Background Story: The book of Ephesians was written as a letter to the church in Ephesus. It is believed that Paul wrote this while in prison in Rome.

Read Ephesians 3

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

² Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ³ that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 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.

⁷ I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. ⁸ Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, ⁹ and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, ¹¹ according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. ¹³ I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Big Idea: To live for Christ, we cannot live for self.

The longer I follow Jesus, the more I desire to get out of the way. Within me lives this thirst to know Him, to become more like Him, and to make Him known. The greatest obstacle to overcome in this pursuit is a simple, four-letter word… SELF.

In a modern world that elevates and promotes self (our needs, our desires, our truth, our brand, our pleasure), the cross stands in complete opposition. The cross calls us to our knees in surrender. It instructs us to follow our Messiah as a servant, giving up our way for the sake of the gospel (John 13:1-17). It preaches to us to, “take up our cross daily and follow Him” (Luke 9:23).

One of my favorite modern theologians, A.W. Tozer said, “To be specific, the self-sins are these: self-righteousness, self-pity, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, self-admiration, self-love and a host of others like them” (The Pursuit of God).

The more we focus on self, the less we magnify and honor Jesus. Like David, we must learn to live in constant awareness that everything we have, all that we need, and everything “good” comes only from Him.

Takeaway Verse:

Song For Today:

Looking For More?

Devotions4Teens Videos: 3 Tips to Help You Grow Closer to God!, Becoming More Like Jesus, The Gospel- 3 Minute Presentation, I Want to See, Sneaky Sin

Similar Devotions: What Is A Follower?, The Great Exchange, Authentic Worship, Deep Roots, Becoming Less, Live Life Loud, Jumping Off the Fence, My Body, Just Enough For Today, Remaining Faithful, The Power Illusion, The Responsive Heart, #StealthyServant, A Different Love