Eph 1: 1 sets the stage for Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Church at Ephesus. Paul establishes his identity and authority as an apostle of Christ Jesus—someone chosen and sent out by God himself.
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.”
Ephesians: A message for all
Who are the recipients of this letter? Paul wrote this letter to “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 regional churches.
So, we can read it as a message to all believers, not just those in one particular place.
Our True Identity
How does this verse apply 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 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.
Making the most of our digital presence
Furthermore, as Paul wrote to the saints in Ephesus, we are responsible for using our online platforms to encourage and edify other believers. We should strive to be faithful in our words and actions and use our digital presence to point others toward Christ.
Final Words
Ephesians 1:1 serves as a potent reminder that our identity and authority come from Christ and that we are responsible for using our words and actions—both online and offline—to glorify Him.
Let us be faithful in all things, and may our digital interactions reflect our love for Him.
