“Livin’ Large is experiencing the new life we have in Christ. It is living the Christian life in the power of the Holy Spirit and it is practicing (Ephesians 4-6) our position (Ephesians 1-3).”
Ephesians 1:1-2
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God to God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This typical Pauline greeting sets the tone for the whole book of Ephesians. Themes like “the will of God”, being “God’s holy people”, and “grace” dominate this letter. Paul takes the first three chapters to inspire us with our new position in Christ. Then he hits the ground running with five overarching exhortations to be “Livin’ Large” in light of our new position in Christ. As a believer in Jesus Christ you are a part of God’s holy people; you have been included and called to God’s will and everything about your relationship with Him comes by His grace.
Take a moment to consider the following truths:
“…With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” (Eph. 1:9-10)
“4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Eph. 2:4-5)
“6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 3:6)
How ought you to be living in light of these truths? What difference is your new identity in Christ making in your daily life? Do you experience a connection between having new life in Christ and living new life in Christ? These are questions that God wants us to ask and answer. Let me suggest a spiritual exercise to jump start your day: Each morning, before all the stuff of the day gets in to full swing, take some time to review all your blessings in Christ, ask God to energize you with His Holy Spirit and intentionally connect the dots of your day to the deep truths of your new identity in Christ. When we live life based on Christ’s resources that’s when we are Livin’ Large!