20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. – Ephesians 5:20 – 21

We have so much to be thankful for. Ephesians details so many incredible blessings and so many reasons to thank and praise God.

We are called to a radical spirit of gratitude. To thank God in the midst of all kinds of difficulties and trials, and in the midst of all kinds of blessings and joys. By doing so, we can avoid being a grumbling and negative people, and constantly craving what we do not have.

We are also to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Jesus submitted to His Father’s will perfectly out of love. Out of reverence for Him and what He has done, we are to submit to one another. To serve, love and build up one another. What a picture of the church that is.

Interestingly, in the Greek text verses 18–21 form one long sentence. It commences with ‘be filled with the Spirit’, and the final result here of the Spirit filling us, is all of us submitting to one another.

We pray, Lord, that You would help us to always give thanks to You, and to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

David Lather – Creek Road Campus