THE REFUGE

The city of Ephesus was surrounded by pagan worship. As the capital of the Roman province of Asia, it was a vital commercial center of the Roman Empire. It has been estimated that there were nearly fifty temples dedicated to various gods. Among them stood the famous Temple of Diana (Artemis), the fertility goddess, which was recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Ephesus was a multi-ethnic city and was hostile toward the Christian faith. It was here that the Apostle Paul labored for nearly three years, teaching in the school of Tyrannus as the Spirit of God established His church. Several years later, while being held captive in Rome as a prisoner for the sake of Christ, Paul wrote this letter to encourage and strengthen these believers. Rather than bowing to the corruption that surrounded them, they were to stand firm in the faith.

In the opening chapters of this epistle, Paul exalts the sovereign grace of God in salvation through the redeeming work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He reminds believers that they were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, redeemed by His blood, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and made alive though they were once dead in trespasses and sins. He prays that they would be strengthened in their inner man and rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. Having unfolded these glorious truths of God’s saving grace, Paul now turns to the believer’s responsibility, “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.”

Beloved, Paul wrote these words while chained to a Roman guard, awaiting trial before Caesar. Humanly speaking, he had no assurance that he would ever be released. Yet he never referred to himself as Rome’s prisoner, but as “the prisoner of the Lord.” He understood the chains upon his wrists had first passed through the sovereign hand of God. The Lord even used Paul’s imprisonment to advance the gospel, for many in Caesar’s household came to faith in Christ. Think of the marvelous grace of God displayed in this man’s life. He had once ravaged the church, stood approving Stephen’s stoning, and breathed out threats against the followers of Christ. Yet the same man now joyfully proclaimed the very gospel he once sought to destroy.

Paul never looked back but continually pressed forward toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. He counted all that he had once prized as rubbish compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord. What a remarkable testimony of the transforming power of God’s grace. The man who once persecuted the church became one of its greatest servants. He was flesh and blood like every one of us, yet he gave himself wholeheartedly to the work of Christ. His life reminds us that God’s grace not only saves sinners, but also transforms them into faithful servants for His glory.

We live in a day when the lives of many professing Christians have become synchronized with the world. This is a tragedy, for it clouds the beauty of the gospel before those who remain without Christ and without hope. Christians have been called to live out their faith in joyful obedience to God’s Word. We are ambassadors for Christ, having been rescued from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins.

The vivid picture of our former condition is beautifully portrayed in the words of the prophet Ezekiel. Speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he writes concerning Israel, “On the day you were born your navel cord was not cut… you were thrown out into the open field… Then I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, and I said to you, ‘Live!’… I spread My garment over you… entered into a covenant with you… washed you… and you became Mine.”

What a marvelous picture of God’s saving grace. Though our sins were like scarlet, He has made them white as snow. Those who are in Christ are precious in the sight of their heavenly Father. Once we were held captive by sin and death, but now we have been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Beloved, pause for a moment and consider the mercy God has shown you. While you were dead in your sins and blind to the reality of eternal judgment, God, in His sovereign grace, made you alive together with Christ. The Father sent His beloved Son to bear the wrath we deserved upon the cross. Jesus willingly laid down His life so that all who trust in Him might have everlasting life.

Now, having seen such immeasurable love, should we not gladly become willing servants of the One who redeemed us? Has He not covered you with His righteousness and called you His own? Come then, saints of God, cast off the sins that once held you in bondage. Yield yourselves to Him in loving obedience, walking in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.

Ephesians 4:1