Ephesians 1:1 – “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus.”
We can’t help but notice how Eph 1: 1 sets the stage for the entire letter. The apostle Paul introduces himself as the author and establishes his authority as an apostle of Christ Jesus – someone chosen and sent out by God himself.
But who exactly are the recipients of this letter? They are “the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus.” It’s important to note that while this letter was written specifically to the church in Ephesus, it was intended to be circulated and read by many churches in the region. So, we can read it as a message to all believers, not just those in one particular place.
Let’s consider how this verse applies to our digital world. In today’s age of social media and instant communication, it’s easy to get caught up in the sense of self-importance.
We can curate our online personas to present a polished and perfect image, and we can quickly amass a large following of people who admire us. But as Jesus’ followers, we are called to remember that our identity and authority come from Christ alone, not from the number of likes or followers we have.
Furthermore, just as Paul wrote to the saints in Ephesus, we have a responsibility to use our online platforms to encourage and edify other believers. We should strive to be faithful in our words and actions and to use our digital presence as a way to point others towards Christ.
Ephesians 1:1 serves as a powerful reminder that our identity and authority come from Christ and that we have a responsibility to use our words and actions – both online and offline – to glorify Him. Let us be faithful in all things, and may our digital interactions be a reflection of our love for Him.