Jeremy L. Berg

 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus” (1:1).

When we surrender our lives to God and begin our new life with Christ, we receive a new address. Regardless of our earthly residence — whether Ephesus or Minneapolis — we’re given a new place to call home. We are transported out of the realm of darkness, rebellion, ignorance and destruction, and given a new home “in Christ.”

This signature phrase of Paul shows up 164 times in his 13 letters in various forms such as “in Christ,” “in the Lord,” “in him,” etc. More than any other letter, Ephesians emphasizes this theme (36 times) as Paul tries to capture the powerful existential truth that we now share a deep union with Christ as we live in the sphere of his activity, under his transformative influence, making our home with him, seating at the dinner table with him every night as it were, and rising each morning to share breakfast with him before facing a new day. Like a gold fish who sees his entire world through the water in which he “moves, breathes and has his being”, so too all who are in Christ now abide in, swimming in the vast ocean of Christ’s love and redeeming purposes.

With Christ-colored lenses, we now see our life, our purpose, our value through the eyes of God.  Yes, Christ gives us an entirely different identity to live the rest of our lives with. We live in Christ — in his love, in his enduring promises, in his grace, in his mercy, in his purposes and will, in his forgiveness, in his hope, in his truth. Yes, we have a new address, brothers and sisters. Let’s enjoy the view!