Day 1: Ephesians 1: 1-2: Grace, Peace, & Identity

In Christ, identity is received through grace, not achieved through performance. Paul opens Ephesians by identifying himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, grounding his authority not in status but in calling. He then addresses believers as "saints," meaning those who belong to God and are set apart in Christ- not because of moral perfection, but because of identity.In a city like Ephesus, where identity was shaped by trade, religion, and social class, this was a radical statement. Paul then speaks grace and peace over them, reminding them that the foundation of the Christian life is not striving toward God but receiving what God has already given through Christ.Reflection: Do you then to define yourself by what you do or what God says about you?