Dig Into Ephesians with Todd WagnerSample

In the Strength of His Might

A Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph from World War II memorialized the moment when a group of U.S. Marines raised the American flag over Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima’s highest peak. By raising the flag, the soldiers were indicating that occupation and control of the island had shifted from the Japanese to the Americans. After the battle, anyone could look at the flag to know which power had succeeded.

Similarly, when we invite the Holy Spirit to fill us, he plants a metaphorical flag in us, claiming his territory. We belong to him, and our lives begin to show it. The Spirit changes our motives, our attitudes, our thought patterns, and our behavior. He influences our relationships, work, play, and words. The behaviors and attitudes we saw in Ephesians 4 and 5—such as grace, forgiveness, unity, purity, goodness, and truth—infuse our relationships as we grow in holiness.

Spirit-filled parents and children relate to one another with grace. Paul exhorts children to obey their parents, keeping in mind the blessing they will receive (6:3). He also warns parents not to revert to the cultural norms of harsh authoritarian leadership. They are to point their children to know and follow Jesus (6:4). Similarly, slaves and masters both receive astonishing direction from Paul: Do your work with integrity and a positive attitude, respecting one another and remembering that they share the same divine master, “and there is no favoritism with him” (6:9).

Paul’s exhortations for family relationships stand the test of time. And while we no longer tolerate slavery, the concepts of working with integrity and respecting those under your authority apply across many spectrums of life.

It’s not easy to live with such selfless, others-centered energy. We need the Spirit’s strength because we are opposed by a spiritual enemy. Paul concludes his letter to the Ephesians by reminding them (and us) that we live within a spiritual arena, where spiritual forces war against God (6:12). Without the Spirit, we revert to our sinful, selfish, sometimes evil propensities.

Todd reminded us in the video that Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned in Rome, where he would have had direct contact with Roman soldiers. He compared the spiritual tools of godliness to the physical armor he saw every day (6:11–17).

This call to arm ourselves, or suit up, is given to each believer—men, women, and children—because all of us need the strength of the Lord in our daily pursuit of righteousness. Faith, the gospel, righteousness, and our hope of salvation all reinforce our ability to stand strong and steady against the attacks of our spiritual enemy. When we wrap ourselves in that armor, keeping them close, the lies and deceptions of evil forces merely graze us or bounce off us. And when we speak God’s truth, his Word, into the world, we’re following the Spirit’s leading.

Let’s never forget to pray for one another, as Paul asked the Ephesians to do for him. Even the strongest believer faces overwhelming opposition, and we always need the support of our spiritual family pleading on our behalf for the supernatural ability to face the challenges before us.

Remember who you are in Christ! In gratefulness and praise to God, love others the way God loves you. As God’s chosen child, how are you reflecting your true identity in your relationships and work?

Congratulations, you completed the reading plan! If you would like to try a more in-depth video Bible study from RightNow Media, click here to access The Gospel of Mark Bible Study with Francis Chan .