Insight for Living

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Many of Paul's letters begin with doctrinal truths, instructing readers in basic Christian beliefs. Then, after the reader has a clearer understanding of faith in Christ, the second half of the letter deals explicitly with how to live out the Christian faith in the world. The two sections are often joined by a single verse. These hinge verses can be clearly seen in Romans (12:1), Galatians (5:1), and Colossians (3:1). The same is true for Ephesians, where in 4:1 we see the beginning of a highly practical section, one that teaches believers how to apply the great truths of God's sovereignty and salvation in day-to-day life.

What do you do when you lose heart? When the wind goes out of your sails and your morale drops to a new low? When life has weighed you down once again and those times of encouragement and joy seem no more than a distant memory? Paul, sitting in a Roman prison and yet filled with the joy of the Lord, was concerned about the Ephesian believers falling into discouragement over his fate. He wanted none of that! So he prayed to God on their behalf that they would be filled with the love of Christ and the strength of His Spirit.

What do you do when you lose heart? When the wind goes out of your sails and your morale drops to a new low? When life has weighed you down once again and those times of encouragement and joy seem no more than a distant memory? Paul, sitting in a Roman prison and yet filled with the joy of the Lord, was concerned about the Ephesian believers falling into discouragement over his fate. He wanted none of that! So he prayed to God on their behalf that they would be filled with the love of Christ and the strength of His Spirit.

Sometimes it's easy to get discouraged when life dishes out more than our share of troubles. But Paul, who was put in chains for faithfully preaching the gospel wherever he went, could rejoice and rest contentedly in God. He knew that all things that come to us first pass through the hands of God, a fact that gave him great comfort and allowed him to go on preaching the union of the Jews and the Gentiles in Christ. Paul's example and his message provide reason for us to feel secure in God's hands, that we might not suffer discouragement before Him.