Ephesians: Rooted and Grounded in Christ

What does it mean to be "in Christ" as an individual and as a congregation? What does it mean to grow in Christ? Such are the themes of the book of Ephesians, with answers vital to your existence on this planet as God's child.

In Paul's letter to the Ephesian congregation within this large pagan city of the ancient world, he urges the believers to stop changing with the fads of the world and instead be growing and changing in Christ. Ephesians could be summarized with Paul's description of life in the body: "We are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love" (4:15b-16).

Chapters 1-3 of Ephesians speaks of our identity (the indicative) in Christ, while chapters 4-6 detail our responsibility (the imperative) in Christ. You cannot do what God has called you to do until you realize what God has called you to be; your actions spring forth from who you are.