*This week, we will focus on the book of Ephesians. The readings through August 31 walk through this classic letter of the Apostle Paul. I encourage you to read the book along with these devotionals, one chapter a day, mindful, of course, that there is no devotional on Saturday, August 31. But by then, you’ll be an expert on Ephesians! If you missed a day, all Think, Pray, Do, devotionals are archived at https://tedgoshorn.org/think-pray-do/. 

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 5

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2

Perhaps no verse better sums up the book of Ephesians, and these devotionals for this week, than this verse. 

Set an example, Paul says. As we have walked through Ephesians this week, setting an example in faith and practice has been an implicit theme: set an example of unity, of peace, of encouragement, of faith. It reminds me of a famous quote often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, although it’s never been proven as coming from him. The quote says, “preach the gospel to all the world and, if necessary, use words.” 

Consider the world around you. Not the whole world, not the news media, but the places where you live and breath and have your being. What characterizes that world? My guess is too often, it’s division, conflict, and discouragement. To set an example in the faith, to preach the gospel without words, is to live a life of unity, peace, and encouragement. 

We speak often as Christians of living a life that leads others to the gospel. In Ephesians, we see the way to do that, one that is countercultural and attractive within the worlds where we live and move and have our being: living a life of unity, peace, and encouragement. 

Think
How can you live a life of greater unity, peace, and encouragement, setting that countercultural and attractive example for the sake of the gospel? 

Pray
Ask God to show you how to live such a lifestyle. 

Do
Write down some specific ways you will adjust your life to seek greater unity, peace, and encouragement. Put that somewhere prominent to remind yourself daily. 

Think, Pray, Do. As we respond in faith to scripture, God moves in power through our minds, hearts, and bodies. We are the people of God. Thanks for reading today. Go in peace. Amen.

Think, Pray, Do devotionals by Ted Goshorn follow the suggested bible reading plan from his website and book, Prayer Changes Us. Find this Bible reading plan at tedgoshorn.org/biblereading. If you have found today’s devotion helpful, don’t forget to subscribe for daily emails at tedgoshorn.org and share with others that we may think, pray, and do faithfully.