The Apostle Paul was under Roman imprisonment during the time that he wrote this letter to those believers of “the Way” at Ephesus. This was a highly civilized port city with the acceptance of many cultures and gods. Not long after this letter was circulated, Emperor Nero came into reign and began heavily persecuting those who called themselves Christians.
Today, we are living in an environment of acceptance unless you claim to be a Christian. Then our values as Christ-followers are challenged. We are in need of strength and courage from God’s Word to stay the course. May these words in Ephesians give you that security.
Paul packs a lot of intensity in his sentences so I have given some space for impact.
Ephesians 1:13-14
When you heard the Word of Truth,
The gospel of your salvation,
and you believed in HIM,
you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
who is the guarantee of our inheritance
until we acquire possession of it,
To the praise of HIS GLORY.
The Apostle John in his later years wrote this:
“But to all who did receive HIM, who believed in HIS name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, BUT BY GOD.”
I John 1:12,13
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