1 Timothy 1: a toxic church

Paul was released from his prison, in Rome. Timothy is in Ephesus taking care of a toxic church. Evil leaders in the church are naturally inclined to their our honor and glory. In Ephesus, they were focusing in details of the Bible (genealogies, for instance) instead of focusing that Jesus came to save sinners. In doing so, they appeared to be wise, while in fact they were distancing the congregation from the faith and love. Timothy was in a very difficult situation: to oppose influential leader and to make the church return to the core of the gospel:

5-7 The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love—love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God. Those who fail to keep to this point soon wander off into dead ends of gossip. They set themselves up as experts on religious issues, but haven’t the remotest idea of what they’re holding forth with such imposing eloquence.

Ephesians 6: Armor of God: Atack and defense

A Christians is a new creature - governed by Jesus who becomes a target of the evil forces, therefore he must resist its attacks:

13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

Imagine a pastor who is calling many to Jesus. If he falls, he becomes a joke or a flag against Christians. Even if he doesn't fall, evil can lie and accuse therefore, it is imperative to pray hard and long and to live in community, in a church supporting each other.

Ephesians 5: Ordinances

There are many commands in Ephesians 4-6. We read:

14 For this reason it says,
“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”
15 So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord;

Before conversion, I was dead in my sins but after believing in Jesus, I was called to arise from the dead and receive Christ's light. In Christ's light, I am aware of my actions. I am retired, so it is easy to waste my time, but I am called to make the most of my time, because the days are evil. How to make most of my time? Grow in love, show love to my family, taking care of wife and children and to repent when I fail in my mission.

Ephesians 4: Orders to Christians

In Ephesians 1-3, a Christian is someone planned by the Lord before creation, he was dead in his sins, incapable of search the Lord but Jesus came and opened a new age when gentiles are called to be united in the assembly of the saints.  In Ephesians 1-3, the Lord is doing all the work of salvation; but in Ephesians 4, a Christian is called to put off his former nature and put on the new life in Jesus. Is this transformation in hands of men? No. I know by myself that I was very egoistic; but somehow, Jesus broke this excessive focus on myself only. This freedom enables me to put off my former life; but I have to align my new heart and make some effort to adjust my life with my calling. I also must remember that I am not alone. The Spirit is in me, working in me, changing my heart and enabling me to be more and more like Jesus, however it is possible that I grive the Spirit:

30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

I don´t want to grieve the Holy Spirit, but I am aware that I do it many times. I repent and I am confident that my seal, the Spirit, is still with me for the day of redemption. So, in a way, I am day by day changing clothes. I was called to put off my old self, and put on the new life in Jesus, everyday. 

Ephesians 3: Mystery revealed.

Paul was chosen by the Lord to reveal a great mystery:- gentiles are also chosen to serve the Messiah.

4-6 As you read over what I have written to you, you’ll be able to see for yourselves into the mystery of Christ. None of our ancestors understood this. Only in our time has it been made clear by God’s Spirit through his holy apostles and prophets of this new order. The mystery is that people who have never heard of God and those who have heard of him all their lives (what I’ve been calling outsiders and insiders) stand on the same ground before God. They get the same offer, same help, same promises in Christ Jesus. The Message is accessible and welcoming to everyone, across the board.

Paul was a pharisee, proud about his Jewish heritage. As a pharisee, he saw non Jews as people outside the covenant, lost in their idolatry and somehow despised by him. However, by grace, the Lord Jesus chose Paul to reveal a mystery that could never foresee. Jesus filled Paul with love, and Jesus enabled Paul to love the gentiles, to the point of being persecuted by other Jews for opening the covenant to non Jews.
It is like a religious person, grown in a church, who despises Muslims, and one day, by grace, he understands that he is loved by Jesus and want to spread that love to Muslims.

Ephesians 2: From being dead to being a workmanship.

1 And you were dead in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

I was dead (nekros) in my sins; but the Lord looked to me:

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

I wasn't saved because I became good but because the grace made me believed in the Messiah, with a purpose:

10 For we are His workmanship/Poiema, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

I was created in Jesus for good works. I am getting old, I am aware of my strong tendency to be egoistical, but I am beginning to acknowledge that others are images of the Lord despite being very imperfect. I am beginning to root for others.  

Ephesians 1: A new identity

Paul prayed for the Ephesians:

15-19 That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

Now I am retired, and even though I had been reading the Bible along years, I still need to know more God personally, I still need  to grasp the way of life God has for me and the boundless greatness of God's power toward me who believe. I want to see the kindness and power of the Lord in order to praise more the Lord for the king Jesus in my life.