When Paul preached the good news in Ephesus, many people’s priorities and ways of life changed profoundly (cf. Acts 19:18-22). Paul believed it was important that they understand that this was not something they had accomplished on their own initiative or strength. They were God’s accomplishment (Greek poema), living out the kind of life God desired them to live.

• Today’s reading said salvation “is God’s gift. It’s not something you possessed. It’s not something you did that you can be proud of.” Of course, none of those first-generation Christians went to Sunday School or learned from Christian parents! In what ways does Ephesians’ language capture your life experience? Do you ever think that, in your case, God just took what was already a pretty good life and “bumped it up a notch”?
• To what extent have God’s priorities become, not just an occasional exercise that you do when there’s a special church activity, but woven into “the way that we live our lives”? How open are you to letting God continue to shape the way you live the “secular” parts of your life—driving, shopping, business activities, playing and watching sports, and the like?