I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3)
Calling oneself a "prisoner in the Lord" is not something that I would necessarily think to do, at least first and foremost. Still, with Paul's history, his brushes with the law, and the realities of his own imprisonments perhaps it makes sense.
Some believe that Paul wrote this letter in the early 60's A.D. perhaps during an imprisonment. Others believe that Paul did not write Ephesians, but that a follower of Paul did, later on. Some of the earliest manuscripts even omit any reference to Ephesus, suggesting that perhaps it is a general letter written to provide a message for the whole church.
Whether Ephesians is authentically Pauline or not, the reminder that we are called to "lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called" i.e. the baptismal life, is one that indeed challenges us all.
Humility. Gentleness. Patience. Bearing others burdens in love. Maintaining unity through peace.
All attributes of Jesus. Can they be ours as well?
Lord, you call us to follow you into the chains and burdens of love. Amen.
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