Part 75 of the David Pawson 'Unlocking the Bible' Podcast series
David Pawson says the best defense against heresy is solid, good teaching and that’s what Paul gave to the Ephesians via this letter, protecting them against false teaching. This teaching is the very foundation of Christian living. Ephesus was a key town in the history of the early church. A port city, it had an enormous temple to the goddess Diana. Silversmiths sold reproductions of a meteorite which had fallen to Ephesus, supposedly symbolizing the goddess and Paul’s preaching had brought hostility from these silversmiths. His letter is in two clear halves, dealing with our relationship with God in Christ and our relationship with others in the Lord. David terms the first half Salvation worked in (doctrine – what we are saved by) and the 2nd, Salvation worked out (duty – what we are saved for). We are not saved by good deeds, but we are saved for good deeds. David says that a Gospel that doesn’t work out in life is not the full Gospel. We need both halves – and in the order presented because we cannot live the Christian life before we’ve been saved. Paul’s teaching is couched in a hymn of praise for God’s power and purpose. Our battles are not with flesh and blood. David beautifully explains predestination.