Letter for Mission

So I've rambled about some basic bits of pieces, like making time, LSP, typical fears and the like (see earlier entries). So what now?

Well I would like to start considering mission by turning to a part of the Bible that may surprise you - to what many consider a 'pastoral' epistle, i.e. Ephesians.

How can that be?

Well to get my point, you have to come with me on what I see as a trajectory through Ephesians. We'll start here with the first three chapters.

Chapter 1 talks about a 'chosen people', why is that? Its part of a plan to bring all things together under Christ (see v10), ultimately for His praise & glory (v12). There is a power at work here which Paul hopes we can know better (v15).

This plan, amazingly, is seen in constrasts. See chapter 2 and the contrast of what people are saved from, from being lost to God's riches ... to do God's work. That 'to do ...' is all important! Continue the chapter, you have contrast of former hostility to todays reconciliation made possible in Christ. Its stirring stuff!

Whats it all for? Well in chapter 3 we see God's wisdom purposes. You might argue that v1-9 is a bit of self-qualification for Paul, but it soon leads back to the wider people through whom God's wisdom is revealed. Those same people chosen back in chapter 1, having transitioned through the contrasts of chapter 2 are those in which the power of God is now at work (see v20-21). This is God at work, through His people, for all to see, not just those on the 'inside'.

Chapter 4 goes on to talk about living up to this calling, but more on that later. There's something big going on here - God, people, revealing, transformation ... to bring all things in heaven & earth together under one head, Jesus Christ.