TUESDAY April 13, 2021

A Grand Epistle

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 1:1

The book of Ephesians is one of Paul’s prison epistles and believed to be the grandest epistle written in his life. The prison epistles refer to four letters written by the Apostle Paul while under house arrest in Rome. The other three epistles are Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. Paul speaks to believers in practical terms and on a very personal basis. His letter applies to individual Christians around the entire world today.

William Hendriksen said of the book of Ephesians, “it is full to the brim of thoughts and doctrine sublime and momentous.” Whereas, Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s assessment of the book is “the divinest composition of man.” C. H. Dodd called Ephesians “The crown of Paulinism.” John Stott states, “Ephesians is a marvelously concise yet comprehensive, summary of the Christian good news and its implications. Nobody can read it without being moved by wonder and worship, and challenged to consistency of life.”

The book of Ephesians is such a joy to my life because of all the riches the Apostle Paul expounds to us––the Church. In the first three chapters, he tells us exactly our position in Christ, and who we are in Him. Then we learn our purpose in Christ and who we are supposed to be doing for Him. Unfortunately, there are leaders in some churches who place people in positions of service before they know who they are in Christ. Believers need a time to grow in Christ before serving in the ministry.

As we study the book of Ephesians together, I want to minister to you as the Church of Jesus Christ––to know your position in Christ. There will be many great spiritual insights for us to glean from.

From eternity to eternity, the beauty of God is pervasive and practical. Ask him to open the eyes of your heart (Ephesians 1:18). Give your life to this quest –seeing and savoring more and more of the happifying beauty of God.
~John Piper~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!