Ephesians 5:1 – 2 “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” We are to imitate God, in much the same way as children imitate their parents. But there […]

Ephesians 5:1 “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.” When I was a little girl, I used to watch my mother put on her make-up. She had this shiny pink lip gloss that marked the finishing touch to her beauty routine. I thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. […]

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” I love the way Paul doesn’t just leave us hanging. In verse 31, he spoke of a problem, and here, he gives us the solution. Before, he said, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, […]

Ephesians 4:30 – 31 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Have you ever had a wounded spirit? Everyone has, at one time or another, felt […]

Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Let’s just face it. We love to gossip, don’t we? It’s fun to dish about who did what, with whom. It’s harmless, […]

Ephesians 4:28 “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.” I love this verse, because it has a surprise ending. The first part is quite clear: don’t steal! If you have been stealing, […]

Ephesians 4:26 – 27 “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Did you know that it is okay to feel angry? Many people feel that, as Christians, we should just smile and feel peaceful and happy […]

Ephesians 4:25 “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” Well, this verse is easy. Of course we should tell the truth. Of course we shouldn’t lie. It is one of the first things we learn, as children. Unfortunately, the acceptance […]

Ephesians 4:20 – 24 “You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by […]

Ephesians 4:17 – 19 “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to […]