Scripture
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.

Observation
We are to speak truthfully to one another. Anger must go; nobody should let the sun go down while they are still angry.

Thieves must steal no longer, but work for a living instead.

All forms of bitterness, anger, slander and malice should give way to kindness, compassion and forgiveness.

We must imitate God, living lives marked by love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.

Application
Following Jesus means that our lives should be transformed at the most basic level. Our relationships and attitudes to others will be radically reorganised by the power of God’s love.

The commandments Paul gives in this section are impossible in human strength alone. The good news is that we have the grace of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.

We cannot expect the Lord to do all the work, however. He will not change us if we refuse His grace. The christian life is a process of learning to allow the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin, and then repenting daily of those sins. It is a partnership in which we co-operate with the Spirit’s sanctifying work.

Prayer
Thank you Lord for the grace to change my life. Amen.

Scripture

As a prisoner for the Lord then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

Observation

Paul urges us to live a life in accordance with our calling as followers of Jesus Christ. We should be humble and gentle with one another, making every effort to live in unity under the one God and Father of us all.

God has given gifts to the church- apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers- to prepare God’s people for service and to build up the Body of Christ in unity and maturity.

When we become truly mature we will be growing into Christ and not listening to the vain teaching and scheming of men.

Application

We must learn to live together as christians in genuine unity. For too long, the church has been mired by denominationalism, by envy, by competitiveness, and by false teaching.

If we take this chapter seriously, we will learn to love one another regardless of worship styles and the ways we express our faith.

Most of what divides christians is the superficial and irrelevant. We must learn to be people of love.

True ministers- apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers- will be working to bring the church into unity. Only the false ministers will use their positions to divide the flock of Christ,

Prayer

Holy Spirit work in my life so that I can love my brothers and sisters. Show me how I can break down barriers to people from other churches and traditions. Amen.

Scripture

Now unto him who is able to do immensely more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen

Observation

Paul prays for the church in Ephesus and for the universal church. He prays for power through the Spirit that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith.

He prays that we will dwell in love and know the unknowable- the dimensions of Christ’s love, and in that to be filled with the measure of the fullness of God.

Application

Christ’s love for us is in a sense unknowable- it is infinite, unending, unfailing, not bound in any possible way. The love of Christ is not just infinite in extent but also in quality. The human mind has no way of expressing or even understanding the implication of God’s love for us. Paul wants us to know this experientially and not just as a doctrine.

This is something that we best experience in community, “together with all the saints.” We understand the love of God as we experience it in the love of other people.

Knowing the love of Christ is not just receiving but also giving. The love of Christ is poured out upon us. How can we understand this love until we begin to love like He does, pouring love out on others, especially the ones we find least likeable?

Prayer

Lord grant me the power to grasp the height and depth, the breadth and length of your love, living in the power of love in all my relationships. Amen.