Who are you?” boomed front man Roger Daltrey of The Who, channeling guitarist Pete Townshend’s angry lyrics. The 1978 song has attained iconic status, perhaps because it resonates with so many of us. Deep down, we really don’t care what we are. The real question is who we are.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians divides neatly into two sections. In chapters 1–3, Paul simply reminded his readers who they were—adopted sons and daughters of Jesus Christ. As such, they had . . .

• redemption and forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7)

• a guaranteed inheritance through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:11-14)

• eternal life by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:1-10)

• intimacy, peace, reconciliation, and unity with God and His children (Ephesians 2:11-18)

• citizenship in the dwelling place of God (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Because of who we are, Paul could turn his attention in chapters 4–6 to commands and instructions for us. “Lead a life worthy of your calling, for [we] have been called by God,” he wrote (Ephesians 4:1). “Keep yourselves united in the Spirit” (Ephesians 4:3). We are to “imitate God . . . because [we] are His dear children” (Ephesians 5:1). “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion” (Ephesians 6:18).

“Can you see the real me?” demanded Daltrey in another desperate, searching song by The Who. Were we to ask that question of a watching world, the answer ought to be a resounding yes. Our lives are to be open books. We are “people of light” who don’t need to hide in the shadows (Ephesians 5:8).

Other people may not understand us. But they should wonder about the mysterious plan that is God’s church (Ephesians 3:3) and inquire about it. Our answer? We are simply forgiven and accepted by God as His children and reconciled to Him by His Son Jesus, who gave up His life for us (Ephesians 5:25).

So, who are you?

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 10:24-48