Ephesians 6:21-24 says,...
Today's verses are Ephesians 6:21-24, which read,
But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.
Paul ends this letter to the Christians in the church in Ephesus. He is sending a convert of the faith named Tychicus who will bring them word of his condition and a ministry update. Tychicus was with Paul in prison in Rome during his first imprisonment. He was also with Paul when he took the great gift to Jerusalem to aid the persecuted saints. Now he is being sent out by Paul again to different churches that have started with messages from Paul. He is definitely one of Paul's right hand men who has spent a considerable amount of time with him. Paul has full confidence in sending him to fulfill this task.
Paul prays that there would be peace among the brethren. He prays that a love would be among them that comes from a shared faith they have in God and the Lord Jesus Christ. He also prays that a grace would be among the brethren as they love after the example of the incorruptible love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peace, love with faith, and grace among the church that comes from God and the Lord Jesus Christ is his parting prayer for the church in Ephesus.
It is very easy for there to be the opposite in a local body of believers. It is easy for there to be discord rather than peace, disregard rather than love with faith, and distrust rather than grace between the people who gather in the midst of the four walls of the church. All those "dis" words come into play when we take our eyes and actions off of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. God gave us the Lord Jesus Christ and through Him we can have true peace and true love with faith and true grace. Once we have it then it needs to be practiced and protected among us to continue to give the God who gives grace through the cross of Christ honor and glory.
What do I need to do today to practice and protect the peace, love with faith, and grace that God has given to me? What do I need to do today to practice and protect that peace, love with faith, and grace among the brethren that I gather with? If we see discord or disregard or distrust, may we be reminded that those actions are coming from and being fueled by another author, Satan. Therefore, put on the full armor of God today and everyday.
Today ends our study in the book of Ephesians. We ended up with 36 devotionals starting back in November of last year and now we head on to the book of Colossians as we follow in the order in which Paul wrote this letters. Let's pray.
"Lord, we end on the Lord's Day with the end of a letter instructing the brethren to have peace, love with faith, and grace all tied to You and given by You to have among us. You give us the example of a man, a brother, that Paul had in which there was peace, love with faith, and grace. May we realize this reality in our church as we practice and protect what You have given us to share with each other. Amen."
Pastor Adam
But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.
Paul ends this letter to the Christians in the church in Ephesus. He is sending a convert of the faith named Tychicus who will bring them word of his condition and a ministry update. Tychicus was with Paul in prison in Rome during his first imprisonment. He was also with Paul when he took the great gift to Jerusalem to aid the persecuted saints. Now he is being sent out by Paul again to different churches that have started with messages from Paul. He is definitely one of Paul's right hand men who has spent a considerable amount of time with him. Paul has full confidence in sending him to fulfill this task.
Paul prays that there would be peace among the brethren. He prays that a love would be among them that comes from a shared faith they have in God and the Lord Jesus Christ. He also prays that a grace would be among the brethren as they love after the example of the incorruptible love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peace, love with faith, and grace among the church that comes from God and the Lord Jesus Christ is his parting prayer for the church in Ephesus.
It is very easy for there to be the opposite in a local body of believers. It is easy for there to be discord rather than peace, disregard rather than love with faith, and distrust rather than grace between the people who gather in the midst of the four walls of the church. All those "dis" words come into play when we take our eyes and actions off of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. God gave us the Lord Jesus Christ and through Him we can have true peace and true love with faith and true grace. Once we have it then it needs to be practiced and protected among us to continue to give the God who gives grace through the cross of Christ honor and glory.
What do I need to do today to practice and protect the peace, love with faith, and grace that God has given to me? What do I need to do today to practice and protect that peace, love with faith, and grace among the brethren that I gather with? If we see discord or disregard or distrust, may we be reminded that those actions are coming from and being fueled by another author, Satan. Therefore, put on the full armor of God today and everyday.
Today ends our study in the book of Ephesians. We ended up with 36 devotionals starting back in November of last year and now we head on to the book of Colossians as we follow in the order in which Paul wrote this letters. Let's pray.
"Lord, we end on the Lord's Day with the end of a letter instructing the brethren to have peace, love with faith, and grace all tied to You and given by You to have among us. You give us the example of a man, a brother, that Paul had in which there was peace, love with faith, and grace. May we realize this reality in our church as we practice and protect what You have given us to share with each other. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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