We continued in our study of the book of Ephesians. It was good for the soul to read these portions in the springtime, when we all are focused on getting plants in the ground to be enjoyed.

The week began with reading Ephesians 3:17b-21.

As I read the Scripture portion, I underlined words that stood out: rooted, grounded, know.

Only as we are rooted and grounded in love will we be able to know the love of Christ.

This is why Paul makes such a big deal of this, bringing it to our attention.

“Paul is not simply wanting us to have an intellectual knowledge of Christ’s love, but to know it as a conviction of our souls because we have personally experienced it.”

(from Chosen by The Daily Grace Co.)

Rooted = firmly implanted (to fix secured). I have a tooth implant. It was a process of building up the bone, anchoring in a post, and then the tooth was screwed into the post. It is secure and not going anywhere.

Grounded = sensible and down to earth.

As we are rooted and grounded, we are anchored and our thinking becomes sensible. We are secure and filter our thinking through God’s Word. And that is how we come to experience God’s love by experience – day by day, throughout our life situations.

God desires for us to know His love not just intellectually but experientially. He wants us to know that He loves us. Has there been a time in your life that you knew God’s love by experience and not just intellectually?

“He is our foundation, our whole life and identity is built on His love for us.”

(from Chosen by The Daily Grace Co.)

May we be rooted and grounded in His love more deeply each day!

~*~*~

We moved onto Ephesians 4:4-16. The study points out these verses were likely a creed for the early church.

This portion gives us the foundational truths of the church and our faith. We have been called to be one church and yet, we each are individual and unique.

We are all given spiritual gifts:

• so that the church is equipped for ministry
• so that the body will be built up
• so that there will be unity as we grow in our faith and knowledge of God
• so that we will not be deceived by false teaching
• so that we will be made mature in Him.

There is a cause and effect, or as the study states – “a domino effect.”

“It is a beautiful picture of God pouring out His grace on us to make disciples who make disciples”

(from Chosen by The Daily Grace Co.)

The study asks: We are called to be disciples who make disciples. Who has poured into your life? What life can you pour into?

May our hearts be filled with gratitude for those who have poured into our lives.

~*~*~

The last portion we read was Ephesians 4:25-32.

Here we are reminded of how we are to interact and respond with others.

The list of behaviors is daunting – we are not to lie, be angry, steal, no unwholesome words, only speak that which will edify others. No bitterness or malice.

We are to be a people who are kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

Easier said than done some days. The heading in my Bible stated: “The walk of the believer as indwelt by the Spirit.”

And that is so it. We will only be able to be this way, to live this way, as we are indwelt by the Spirit. As we remember that Christ has forgiven us will we then be able to become like Him.

The study asks: This passage deals with our sanctification in relationships. Why can relationships be such a difficult are for us to be Christ-like in?

Relationships can be challenging. They can be difficult, in my opinion, because they often will raise up the emotions which trigger sinful responses. Relationships push our emotions, and our emotions can be hard to rein in.

What do you think?

May our prayer ever be: “Father, make me more like Jesus!”

~*~*~

Rooted and grounded in love,
we become disciples who make disciples,
as we pray to be more like Jesus.

 

Photo 1: by Stefan Heinemann on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Beatriz Moraes on Unsplash

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