We are starting in Ephesians in our home group. This is truly a heavenly book. Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesian church around AD60 while he was in prison. Paul had visited Ephesus several years earlier (Acts 18:19). That visit would mark the beginning of a deep and long relationship that Paul would have with the church. Much of Acts 19 and 20 focus on Ephesus. Timothy would also become the pastor of the church which in time gave us First and Second Timothy. John wrote about Ephesus also in Revelation 3, being the church that he likely died among. It would do us well to study this group of people. As is widely known, Ephesians is divided into two parts. Chapters 1-3 reveal God's heavenly work. Chapters 4-6 reveal our heavenly walk.
The letter introduces us to Paul "an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God." Apostle means 'one sent forth with orders.' Very important here to note 'with orders'. Further, the sending was by God's will. He wanted to send him. God had something to say. Can you imagine that? God had something to say to people! And, He has something to say to us. God wants us to know something. And it's a lot.
The letter was written to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus. This greeting alone would give us good footing to see that this letter was written directly to us who are "faithful in Christ Jesus."
The classic greeting from Paul ensues - "Grace to you and peace from God . . " Grace means unmerited favor, though her a better reading would be 'divine enablement'. Paul saw the people who make up His church as living their day to day lives - working, providing for their families, talking, fearing, hurting, eating, sleeping etc. All the hallmarks of the daily human experience. It is here, in this down to earth living, that this comment is made. You, you saint, right where you are in your day, be divinely enabled to walk through your moment with God's enablement - whatever enablement is needed. Hope, courage, power, patience, peace, love etc.
Furthermore, have peace in that moment - your moment. Peace means tranquility, having a heart that is exempt from the rage/havoc of war. A state of untroubled or undisturbed well-being. Right where you are. So, Paul wants the believers to have God's enablement to live their daily lives, every day, and to have God's peace govern their hearts as they live them.
You see, we walk in the world immersed among the earthly masses. God wrote this book to help us see that we are actually a heavenly outpost here on earth. Our life is heavenly - bearing the marks of heaven. Even, right where you are.
