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As we continue reading the letters of Paul to the churches I would encourage you to read each of them as you would a letter sent to you by a loved one. Reading Ephesians from beginning to end at one time helps us to see the whole picture Paul was painting. Taking a chapter or a few verses can sometimes distort the theme or message of the letter.
Notice how Paul's thoughts flow. First he tells them who he is---a greeting, then who they are now as compared to who they once were, and finally tells them to follow the Spirit within them in their daily living. There is something for everyone; Jews, Gentiles, Ministers, Husbands, Wives, Fathers, Children, Leaders and Slaves. The whole letter is one of giving praise to the Father and encouragement to the believers.
I trust you will hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches through Paul. If you have heard and heeded the voice of the Spirit call you to the Father, then you are included in this message from Paul. What a wonderful thought. God did this for me!

Eph 3:17-19
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (From New International Version)

What a blessing it would be if we could fully realize the vastness of the gifts the Father has given us. Just think we have the power to believe the Bible and its message. It is so limitless yet we don't take advantage of it as much as we could, we seem not to fully understand the whole plan, but never the less it is there. There is much we tend to pass over never quite getting into the depth of the Fathers love or plans for us.

No matter where we are this day, there is more to accept and to achieve!

Ephesians 4
To live worthy of the calling we have received, (vs.1) is a full time commitment that requires us to examine our selves daily if not hourly. When I read the instructions given by Paul in his letters to the church and to me, I have a tendency to pick and choose those I will accept. This is not the way to live
"worthy of my calling".

We are not allowed to pick what commandments we will keep.
The authority of Christ in our lives demands us to accept each and every direction the Holy Spirit conveys to us. If I am a called teacher, I must teach--if a called leader, I must lead--if a prophet etc. We are to live out our calling in order the whole body will grow and mature in the fullness of Christ. If I decide I will not accept my part, then the whole body suffers to some extent. When I do accept
and perform within my capabilities, the whole body gains to that same extent. Can I do it all? Never! Will the body die if I choose not to participate? Never!

There is so much wrapped up in these directions to the church. We would do well to study them in depth and make the changes necessary in order for the whole body to grow stronger and stronger, becoming more and more Christ-like.

I feel one of the most important issues we have is being honest with one another. Sometimes honesty and truth is painful, but at the same time no pain, no gain is something we all know quite well. Most of the time truth needs to be said in such a loving manner the recipient can and will accept it and benefit from it; however there are times truth needs to be said regardless of the consequences but always
with a redemptive motive.

Ephesians 6
Here is a portion of scripture many like to teach or preach about; the armor of God. Put on the whole armor of God is the call. These instructions tell me there is a war going on and if we want to get into the fight we need the whole armor of God. What puzzles me most is we have far more people teaching about the armor than we do using it.
My question is; why put on the armor then refuses to get into the fight. Seems like it would be a very tiring place to be, all suited up, standing on the sidelines watching the progress of the Kingdom. I say if we are not going to war why even think about armor? But if we really plan to fight we better rest assured we are in full armor. It is needed.