1. This book is very positive, and Paul is in a very good mood
2. I usually gloss over all the positive stuff and get to the “to-do” list. It will take effort for me to really meditate on “what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given his people”
3. I don’ think Paul wants us to focus on our behaviors, at least in the first 3 chapters. When he brings up things for us to do, I think they are more of a sign that we are on the right path than a destination to strive for.
4. 5:10 “try to find what is pleasing to the Lord.” This sounds so playful to me. God is not looking for absolutes; there is often not a right or wrong. But he desires that we listen to the Holy Spirit and try things out
5. I like the first half of the book much more right now than the 2nd half. But I do like the 2nd half of chapter 6.
Feel free to comment on my thoughts or to make your own comments
3 comments:
i like your point #5. it does make it sound like a game or a challenge, which is more palatable than a command.
i forgot (over the summer) how much i enjoy reading your blog.
good work.
caity
So today I read it in the message---amazing--great for perspective
I agree—Paul is so positive in this letter
“We’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!”
“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!”
“Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.”
this is the only God I can ever worship
are you still reading Ephesians?
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