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Wholeness And Holiness
Brian Mashburn
June 1, 2008
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Wholiness
The book of Ephesians doesn't read like Paul's other letters. Ephesians is special. Now, it's true that "all scripture is inspired by God", but even in Scripture, there are high points.
A nature lover may have seen many incredible sights, but one look over the edge of the Grand Canyon forces him to say, "Here is a place to stop for a while and gaze."
While Paul's other letters are personal and specific, and mention people's names in local places addressing particular circumstances, Ephesians' language is majestic and lofty. Its truths are so universal that this 2000 year old letter might just as easily have been written yesterday.
So this summer, we are going to slow down, take a deep breath, and gaze upon Ephesians. We will not "study it" per se, but gaze upon it. There is much to behold, enjoy, and be transformed by.
This first week we look at Paul's first statement of God's intent for us. In 1:4, he says that "long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love." (MSG)
Whole and holy. That's what He means for us to be. That's how He manifests His love, the very point of His sending His beloved son. To make me whole (without blemish, scar, wound, or blame) and to make me holy (set apart, righteous, or "living rightly").
And notice the kindness of God when it says, "to be made." Once again, we appeal to the journey metaphor. We are being made whole. We are being made holy.
My question for you to day, as we sit on the edge of the Grand Canyon of Ephesians and gaze, taking it in, letting it do its work, is this:
How are you cooperating with your own transformation?