In Acts 20 Paul is wrapping up his 3rd church planting (missionary) journey, leaving the city of Ephesus for the last time. Six years later he writes a letter to the church in Ephesus (as well as the surrounding region). His letter can be neatly divided into two halves. The first half is Paul reminding them of who they are in Christ, and their new identity. The second half is all about how they should then live because of who they are and Whose they are. Our default is to work hard to get it all right, get enough likes on Instagram, climb the corporate ladder, act a certain way, attain a certain status, or please enough people to achieve our desired identity. But the Gospel turns that all on its head. The truth is that we receive our identity, we don't achieve it. Identity first, then activity follows.
