And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession —to the praise of his glory.
– Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)
Live with Purpose
January 13, 2019 • Jovan Barrington
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Ephesians: Live a Life of Love
Live in Obedience
March 31, 2019 • Jovan Barrington
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. Ephesians 6:7-8 (NIV) In Ephesians 6:1-9, the Apostle Paul addresses the Christian ethics of children, fathers, slaves, and masters. Paul appeals to children to honor their parents because it is right. Fathers are not to frustrate their children but nurture them in the ways of Jesus. Slaves are to respect and obey their masters as though they are serving the Lord who gives rewards and judges what all people do on earth. And finally, masters are to mutually submit to slaves because both slave and master submit to Jesus who shows no favoritism. Paul moves beyond the golden rule in his appeal to Christian ethics in how we are to treat each other. Instead “treat others as you want to be treated.” We are to treat others as we would treat Jesus.
Live in Submission
March 24, 2019 • Jovan Barrington
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 (NIV) Submission is defined as placing oneself under the authority of another. No wonder this passage gets such a bad rap. The word “submit” appears antiquated in the context of marriage. When many read it, what is implied is dominance and oppression. In our relationship with God we are to humbly submit to Him in order to give him honor. Jesus taught and modeled a life of humility and service. “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:26-28