    If one of the effects of applying the Gospel to our lives is the strengthening of faith, then we see the evidence of this effect in Paul’s words from the reading today. Paul is strengthened by his knowledge of the faith that has been reported among the Ephesians. In his rejoicing because of that faith, he appeals to God that the Ephesians might be strengthened even more by coming to understand their faith and how it applies to their lives even more fully. Such a prayer cannot but help not only the Ephesians, but Paul as well.
    The amazing thing about our faith and the Gospel that provides, preserves, and defends it is that it is a living faith. It is a faith that has existed since before time began and that will survive until time ends. It is a faith that was promised to us before we were conceived and a faith that will survive our mortal deaths. It is a faith that binds us to our God for all eternity.
    Further, think of all the words that are used to describe the results of the Gospel and our faith. How many of them are verbs? How many of them are things we do because we have faith. The point is that our living faith does not just live in that it binds us to our God and the promise of a place in Heaven, it is also a living faith that causes us to act. One of those actions is to continuously strengthen our faith by remaining in the Word and the Sacraments, and by doing so, to act as an example for the strengthening of the faith of others. And if our faith is strong, then what else can out evangelism be?
DLH
