Did you know that the Holy Spirit plays an intricate part not only in our salvation but also in our walk with the Lord? Paul mentions the Holy Spirit in all six chapters of his letter to the Ephesians. We are sealed by the Spirit unto the day of redemption (1:13). We have access to the Father by the Spirit (2:18). The Spirit reveals to us the mystery of the gospel (3:5). We have been unified by the Spirit (4:3). We can be filled by the Spirit (5:18), and we can pray in the Spirit (6:18). These are just some of the verses in this epistle that speak of the Holy Spirit.

There is no way we can walk with the Lord without the Holy Spirit working in our lives. That is why Paul challenged the Ephesians to be “filled with the Spirit” (5:18). The Greek word for filled speaks of an ongoing filling and not a once-and-for-all experience.

When we walk with the Lord, the Holy Spirit is continually working in our lives. In the same way, as we continually submit ourselves to the Spirit, He empowers us to do His will. The Holy Spirit is so involved in our walk with the Lord that when we are not being filled by Him, we are grieving Him. Paul cautions: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (4:30).

When we walk (or live) by the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:16). In verses 19 and 20, Paul describes the outpouring of this “filling”—we will worship and sing, “giving thanks to God the Father for everything.” As Spirit-filled people, we will live in a way that glorifies God, in worship and fellowship with like- minded people.

Do you remember the excitement of getting new school clothes for a new academic year? I will never forget shopping for new clothes and school supplies. Putting on those new clothes for the first time was a very proud moment. I had grown out of the old clothes; I was ready for something new!

In Ephesians 4:24, the Apostle Paul says we are to “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Obviously, Paul is not speaking of literal clothing. He is referring to the new lifestyle of the believer. The word created is also mentioned in Ephesians 2:10. We are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” When we are saved, we become a new creation. Through salvation, God has given us new life (Eph. 2:5). That means we now “put on” a new way of living that reflects His character.

Paul challenges believers to cease doing things that do not honor God and do not reflect who they are created to be in Him. This includes what we do and how we speak. We are to avoid lying (v. 25) and “unwholesome talk” (v. 29). We are to control our anger: “In your anger do not sin” (v. 26). We are to put off unwholesome past behaviors (v. 31) and put on new ones: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (v. 32).

The use of clothing to describe our transformation is an excellent comparison because clothing is usually an outward reflection of who we are and what we do. In the same way, our lifestyle as believers in Christ is a reflection who we are because of what Christ did for us. We ought to be excited to be able to experience a new way of living because of our new life in Christ.

In the French novel The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, the fictional heroes have a memorable motto: “All for one and one for all.” The group pledged to stand together in their common fight for a common goal. As I thought about Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, I realized he was trying to get the Ephesian church to adopt a similar motto of unity.

As believers we are united by our joint calling as Christ’s followers. Paul urges the Ephesians to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (v. 1). In the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul had laid a foundation of biblical doctrine. Now, in chapter 4, he challenges them that how they are living should be an outpouring of what they believe.

Our calling changes our behavior. Notice the words Paul uses to describe this desired behavior in verses 2 and 3: humble, gentle, patient, unity, peace. We are united as believers through Christ’s death and resurrection and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When Paul says to “make every effort” in verse 3, he means that we should put energy into preserving this unity. In other words, the Spirit is the source of unity among believers, but it is our responsibility to “guard” or protect this unity (v. 3).

Paul goes into detail to illustrate the common beliefs we share. The word “one” appears over and over again: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (vv. 4–6). All for One, Lord Jesus.

If you have coronary artery disease, it means that the arteries in your heart are narrowed or blocked by a sticky material called plaque. A doctor may recommend a procedure called an angioplasty, where a tube with a tiny balloon on the end is inserted into an artery leading to the heart. The procedure opens the blockage and restores normal blood flow to your heart muscle.

In Ephesians 3, Paul is probing the heart of the church in Ephesus with the goal of dislodging any blockage that might be hindering the work of Christ in the lives of God’s people. The blockage referred to here and in chapter 2 is division within the church. In Ephesians 2, Paul reminded the church of the past divisions that had existed between the Jewish people and the Gentiles. He gave them good news, that “now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (v. 13).

Paul prays for all of God’s people to be strengthened (v. 16) and “for God to dwell in their hearts” (v. 17). He prays that through God’s love they will be rooted (like a plant) and established (like a building). The participles “being rooted and established” are in the perfect tense, indicating a past action with continuing results. You could translate this as “having been and continuing to be rooted and established.”

The result is that through faith Christ may “dwell” (katoikēsai) in believers’ hearts. This does not refer to the beginning of Christ’s indwelling at salvation. Instead, it is the desire that Christ may, literally, “be at home in” or at the very center of our life. We can ask ourselves: Can Christ make Himself at home in a heart full of blockages?

If I asked, “How can I pray for you?” What would you answer? I am always deeply appreciative when someone thinks enough of me to take the time to pray on my behalf. In Ephesians chapter 1, the Apostle Paul explains why intercessory prayer is so important in the body of Christ. Paul informed the saints in Ephesians that he continuously prayed for them (vv. 16–17). Then he became even more transparent and shared with them specifically what he was constantly asking God to do for them.

First, he prayed for them to have the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation” so they could know God better (v. 17). Second, he prayed for them to know the hope to which they were called, of being his “glorious inheritance” (v. 18). Lastly, he prayed for them to know the “incomparably great power” of God for those who believe in Him (v. 19). How great is this power? This is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and exalted Him to the right hand of God! In other words, He has all power and according to verse 22, He did it for the church!

Paul sets an excellent example for us to follow as believers. We should not only pray for one another but also know what to request on behalf of one another. He explains that it is very important for us to pray for one another lest we become prey. Paul understood this potential danger: “With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all saints” (Eph. 6:18). It is a privilege to pray for fellow believers.