Today we would not tell slaves to obey their masters. We see slavery in any form as an intolerable evil and we would do everything in our power to abolish it. But Ephesians still has an important and timeless point to make. Regardless of the situation we find ourselves in we can witness to Jesus by our way of life. It doesn't matter if we live in an oppressive environment or have an unjust boss - we should always be a beacon of light and hope. By demonstrating the way of Jesus in our everyday life we can have a profound effect on others. Who knows, we might even convert our oppressor!

Faith cannot be taken for granted. Luke tells us that familiarity with Jesus or going to church in themselves are no guarantee of being right in the eyes of the Lord. There are many who are self-satisfied and sure that they have it made spiritually who will find themselves at the bottom. There are also those who struggle and fall but continue to walk in faith - they will be lifted up. The door to the kingdom of God is narrow indeed - only love, humility, and service can fit through. All of the religious talk and activity in the world is of little use if we are lacking that important element. Hearing the word of God means doing the word of God - the two cannot be separated. The manner of our everyday life is the test of how well we have listened.