Living a life that follows Christ calls us to be different. We shouldn’t blend in with the culture but be distinctive and stand out. There should be something different about us that captures the attention of those we interact with daily.

As John MacArthur beautifully observed before his passing, Paul prays for believers to comprehend and appreciate who they are in Jesus Christ—to begin understanding the magnificent and unlimited blessings that already belong to them in the Lord.

What Makes a Christian Stand Out in Today’s World

In Ephesians 1:15, Paul mentions two qualities that had caught his attention about the Ephesian believers:

• Their faith in Christ - Not just saving faith, but the exhibition of a committed life displaying what it means to walk with Jesus.
• Their love for all the saints - The way they demonstrated love toward fellow believers.

These two qualities—faith in Christ and love for others—are repeatedly emphasized throughout Paul’s letters. In Colossians 1:4, he uses almost identical language: “since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints.”

When we identify with Jesus, it changes who we are, how we think, and how we live. Our faith becomes visible, and our love becomes tangible.

What Does Living Faith Look Like in a Church Community

Living examples speak louder than words. Faith in action looks like:

• People who serve behind the scenes without seeking recognition
• Those who overcome spiritual stagnation by diving into God’s Word
• Believers who step out of their comfort zones to share the gospel
• Individuals who use their gifts to serve others, whether through cooking, visiting the sick, or simply encouraging others

These are the saints—not dead religious figures, but living, breathing followers of Christ who model what it means to walk with Jesus.

How Should We Pray for One Another?

Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:16-19 provides a model for how we should pray for each other:

• Prayers with a heart of thanksgiving - Being specific about what God has done
• Prayers for the Holy Spirit’s activity in other’s lives
• Prayers that God would expand our hearts and understanding
• Prayers for virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, and love
• Prayers that the knowledge of God would be revealed
• Prayers that the eyes of our hearts would be enlightened
• Prayers for appreciation of the riches of God’s inheritance

As 2 Peter 1:8 reminds us, “For if these qualities are yours and increasing, they will keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

What Does Christ’s Authority Mean for Believers Today?

In Ephesians 1:20-23, Paul describes the exhibition of Christ’s authority. He emphasizes that:

• God exalted Christ to His throne because Christ humbled Himself on the cross
• Christ is seated at the right hand of God in heavenly places
• He is far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion
• Every name is under His name
• All things are under His feet
• He is head over all things to the church, which is His body

This exalted position of Christ should have profound effects on us:

• It should excite us with great joy
• It should inspire our reverence to God and Christ our Savior
• It should heighten our service and devotion to Jesus
• It should encourage us to embrace the eternal hope we have in Christ
• It should lead us to love others the way Jesus loved us
• It should lead us to live a life of thanksgiving and praise

Life Application

The Christian life doesn’t stop with simply saying “I love Jesus.” It calls for a response.

This week, consider how you can live out your faith in practical ways:

• Pray with purpose: Instead of just saying “I’ll pray for you,” take time to pray specifically for others using Paul’s model in Ephesians 1.
• Serve behind the scenes: Find a way to serve others without seeking recognition, whether through cooking, visiting, encouraging, or using whatever gifts God has given you.
• Grow in knowledge: Commit to deepening your understanding of Scripture through Bible study, whether individually or in a group setting.
• Share your faith: Look for opportunities to tell others about Jesus, remembering that God prepares hearts and goes before you.
• Live distinctively: Ask yourself daily, “Does my life stand out in a way that points others to Christ?”

Ask yourself: Am I displaying both faith in Christ and love for others? Do my prayers reflect the depth and maturity of Paul’s prayers? Does my life acknowledge Christ’s authority in all things? How can I better glorify Jesus in my life, my church, and my home this week?