A Cure for Spiritual Blues (Ephesians 1; Ephesians 2)

Heart of a Shepherd

Jun 02, 2023

Translations

Malay

Penawar untuk Blues Spiritual (Efesus 1; Efesus 2)

Russian

Лекарство от духовной хандры (Ефесянам 1; Ефесянам 2)

Vietlabelse

Phương thuốc chữa buồn phiền tinh thần (Ê-phê-sô 1; Ê-phê-sô 2)

Persian

درمانی برای بلوز معنوی (افسسیان 1؛ افسسیان 2)

Greek

Μια θεραπεία για τα πνευματικά μπλουζ (Εφεσίους 1· Εφεσίους 2)

Romanian

Un leac pentru blues spiritual (Efeseni 1; Efeseni 2)

Korean

영적 우울증 치료제(에베소서 1; 에베소서 2)

Portuguese

Uma cura para a tristeza espiritual (Efésios 1; Efésios 2)

Danish

En kur mod spirituel blues (Efeserne 1; Efeserne 2)

Chinese (Traditional)

精神憂鬱症的治療方法(以弗所書 1;以弗所書 2)

Urdu

روحانی پریشانیوں کا علاج (افسیوں 1؛ افسیوں 2)

Croatian

Lijek za duhovno bluđenje (Efežanima 1; Efežanima 2)

Arabic

علاج للكنز الروحي (أفسس 1 ؛ أفسس 2)

Swedish

A Cure for Spiritual Blues (Efesierbrevet 1; Efesierbrevet 2)

Hebrew

תרופה לבלוז רוחני (אפסים 1; אפסיים 2)

Haitian Creole

Yon Remèd pou Blues espirityèl (Efezyen 1; Efezyen 2)

Ukrainian

Ліки від духовної невдачі (Ефесянам 1; Ефесянам 2)

Italian

Una cura per la depressione spirituale (Efesini 1; Efesini 2)

Chinese (Simplified)

精神忧郁症的治疗方法(以弗所书 1;以弗所书 2)

Tagalog

Isang Lunas para sa Espirituwal na Asul (Efeso 1; Efeso 2)

Hindi

आध्यात्मिक उदासियों का इलाज (इफिसियों 1; इफिसियों 2)

German

Eine Heilung für spirituellen Blues (Epheser 1; Epheser 2)

Swahili

Tiba ya Maumivu ya Kiroho (Waefeso 1; Waefeso 2)

Japanese

スピリチュアルブルースの治療法 (エペソ人への手紙 1; エペソ人への手紙 2)

Thai

การรักษาความเศร้าโศกฝ่ายวิญญาณ (เอเฟซัส 1; เอเฟซัส 2)

Dutch

Een remedie voor spirituele blues (Efeziërs 1; Efeziërs 2)

French

Un remède contre le blues spirituel (Éphésiens 1 ; Éphésiens 2)

French (Canada)

Un remède contre le blues spirituel (Éphésiens 1 ; Éphésiens 2)

Spanish

Una cura para la tristeza espiritual (Efesios 1; Efesios 2)

A Cure for Spiritual Blues (Ephesians 1; Ephesians 2) 

Scripture reading - Ephesians 1; Ephesians 2  

Continuing our chronological study of God’s Word, we come to “The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians.” This is the third in our study of Paul’s prison epistles, and would have been written during his first imprisonment in Rome, between 60-63 AD. The apostle’s confinement was what would be described today as “house arrest,” and it lasted two years (Acts 28:30). Though he was unable to visit the churches in Asia Minor, he did receive guests, and authored letters to the churches in Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, and penned a brief letter to a believer named Philemon.

 

The city of Ephesus figured prominently in our recent study in the Book of Acts. It was one of the most important cities along the coastline of Asia Minor, and its natural harbor made it a commercial crossroads. Ephesus was also the center for the worship of Diana, and a great temple dedicated to that religious cult was located there. Paul invested two full years of his life preaching in the vicinity of Ephesus (Acts 19:10). Today’s devotion is taken from Ephesians 1.

Ephesians 1 – A Message of Reconciliation and Unity

Typical of his prison epistles, Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church began with a loving salutation that stated his authority and calling (“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God” (Ephesians 1:1). With a shepherd’s heart, he saluted the recipients of the epistle (Ephesians 1:1b), and bid them, “Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:2).  

God’s Sovereign, Eternal Plan (Ephesians 1:3-12)

 

Paul had warned the elders (pastors and spiritual leaders) of the church in Ephesus, that after his departure “grievous wolves [would] enter in among you [the congregation], not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29). Tragically, the believers in Ephesus did experience the ravages of false teachers in their midst (Acts 20:30), and the church suffered divisions that threatened the health and life of the church. No wonder Paul began his letter with a reminder of the unity all sincere believers have in Christ.

 

Paul identified several doctrinal truths that are shared by all believers (Ephesians 1:3-6). We are “blessed (favored) with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). We are “chosen” in Christ “that we should be holy and without blame” (Ephesians 1:4). We are adopted, predestinated, fore-ordained, that we might glorify God (Ephesians 1:5-6). We are redeemed “through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). We are given “wisdom and prudence” (understanding and discernment, Ephesians 1:8). God has revealed to us the “mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself” (Ephesians 1:9). What is that mystery? The Gospel, and the Millennial kingdom of Christ when all things, “both which are in heaven, and which are on earth,” will be under His authority (Ephesians 1:10).

 

We have an “inheritance,” having been chosen, and predestinated according to God’s eternal, divine purpose, “who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11). To what end or purpose? “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ” (Ephesians 1:12). In other words, we are redeemed for the purpose of reflecting God’s glory. Finally, all who have “heard the word of truth,” and believed “the gospel of… salvation” are “sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13).

 

Having reminded the believers in Ephesus of their position in Christ (1:3-13), and redemption by His blood (“unto the praise of His glory,” Ephesians 1:14), Paul boasted, I have “heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints” (Ephesians 1:15). What effect did the Ephesian believer’s testimony have on Paul? He assured them he was continually giving thanks to God, and praying for them (Ephesians 1:16).  

Closing thoughts – Imagine how powerful your testimony and influence would be if you were known for your “faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints” (Ephesians 1:15). The next time you feel discouraged, take a moment and reflect on who you are in Christ! You are blessed, chosen, adopted, redeemed, made wise, and entrusted with the Gospel, the “mystery of [God’s] will” (Ephesians 1:3-10). Lastly, you have a heavenly, eternal inheritance that cannot be stolen. Hallelujah!

 

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Copyright © 2022 – Travis D. Smith  

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