In last week’s sermon (“Gifts of Grace: Redemption of Ignorance”) I said that God wants to redeem ignorance as much as he wants to forgive sin. By removing ignorance from your life, God’s intention is not so much to change what you know, but rather to change how you act. Jesus once told the Sadduces, “You are in error, because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” (Matthew 22:29).
Ephesians 6:18-24
Commentary
v18-22 Just a reminder from last week—the three important words repeated in these verses are: pray, fearlessly, and know[n]. We learn to see & understand the work of God in the world, and God becomes a reality for us in community when we are fearlessly open in our prayers & needs and we are built up & woven together.
v23-24 In Paul’s final benediction, three blessings are offered: peace, love, and grace. Each of the three is only realized in relationship with others—the world, the church, or God. Each of the three is the realization of God at work in our lives.
Of the 3, love is mentioned 3 times. Regarding the priority of love, I am reminded of 1 Cor. 13:13, where Paul says, “Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Undying love. The adjective is probably better translated as “uncorrupted” or “sincere.” John Calvin says of this verse,
In the beginning of his letter, Paul wrote:
Points to Ponder
Why does Paul say “Peace to the brothers [and sisters]”? Why is peace in church so hard to come by?
What difference does faith make in love? How does “love with faith” differ from love alone?
Which comes first, grace or undying love?
Peace, grace, and love—three blessings from God to be lived out in relation to others that will change how we understand God at work in the world. Which of the three are you most likely to misappropriate selfishly, thereby robbing yourself of the chance to know God better and trust him more?
Knowing the Bible doesn’t automatically lead you to trust in God during the trials of life. (For example, you can know a ton of stuff, but not know forgiveness that comes from God alone.)You need both the head knowledge and the heart knowledge.
Knowing the power of God in your life doesn’t automatically teach you which way to go when you reach a momentous decision. (For example, living with the knowledge that you are forgiven is wonderful, but in John 8:11, Jesus also said, “Go now and leave your life of sin.”)
Ephesians 6:18-24
Commentary
v18-22 Just a reminder from last week—the three important words repeated in these verses are: pray, fearlessly, and know[n]. We learn to see & understand the work of God in the world, and God becomes a reality for us in community when we are fearlessly open in our prayers & needs and we are built up & woven together.
v23-24 In Paul’s final benediction, three blessings are offered: peace, love, and grace. Each of the three is only realized in relationship with others—the world, the church, or God. Each of the three is the realization of God at work in our lives.
Of the 3, love is mentioned 3 times. Regarding the priority of love, I am reminded of 1 Cor. 13:13, where Paul says, “Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Undying love. The adjective is probably better translated as “uncorrupted” or “sincere.” John Calvin says of this verse,
This prayer conveys to us the instruction, that the only way of enjoying the light of the Divine countenance is to love sincerely God's own Son, in whom his love toward us has been declared and confirmed. But let there be no hypocrisy; for most men, while they are not unwilling to make some professions of religion, entertain exceedingly low notions of Christ, and worship him with pretended homage. I wish there were not so many instances in the present day to prove that Paul's admonition, to love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity is as necessary as ever.Application
In the beginning of his letter, Paul wrote:
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom & revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, & his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Eph. 1:17-19)His prayer for the Ephesians was realized to the extent that God’s life-changing peace, love, & grace were realized in their lives. By these gifts they would be empowered to live as a force for God in the world.
Points to Ponder
Why does Paul say “Peace to the brothers [and sisters]”? Why is peace in church so hard to come by?
What difference does faith make in love? How does “love with faith” differ from love alone?
Which comes first, grace or undying love?
Peace, grace, and love—three blessings from God to be lived out in relation to others that will change how we understand God at work in the world. Which of the three are you most likely to misappropriate selfishly, thereby robbing yourself of the chance to know God better and trust him more?
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