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TRUTH that Ephesians teaches |
ACTION that Ephesians invites |
1. Instructions for growing in piety
Spoken simply, piety equals living in the way that GOD wishes us to live. Few books speak so clearly and succinctly about this theme as Ephesians does. Here piety is exhorted in terms of conduct, motivations and example. Pious comportment takes its model from GOD Himself, especially from his full revelation in Jesus Christ. |
4:1
Understand that your conduct is the most effective sermon that you can preach. Live a life that manifests the truth of the gospel consistently and irrefutably.
5:1,2
Model your life taking Jesus as your example, imitating the LORD in front of everyone. Understand that He is the perfect model of the love that GOD requires of us.
5:18-20
Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Let your lips continually sprout a song of praise and thanksgiving, so that you may have a constant flow of the Holy Spirit in your life.
6:18-20
Give yourself over to prayer with constancy and faith. Allow GOD to change the prayers of your life into a life of prayer. |
2. Steps toward holiness
A major facet of piety is living a life separated from the ways of the world. Jesus emphasized this when he said that, even when we live in the world, we shouldn't be of the world. |
4:17
Be careful to avoid and reject the worldly way of thinking. Understand that thinking as the world does will lead inevitably to sensuality and impurity. |
3. Keys for pious relations
Ephesians has much to say about the development of pious relations. This is one of the principal themes of the New Testament. Our relations with others should be of love, trust, unselfishness and solicitude for each other. In other words, Ephesians exhorts us to relate with others as Jesus relates with the Father and with us. |
4:25-27
Diligently practice sincerity and truthfulness in your relations with others. Confront anger with rapidity, not allowing it to influence the way that you treat others.
5:21; 6:4
Maintain an unselfish and attentive attitude in your family relations. Understand that this evidences Christ's kingdom in your home.
6:5-8
Don't be one of those who only knows how to flatter others! Serve the LORD in everything that you do. Recognize that it's the LORD who has assigned this position of responsibility to you.
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4. Christian life and subjects of conversation
An appropriate way of expressing yourself is crucial in Christian life. The Book of Proverbs says that life and death depend on the tongue. How important it is that we know that our language should be spiritually inspired. |
4:29
Watch how you speak and what you say. Reject false attitudes; and develop a merciful and compassionate attitude towards others.
5:3-7
Avoid and reject any impure language or impure conduct; it contradicts your profession of faith in Christ. |
5. Instructions for obtaining the victory
Ephesians sheds light on the nature of the spiritual battle that we face daily. Your great combat is against spiritual forces, not against human beings. Great is the protection and resources with which GOD has provided us to confront this enemy. |
6:10-13
Always be ready for spiritual combat. Remember that your demonic enemies are behind much of that which tries to harm you.
6:14-17
Every day, consciously cover yourself with the armor that GOD puts at your disposal. Learn and understand the nature of this divine protection. |
6. Keys for a wise life
Perhaps it's wisdom that we need the most to organize the use of your time. |
5:15
Use your time wisely, and don't waste it. Be assured that you will have to give account of how you have used the gift of the time that GOD has granted you. |
7. Keys for a generous life
Unselfishness is manifested above all as generosity. |
4:28
Think on how you can give and not on how you can receive. |
My Redeemer > Bible > Ephesians > Truth in Action
