Ephesians: A Study of Faith and PracticeSample

Now that we’ve spent some time observing the text, today we’ll consider how to interpret what it means and apply it to our lives. It’s one thing to list out everything God has done for us; it’s another thing to understand the riches of those blessings; and it’s another thing still to live in light of those truths. We want our observations to lead to understanding and our understanding to lead to transformation.

We tend to think of blessings as things that make our lives easier—health, money, relationships, and so on. While all of these can be blessings in our lives, they pale in comparison to the spiritual blessings we have in Christ. Ultimately, every earthly blessing we possess is temporary. In contrast, our spiritual blessings are fully secure and can never spoil or fade.

Consider how the CSB Study Bible reflects on this passage:

In this majestic section, Paul wrote of the blessings that belong to the church through the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. . . . These blessings include our union with Christ; being seated with him in the heavenlies; and our adoption, redemption, and election. All spiritual gifts and service abilities also flow out of these spiritual blessings that God gives to every believer at the time of salvation.

Because Paul’s eternal future was secure, he knew his hardships were temporary. He might have been in prison then, but one day, he would be in glory! Future hope gives us present joy, even when our circumstances are difficult and painful.

Theologians will often discuss our salvation in past, present, and future terms. We are saved (justification), we are being saved (sanctification), and one day we will finally be saved (glorification).

Justification: God redeemed us by Christ’s blood and adopted us as children. His justification means we are fully free from sin’s penalty.

Sanctification: The Holy Spirit lives inside us presently, continually at work to make us holy. Present grace frees us from sin’s power—we are no longer enslaved to sin. However, we still struggle with sin and live in a world broken by sin.

Glorification: One day, we’ll experience freedom from sin’s presence when future grace leads us into glory.

Although Paul didn’t pen the hymn, he understood the phrase, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!”

Our adoption doesn’t just secure a future inheritance; it’s a present reality. The Holy Spirit lives in us, changing us day by day to increasingly look more like Jesus. While we may still struggle with sin, we’re no longer enslaved to it. We’re now children of God and part of our adoption is a new nature, one that has a new power to obey God. Those who live by the flesh follow their own inclinations and desires, but those who walk by the Spirit follow God’s Word and ways.

Our family resemblance to Jesus also means that we experience suffering. Just as Paul found himself in prison because of his faith, we will experience hardships because of our identity in Christ. As we live by the Spirit, our lives may come in conflict with those who are living by the flesh. Daily, we’ll face the temptation to give into fear and live according to sinful desires. While it may seem easier to go along with the ways of the world, our transformed nature cries out to God, “Lead [me] not into temptation, but deliver [me] from evil!” (Matthew 6:13, ESV)

If you ever wonder if you’re too far gone for grace, let me encourage you with these verses from Ephesians.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight (Ephesians 1:7-8, ESV).

I love that word, lavished; it brings to mind the idea of abundance. I picture arms overflowing with presents or a table overflowing with good things to eat. God has storehouses of grace—He’s not going to run out. This is such good news.

You were created for one purpose and one purpose only—to glorify God forever. Everything about you, from your personality to your gifts and interests (to whether you have curly or straight hair), was designed intentionally by God to reflect His glory to the world. In another of his New Testament letters, Paul wrote, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV). And the Westminster Shorter Catechism sums it up this way: “Q: What is the chief end of man? A: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” You are sealed in Christ through the Spirit to praise the name of your heavenly Father forever. If you ever wonder, Who am I and why am I here? Ephesians 1 tells you clearly: You’re a saint created by God to live to the praise of God’s glory!

Paul closes his one long sentence with a reminder of the Holy Spirit’s seal on your life. Typically, a seal is offered as a guarantee or confirmation. To apply for a driver’s license, I’m not allowed to just use a copy of a birth certificate, I have to have one that has an embossed seal to authenticate the truthfulness of the certificate. In medieval times, a king would press his ring into wax to create an official seal for his decree before it was sent out. Seals serve as a confirmation or proof that something is true.

In this opening benediction, Paul is gazing at salvation as if he’s beholding a masterpiece. He’s looking at it from every angle—stepping back and seeing the entire view, and at the same time zooming in and noticing every important brush stroke. He’s helping us begin to comprehend the incomprehensible work of Christ on our behalf, the good news of the gospel that we first “heard” and then “believed.”

Paul reminds us of the past, present, and future aspects of our salvation. He shows us the blessings of the triune God on our behalf: how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in perfect unity to secure our adoption. He reminds us that our redemption has been fully purchased by Christ’s blood and that forgiveness is freely granted according to the riches of His grace.

These truths are foundational for everything Paul’s going to talk about in the rest of Ephesians. Paul’s letter is a study of faith (what we believe) and practice (how we live out what we believe). Both faith and practice matter, but the order matters too. First, he wants us to understand what God has done on our behalf. Then, he’s going to explain how we live in light of that understanding.

Finish your study today in prayer, asking God to allow these truths to be on your heart and mind as you go about your day. Use these words to guide you:

“Oh, the heaped-up happiness of those whose God is the Lord; a happiness so great and so glorious, it cannot be conceived, and cannot be uttered! All the blessings to this world cannot make us happy, except we have you.” (Tim Chester, Into His Presence: Praying with the Puritans)