Welcome to The Safe Space!

Paul reveals a mystery once hidden, but now made known: the Gentiles are included in God’s family. They are equal partners, members of the same body, sharing in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News. By God’s grace and mighty power, Paul has been given the privilege of telling everyone about the endless treasures available in Christ and making this plan clear to all.

This was God’s purpose from the beginning—to display his wisdom through the church. Because of Christ and their faith in him, believers can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

Paul then prays that God, from his glorious, unlimited resources, will give them inner strength through his Spirit. That Christ will make his home in their hearts as they trust in him. That their roots will grow down into God’s love and keep them strong. And that they may have the power to understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is—experiencing the love of Christ, though it is too great to fully understand. Then they will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

He ends in praise: God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations.

With that, Paul urges them to live in a way worthy of the calling they have received. Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, bound together by peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all.

Christ has given gifts to his people—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church. As they grow together, they will become mature, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. No longer like children, tossed and blown about by every new teaching, they are to speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Then Paul calls them to leave behind their old way of life. Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by sin and deception. Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Stop telling lies. Speak truth. Do not let anger control you. Do not steal, but work honestly and give generously. Use your words to build others up, not tear them down. Do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit. Get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander. Instead, be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Verse of the Day: Romans 14:17

The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Question of the Day:

How can you live in unity with God?