In the second half of Ephesians, Paul turns from the privileges of the believer to the responsibilities of the believer. He exhorts his readers to grow in unity and in maturity through the loving exercise of their spiritual gifts (4:1-16). He calls them to walk in the power of the new self and to practice righteousness, truth, self-control, and forgiveness (4:17-32). As God’s beloved children, they are to live in the light and avoid the deeds of darkness (5:1-21). Their relationships as wives and husbands (5:22-33), children and parents (6:1-4), and slaves and masters (6:5-9) are to be transformed by the love of Christ. Paul goes on to say that they are to stand firm in the spiritual warfare and use the weapons of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the word of God, and prayer (6:10-20).
READING of EPHESIANS 5
Prayer:
Lord, I want to imitate You as Your beloved child, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved me and gave Himself up for me, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Meditation passage for today: verses 1-2, 8-9, 15-21
