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Good morning brother, Day three: Ephesians Chapter 6
6:10-20 The Christian life as a war
6:21-24 Final greeting
Thoughts: Ephesians opens with three chapters of doctrine, followed by three chapters of practical application. This final chapter of Paul's letter focuses on specific ways Christians should live. It also summarizes the spiritual tools we are given by God, imagining them as a suit of armor. Paul pulls the same basic ideas from the rest of letter together, showing how Christians should live out their knowledge of what salvation in Christ really means. How is the Christian life a war? Are we daily fighting the good fight of faith?
Paul knows from his own experience that he is in a war. His enemy is the Devil (Satan). Satan will fight against all that God has done by Jesus Christ. He will work as hard as he can to destroy God’s work. The new Christians now enjoy unity and peace. The Devil will try to destroy that. We would all like to live peaceful lives. We would all like a life with no worries. But this is not possible in the world as it is. We need to know that we are in a battle. We need to know our enemy. We need to know how strong he is.
If all you see is the natural world we have no chance to live in the victory of Christ.
We should always have respect for the aged. Honor parents and have respect for authority.
God is calling us to the higher standard of The Gospel in the midst of sufferings, authority, and social issues of the day.
We must stand on the word of God.
Do we realize that we are in a spiritual battle daily?
Soldiers stand ready. It is with the mind that we stand in the LORD.
We are equipped to be victorious in Christ.
As we put on each piece of our spiritual armour, we need to pray. Four times Paul uses the *Greek word for ‘all’. This is what he is saying. Christians should be praying at all times. They should pray about everything that happens. They should pray on all occasions (‘at all times’). Life should be one great prayer to God.
The helmet of salvation is crucial. Protect our heart and mind.
The Christian life as a war.
Man is going to let you down, God will never let you down.
It’s the people closer to us that rub us the wrong way.
We need to have grace for those in authority over us.
Ephesians 6:1 gives instructions for children to obey their parents, and for parents to be careful in how they raise their children. Children who learn respect for proper authority will have a better chance at success in life. And, obedience to parents is the morally right way to behave.
We're ready, obedient with our armor, depending on divine power and can stand against the devil's wiles. Always the believer is to stand because Satan will attack him. You don't need to go find the devil. You deal with the power of God and the armor that you have and God through that will take care of the enemy.
Many plans are in a man’s mind, But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).”
Proverbs 19:21
What does Ephesians chapter 6 mean? Chapter 6 offer four primary points closing out Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus. First, he provides instruction regarding children and parents (Ephesians 6:1–4). Second, he provides instructions for the relationship between masters and servants (Ephesians 6:5–9). Third, Paul discusses the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10–20). Fourth, Paul concludes with final greetings to his readers (Ephesians 6:21–24).
The first section (Ephesians 6:1–4) teaches children to obey their parents. This instruction is based on one of the Ten Commandments (Ephesians 6:2–3). Fathers are not to provoke their children to anger. Instead, they are to raise them according to God's discipline and instruction (Ephesians 6:4).
The second section addresses servants and masters (Ephesians 6:5–9). Servants are to obey their masters with a sincere heart as if serving the Lord (Ephesians 6:5–7). Whatever good they do will be received back (Ephesians 6:8). Masters are to treat their servants in the same way and not threaten them. Masters are to recognize they and their servants have a common Master in heaven that judges fairly (Ephesians 6:9).
The third part (Ephesians 6:10–20) discusses the armor of God. Believers are to be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10) and put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11) to stand against Satan's schemes. Our battle is spiritual, not physical (Ephesians 6:12). This armor allows believers to stand firm in the faith (Ephesians 6:13). It includes the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes with readiness, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:14–17). The Word of God is listed as the one offensive weapon, used both to protect and to strike back against evil (Ephesians 6:17). Believers are to pray at all times, keep alert, and persevere (Ephesians 6:18). Paul also asked his readers to pray for him to speak boldly about Christ (Ephesians 6:19–20).
The final part of this letter (Ephesians 6:21–24) mentions a few final greetings to his readers. Paul says he is sending Tychicus to tell them more about his situation (Ephesians 6:21). His goal was to encourage them during his visit with this letter (Ephesians 6:22).
Paul ends by offering peace, love, and faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 6:23). He ends with his distinctive mention of giving grace to "all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible" (Ephesians 6:24). This love that cannot be corrupted is a true, genuine love that Paul experienced in his time with the Ephesian believers that could not be stopped. It had already spread throughout the entire region and would continue to change lives long after Paul's letter.
Song recommended by Victor.
Thank you for another great week of Zoom Battle Prayer.