Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a sublime piece of Christian literature. It contains profound and penetrating insights.
The apostle writes with a sense of wonder at the enormity of the power and grace of God. He piles adjectives on top of one another (1:19; 3:18) and builds up monuments of nouns (1:21; 4:31).
At times, lost for words, he repeats himself (‘the grace with which he has graced us’, 1:6). At the same time, he expresses the most practical injunctions (‘tell the truth’, 4:25).
On the other hand, he also deals with practical, down-to-earth issues–don’t get drunk, speak the truth, work hard, don’t steal, don’t grow angry without cause, get rid of all bitterness and malice, be kind to one another, forgive one another, obey your parents, nurture your children (Ephesians 4:25-32; 5:18; 6:1-4).
This is a book that will lift you to the heavens but also bring you right back down to earth.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10).
To read more on this topic see Living in the Image of God, Barry Chant (Miranda: Tabor, 2012 available in eBook and Paperback) from which this edited extract is taken.