Today Daily Devotional

I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

— Ephesians 4:17

In some translations of the Bible, this passage tells us not to live “as the pagans do.” That term “pagans” might make you think of primitive tribes, with idols and all sorts of superstitions and outdated religious rites. But Paul thinks differently. In this passage, “pagans,” or “Gentiles,” are people who get stuck in idle thoughts and unrestrained behaviors associated with greed. The idols of these people are mainly in their own hearts.

This problem is subtle; it hides behind all sorts of modern-day expectations and appearances. The behaviors associated with greed are complacency, the need to be in the limelight, material comforts, popularity, fashion, freedom, and more. And all of these are idols.

When Israel entered the land of Canaan, God warned them not to imitate the neighboring peoples in their pagan behaviors (Deuteronomy 8:17-20). And Jesus prayed for his disciples, knowing they were still in the world but “not of the world” (John 17:16). In Ephesians, Paul reminds us again that the Lord calls us to follow him and to leave our old, pagan ways behind.

What types of idols call out to your heart today? How can the community around you—your school, church, or family—help you to live a different life for Jesus?

Dear Lord, thank you for calling us into new life with you. Please protect us from the idols of our hearts. Help us to be your faithful followers. Amen.

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

— Ephesians 4:16

Our body is controlled by our head (not the other way around). Our head is the coordinating center of our body.

It’s the same way with the church, which is called the body of Christ. We draw our strength from Christ, our head. “Remain in me,” he says; “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Christ guarantees the survival of his body. Jesus assures us, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). Jesus is the one who makes each member grow, holds the whole body together, and nourishes all the parts to build each other up.

No matter how useful we are, how well we do, or how much we accomplish, we are called to be servants in the body. It is Christ who bears the fruit in us. We don’t seek glory for ourselves; to him alone is the glory.

Daily dependence on Christ is vitally important. We will never be competent enough to cope without living daily in communion with him. When the church forgets this principle, it becomes a lifeless body, a religion without a soul.

Consider some of the many ways in which you depend on God. What are some ways that God is using you in the church? How can you serve him more faithfully?

Dear Jesus, thank you for calling us into a living relationship with you. Help us to remember that we fully rely on you in order to bear fruit. In your name, Amen.

We will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching. . . .

— Ephesians 4:14

Many societies in the world today tend to neglect elderly people. They often focus on youth, innovation, and the desire to get ahead. Being young is fashionable, and people who can't keep up are often pushed aside.

An old African proverb puts it differently: “What an old man can see sitting down, the youth cannot see standing up.” In other words, young people are full of youth and energy, but they don’t have the wisdom that is acquired through experience.

Even in the early days of the church there were winds that could blow new believers off course. Ideas, ideals, and ideologies could sway new Christians one way and then another. In order to withstand the storm of doctrines and sort out what is wise from what is foolish, it is important to become mature. An immature Christian may be joyful and full of energy but can also be unstable and undiscerning. Mature Christians confess the truth in love while continuing to grow. They know that love and truth, doctrine and life, grace and holiness go hand in hand and should not be separated. It is wonderful to be able to grow in this way. All of us continue to grow in faith, no matter how long we have followed Jesus.

In what ways can you keep growing in spiritual maturity? How is God calling you to support and encourage the next generation of believers?

Lord, help us to speak and live by the truth in love, helping others to grow in faith. Amen.

Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service. . . .

— Ephesians 4:11-12

Theologians sometimes speak about a difference between the church on earth and the church in heaven. Christ has triumphed over his enemies and is seated victoriously in heaven, and the church is there with him. Yet the church on earth must still face struggles and spiritual battles. We still have to learn, to train during the struggle, and to strive to reach the calling we have from Christ. How does the Lord Jesus help us in this?

In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul helps us to see that Jesus gives us people with particular callings, particular ministries. He has given us the apostles and prophets as a foundation for the church. We have their words with us in the Bible. In addition, he gives us people who proclaim the gospel: evangelists, pastors, and teachers. All of these callings equip and build up believers.

So if church pastors or other leaders focus on reputation, influence, or income, they lose sight of what they are called to do. They should be characterized by selflessness and willingness to serve. Being humble and gentle, as Paul noted at the beginning of Ephesians 4, is especially true for pastors, who are given authority to lead in the church.

What particular service are you called to in the church? How do you keep your motivations in check so that you can serve the body of Christ as you are called to do?

Lord, thank you for the many gifts and callings you have given us in the church. Help us to serve you faithfully. Amen.

He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.

— Ephesians 4:10

An African proverb says, “If a blind man says he will throw a stone at you, he probably has his foot on one.” In other words, don't underestimate the danger of a threat. When someone says something like that, you should be aware of the possibility of harm.

Something similar is happening in this world. The gospel of Jesus Christ may seem powerless, like a blind man. But make no mistake: the reality is different! By his death on the cross, Christ has put Satan to shame and has stripped away the power that sin had over us. Christ, having received all authority (Matthew 28:18), has poured it out on his disciples. As followers of Jesus, we have received power from the Holy Spirit, through whom we reign with him. We are united with Christ in his victory, so we too are powerful.

Christ has overcome, and we are therefore overcomers—but not by ourselves, for this is a gift. Christ's victory makes us rulers with him. It is important to recognize that we have this position in life. The Spirit in the church is proof of Christ's victory.

How are you demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit in your life today? How is God calling you into servant leadership with the gifts he has given? Receive the Holy Spirit, and ask God for help in using the gifts he has given you.

