First Comes Love - Day 08
Day 08 - Wednesday, April 17
Read Ephesians 6:1-9
Highlight
In chapter 6 Paul expands his encouragement to use our everyday relationships as a platform from which to display the love of Christ and the truth of the Gospel. After beginning with the example of how husbands and wives can love one another in such a way that it will point others to Christ, he adds opportunities in the relationships between parents & children and slave & master. Paul quotes from the Old Testament reminding the Ephesians of God’s instruction to honor their parents, but adds to this the expectation that parents love their children by teaching them how to follow and love the Lord. Here again, he is reflecting this picture of the Gospel where Jesus, who has all authority and power, chooses to love us with humility and self-sacrifice.
Next Paul acknowledges the reality of the Jewish people who are subjugated to the Roman Empire at this time. This relationship between enslaved and oppressor defines their everyday lives. Paul is not condoning this ungodly system of persecution, he has already addressed that the current reality is not God’s plan, who through Jesus has made all people one in Christ (Eph. 2:11-22). But how should they live in this new Kingdom reality now, while they are still enslaved? And remember that the Ephesian church includes Gentiles, non-Jewish believers who are citizens of the Roman empire, but now know and love Jesus! Paul reminds them that they both are under the authority of God first and their Father in heaven does not distinguish based on earthly labels or status…what He cares about is their hearts. Can you imagine what non-believers in Ephesus must have thought when they saw masters and slaves loving one another? This is truly a mysterious, miraculous, revolutionary kind of love. The kind of love that’s only possible through Jesus.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Ephesians 6:1-9
Highlight
In chapter 6 Paul expands his encouragement to use our everyday relationships as a platform from which to display the love of Christ and the truth of the Gospel. After beginning with the example of how husbands and wives can love one another in such a way that it will point others to Christ, he adds opportunities in the relationships between parents & children and slave & master. Paul quotes from the Old Testament reminding the Ephesians of God’s instruction to honor their parents, but adds to this the expectation that parents love their children by teaching them how to follow and love the Lord. Here again, he is reflecting this picture of the Gospel where Jesus, who has all authority and power, chooses to love us with humility and self-sacrifice.
Next Paul acknowledges the reality of the Jewish people who are subjugated to the Roman Empire at this time. This relationship between enslaved and oppressor defines their everyday lives. Paul is not condoning this ungodly system of persecution, he has already addressed that the current reality is not God’s plan, who through Jesus has made all people one in Christ (Eph. 2:11-22). But how should they live in this new Kingdom reality now, while they are still enslaved? And remember that the Ephesian church includes Gentiles, non-Jewish believers who are citizens of the Roman empire, but now know and love Jesus! Paul reminds them that they both are under the authority of God first and their Father in heaven does not distinguish based on earthly labels or status…what He cares about is their hearts. Can you imagine what non-believers in Ephesus must have thought when they saw masters and slaves loving one another? This is truly a mysterious, miraculous, revolutionary kind of love. The kind of love that’s only possible through Jesus.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Posted in First Comes Love