Ephesians

Pastor Gordon Crook

Chapter 3 & 4

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 

These verses that closeout chapter three tell us something we need to know about what Jesus can do for us and through us. 

We often are trying so hard to do something for the Lord. Or maybe we are trying to become something we think is what God wants from us. This personal effort always results in something that falls short. Not because we had bad intentions, or are just too dumb to do it right.

We really need to come to the place where we recognize that anything worth anything in our lives is the result of God’s personal work in us. HE is able to do ABOVE all that we ask or think. Why are we so reluctant to let Him work in our lives. When we do, He will get the glory and we will be better off for it. 

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4:1-7

Notice the “therefore.” It is telling us that what is coming is related to what just was written. How are we going to “walk worthy”? It is only because of Him that is “able to do exceeding abundantly above.” Paul begs believers to recognize that they can walk worthy because of the life of Christ. He empowers us.

Notice that the worthy walk includes “lowliness” and “meekness.” These two characteristics are not much desired in much of Christianity today. They are equated with weakness, and many believe that Christians should never be weak because the world will beat you down if you are weak. 

Jesus taught us something different. “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” Matthew 11:29. “Learn from me.” There is only fear of meekness if we think that the world has something we want. Jesus was clear that we have nothing in this word. 

“Longsuffering” – “Bearing troubles patiently.” Also very contrary to the old creation. We do not like to suffer fools. We are too strong for that. However, this characteristic is throughout Paul’s epistles. It is part of the fruit of the Spirit. That means that it is not something you have to grit your teeth and learn to do. If you are yielding to the Holy Spirit, it will be worked in you.

“Forbearing one another” – Forbear means to hold up or to sustain. Are we willing to hold up our brother and sister? Do we feel  like we need to just leave them to fend for themselves? This is not the love of Christ. Imagine if Jesus decided to just leave you to fend for yourself? If there is any spiritual maturity in your life, it is because of Jesus and it will lead you to care about your brother and sister.

“Endeavouring” – “Being diligent or quick.” This means that this is of utmost importance to us. “Keep” – “guard or watch.” This is NOT saying that we maintain the unity of the Spirit, but rather we are to be constantly on guard to recognize that unity. We often forget that Jesus is the key to unity and we want to create our own little group thing. I am not proposing that we should compromise doctrine for the sake of unity, but we must recognize that all believers are part of the body of Christ. There should be peace in the body of Christ.

Paul reminds us that there is only “ONE” body. Only “ONE” Lord, “ONE” God who is above all of us. None of us gets to claim we are something more or different than others. The same life is in every believer. We certainly realize that each individual has a personal responsibility and a personal relationship with Jesus, but together we are the body of Jesus. He is the head, not us.

Verse 7 reminds us that this spiritual life is an individual relationship. Jesus is dealing with each individual that comes to Him. The grace that you receive is not more or less than the grace I receive. We may sometimes view it as different, but the grace available to you is the same grace available to others.

The measure of grace is based on Jesus. He paid the price. He bought your redemption. The measure is not based on what I might have done, or not done. My sin did not require less grace than yours. 

I am so glad grace is given according to His measure. We would want to restrict to some based on our idea of who deserves it. I cannot say that I have not received enough grace. I may not have allowed His grace in all of its fulness in my life, but it has certainly been made available to me. I pray that you are enjoying the fulness of God’s grace in your life. It is able to sanctify you completely and prepare you for His soon coming.

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain” 2 Corinthians 6:1. “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10