Paul writes to the Ephesians from prison. He is in chains bound to a Roman guard. That would seemingly be a powerless position, yet Paul is not defeated. He is experiencing first hand the sustaining power of God’s love, and his letter to the church is one of encouragement and exhortatation. He wants the believers to tap into the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. He knows the only way to withstand the corruption of the world is to be securely “rooted” and “established” in God. Paul wants all the believers to comprehend what is really incomprehensible—the magnitude of God’s love and the power that is available to them.

Scriptures
Eph 3:1, 8, 16-21; 4:11-12, 22-32; Ps 119:105

Verse
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph 4:22-24) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever… (Eph 3:20-21)

Thought
Paul instructs us as believers to rid ourselves of the actions and attitudes of our former sinful selves. He tells us to stop using our mouths to lie and for unwholesome talk (no filthy jokes, gossip, hurtful words). Stop stealing; work to help others. Get rid of bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, and every form of malice (evil). Forgive one another and be compassionate in the same way that Christ forgave us. Wow! That is more than a tall order. It’s enough to crush our desires and hopes of ever being good enough for God. But Paul’s point is not defeat; it is power! The Holy Spirit alone can clean up our act. We can’t do it…we are as powerless as Paul in chains. BUT, who truly holds the power? Paul knows that Rome has no power over him. He belongs to Jesus Christ who has the ultimate authority. He is Christ’s prisoner, not Rome’s. We likewise are not enslaved to our former desires and selves, we are under the authority and power of Jesus Christ, who is able to go beyond our greatest imaginings and craziest requests and transform us into his likeness. Day by day, as we allow the Holy Sprit to work in our lives we change and grow. When we grow, we glow.

Questions
What are some things you have thrown off with regard to your former self? What have you put on
in their place? Do you miss your former self? Why or why not? Are there still things from your former way of life that you haven’t been able to put off? Do you truly want to get rid of them? Why are they clinging? Are you trying to change by your own power or God’s power? Do you believe God can do immeasurably more than you ask or imagine? If yes, are you willing to allow him to clean up your act?

Response
Think back to your life before Christ. Write down both actions and attitudes that have changed since you gave your life to Jesus. Thank God for his grace and power in your life. Now think of your life now. Write down any actions and attitudes that still need to go. Read the Scriptures listed above. Ask God to give you the ability to know the extent of his love for you and power to help you. Ask him to work in and through you to continue changing you into his image

Prayer (from Frances R. Havergal’s hymn – Take My Life and Let It Be)
Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my will and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine. Take my heart it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne. Take myself and I will be ever only all for Thee. In Jesus Name I pray, amen.