Devotion, 1/16/21

Ephesians, 1:1-3.

 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ”

Paul greets the Ephesian congregation, referring to them as “saints,” and then explains that a saint is a person who lives faithfully in Christ Jesus.  Note this carefully. A mature Christian is not one who merely professes faith in Jesus.  He is one who strives to live faithfully.  Note also this common Pauline phrase, “in Christ.”  Faithful living takes place only when we are “in Christ.”  Through faith a marvelous thing has happened.   Christ dwells in us, and we live in Christ.  It is only when our souls are united with the Spirit of Jesus that we are able to live faithfully.

If Christ is seen by us as one who is external to us, we shall fail miserably in the Christian life. We are in the “immature” category. Immature believers are redeemed, but not of much use in the Kingdom of God on earth.  Christ is present in an immature believer, but largely ignored.  In order to serve God faithfully, Christ must be in us and we must be in Christ, and we must faithfully follow Him.  It is His presence within the human soul which provides the motivation and the power for us to live faithfully.  A Christian is a person who is in union with Jesus. A mature Christian in one who lives in the light of that truth.  An immature Christian ignores His presence. Which one are you?

Thank You Jesus for coming to dwell with us. Help me to realize daily Your presence and to live under Your direction. I want to be a mature Christian, of use in the Kingdom of God. May Jesus Christ be honored by my daily choices, Amen.