person. Most of his interaction with them recently had probably been through letters. So before he gets into the heart of the message, he pauses to affirm that his words should carry weight and be taken seriously.

The second half of chapter three is a prayer—shorter than the one we saw in chapter 1—but it serves to wrap up his opening thoughts. These two prayers help mark a transition between chapters 1–3 and chapters 4–6, where Paul begins to speak more directly about how the church must respond to the growing divisions between Jewish and Gentile believers.

Just before this closing prayer, Paul drops a profound statement that would have stunned both Jews and Gentiles:
“In Him (Jesus) and through faith in Him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

This idea would have been foreign to both groups. Jews were used to approaching God only through priests, sacrifices, and ritual atonement. Gentiles, on the other hand, had worshiped Roman and Greek gods—distant, impersonal idols carved from stone or wood. And now, Paul is saying that through Jesus, anyone can approach the living God freely and confidently.

How blessed we are to share in that same privilege! Through faith in Jesus, the Creator of all things invites us into His throne room through prayer. We can approach Him not in fear or shame, but with freedom and confidence. What a gift.

You too have the opportunity to come before God today in that same way—if you’ll put your faith in Jesus. Praise the Lord!

So what?
Have you taken for granted the incredible gift of prayer? Once you’ve placed your faith in Jesus, you can come before the throne of God anytime. What an amazing privilege and advantage we’ve been given through the blood of Jesus. Don’t take it lightly today. Take some time and pray.

DrLevelUp’s XP Boost – Ephesians 3

This passage is a powerful reminder that access to God is not reserved for the elite or the especially holy. It is not about having the right words, a spotless record, or years of religious experience. Through Jesus, anyone, regardless of background, past mistakes, or how messy life feels, can come before God with freedom and confidence. That kind of access would have been shocking to both Jews and Gentiles in Paul’s day, but it is still just as staggering now if we stop long enough to think about it. We are invited into the presence of the Creator of the universe, not with fear but with open hands and an open heart.

There is something incredibly grounding about that truth. It reminds us that we do not have to hide our weaknesses, our doubts, or our struggles. We can bring it all to Him freely. This kind of relationship redefines prayer. It is not a ritual we check off or a performance we put on. It is a lifeline. A place of rest. A daily return to the One who knows us completely and still welcomes us. It is like unlocking a hidden passage in a game, not because we found the secret code but because the door was already opened for us. Let that access change how you live today. Not rushed. Not weighed down. But walking with the steady confidence that you belong.