Together In Christ #1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

These words open Paul's letter to the Church in Ephesus. Paul had been sent by God to their area as a church planter.  Upon accepting the message of salvation of God in His Son Jesus Christ, these people had become saints: "called out ones, people who are set apart" from their old life of sin to serve God. Exactly what is it that God had called them to be and do and us to be and do? Be faithful to Him and full of faith in Him.  But that is something that neither they nor us can do on our own: We need Grace - a God-given ability beyond ourselves. We also need peace from God - that sense that all will be well because He truly is ultimately in control, not us. As with salvation, these two gifts are available through Jesus Christ. These purposes and provisions for that church back then in Ephesus are the same for churches in every time and location, including ours. And they are things He has called us to experience Together. As they were hearing this letter, they had assembled to worship together.  They were not being called upon to do these things or be these things solo, but together. And, believe it or not, Grace and Peace are much more evident when we are following Christ together. So, as followers of Christ, let's commit to be together with other followers of Christ, and see the great things He has in store.