https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+6%3A18-24&version=NIVUK

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love

Ephesians 6:24

The little appendix at the end of Paul’s letters is always almost sweetly amusing. This time it is how Tychicus is sent to the Ephesians in order to let them know all things about Paul so that they know how he is and what he is doing. This is meant to reflect what Paul is doing for the Lord and why the Lord sent him. Such recipients of knowledge love Christ ‘with undying love’ (v. 24). They pray all the time ‘in Spirit’, (v. 18), which means in ‘the word of God’ (v. 14). Be reminded by the word every day so that you may remain in peace and perseverance, while the Holy Spirit, the word of God, who is the sword (v. 17), does the fighting to keep you so. We who know the ending of victory can and should pray for all saints that they are also reminded and remain in peace with the undying love for Christ, who died and was raised to make known the power of the Father, in which we are and for which we are strong. This is called faith—our being and strength in the Father and in his power.

Lord, let me today exercise this faith, the instrument the Holy Spirit gave us to glue us to our Christ. Let me live the peace you gave me by remaining calm in your arms as a weaned child resting in the mother’s arms (Ps 131.2).

• What has the letter to the Ephesians let you understand about God, Christ, and the Spirit anew?

• Surely the understanding will motivate you. But how would not losing your sense of humour help you while you are driven by the new motivation?

• What does it mean that you pray in Spirit (v. 18)? Ephesians ends with a mention of praying in Spirit for God’s people. How and for whom in particular do you desire to pray?

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