Dear Jesus, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the great gifts the Spirit has given us. Help us to demonstrate your power and love to the people around us. In your name, Amen.

To each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

— Ephesians 4:7

A story is told in Africa about a proud politician. This senior official had his own driver but did not treat him well. On a business trip he stopped at a restaurant and enjoyed a full meal, but he left his driver outside. On the way to a meeting afterward, the hungry driver decided to teach his boss a lesson. He turned off the car’s engine and pretended the battery was dead. “I guess we’ll have to push the car,” the driver said. After they pushed the car a short distance, the driver said he would try to start the engine again, and it started. The sweaty politician learned that his driver was important too: he needed him in order to go places and to get there on time.

This story includes some important reminders for the church. No member is more important than the others, and each one has gifts from God that can bless others. In the church, there are often people who think they have not received any special gifts from God. They think they have little or nothing to contribute. But that is a mistake. Another mistake is for people to think they don't need others or the gifts they can share. But God has given us many gifts and abilities, and we depend on each other in many ways.

What have you received from the Lord that you can share with others? And with what gifts from God have others blessed you?

Father, all that we have is a gift from you. Help us not to be proud of what we have or too proud to receive from others. Give us humble and gracious hearts. Amen.

There is . . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

— Ephesians 4:4-6

Citizens of the same country have many things in common. For example, they share the same territory, language, and history. In a similar way Christians are one in Christ. We are united spiritually with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In terms of doctrine, we are united by the same confession: the same faith, the same hope, the same baptism. And in day-to-day life we as Christians are called to demonstrate this unity.

Rather than focusing on differences, which are only of minor importance, Paul lays the foundation for our unity. We have all been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We profess the truths that Jesus lived among us, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. Our lives are led by the same Lord. As Christians, we share the same hope of living in the fullness of joy in Christ forever. As Christians, we are filled with the same Spirit, through whom we cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15-16). Let us therefore make this unity visible. When we are focused on the things that bind us together, we can live in unity and maintain the bond of peace.

Where might there be differences in your family, church, and community? How can you emphasize what you have in common rather than what your differences are? What can you do to foster Christian unity despite the differences?

Father God, you call us to one common faith. Help us, your church, to strive for unity and to live for you. Amen.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called. . . .

— Ephesians 4:4

On August 4, 1983, Thomas Sankara, a young military captain, and his supporters took power in the country of Upper Volta and renamed it Burkina Faso. Four years later he was assassinated. He left no property or money. His legacy was the example of one who loved his country, served it with self-sacrifice, and treated women, children, and farmers with dignity. Today he is still an example for millions of young people in Africa: a leader who wanted to serve his brothers and sisters. He loved his country with all his heart. He also fought for African unity.

In some ways this young leader’s example reminds me of the only man who lived to serve, Jesus Christ. Our Lord prayed that his church would be united, that all who believe in him would be one. In that way the church can be a unified body. Even though it has many members, it is one because all have the same Spirit and the same hope.

The unity of the church is the foundation for serving one another. Just as all the parts of a physical body work together for the good of the whole body, so the members of the church serve each other. We don’t reject or compete with each other; we complement one another.

What obstacles might your congregation be facing in terms of unity? How can you and your family promote the unity of the body of Christ?

Lord of the church, we thank you for giving your life so that we can have life. Help us to promote unity in the church today, serving you and one another. Amen.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

— Ephesians 4:3

Many countries in West Africa have been dealing with armed conflict in recent years. Even so, peace is deeply rooted in our traditions. In the past, each community had an official conciliator, the blacksmith. He was believed to be a mediator between the world of the living and the spirit world—and also between people themselves. If the blacksmith intervened in a conflict, the hostilities would stop.

Paul urges us as followers of Christ to “keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” As Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” When we strive to live together in peace, the Spirit brings unity, but each of us can promote unity or destroy it. The unity of the church and of society must be preserved by the bond of peace. In Christ we have found peace with God; he came to save us even though we were his enemies (Romans 5:8-11). Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and he invites us to make peace in his name.

The people around us will not always be nice, fair, or do what is right. But even then, our role is to bring peace. We do this in our families, our churches, and wherever we spend our workdays. In this way we can help to make our world a place that reflects more of the values of God’s kingdom.

In what ways can you make peace in complicated relationships?

Prince of Peace, thank you for bringing us peace with God. Help us to bring peace to the people around us. Amen.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

— Ephesians 4:2

In Jesus’ day people despised the local tax collectors for collaborating with the Romans, who had taken over their nation. The tax collectors could also overcharge people in order to pay themselves, so they often got rich at the expense of their local community.

When Jesus came to visit, he shocked Zacchaeus, the local tax collector, and everyone in the crowd by inviting himself to stay at Zacchaeus’s house. In this way Jesus showed Zacchaeus great honor and respect, and that turned Zacchaeus’s life around. The tax collector stood up and acknowledged his wrongdoing, made amends, and gave half of his wealth to the poor. What joy in the city of Jericho!

Zacchaeus met grace in the person of Jesus, who accepted and honored him instead of rejecting him. He was overwhelmed and humbled, and immediately he became generous to the people around him.

In Ephesians, Paul invites us to live a life that responds to God’s grace. He calls Christians to be humble, gentle, and patient. As people who have received generous grace, we are called to live gracious lives. God's grace to us fuels us to show grace and generosity to others.

How does the grace you receive affect your relationships with the people around you? What can you do to show humility and gentleness in your relationships at home, at work or school, and in the church?

Jesus, thank you for showing us grace despite our many sins. By your Spirit, empower us to show grace to everyone we meet today. Amen.