Like to the Romans (start of chapter 12 in particular), Paul was writing to the churches in and around Ephesus that since God had shown His glorious grace and love in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in order to bring them into His family and share the spiritual blessings promised to the Israelites, they should now, based on God's revelation of His love, live for His glory and remain steadfast, not turning back to their old sinful ways despite hardships and difficulties.
"If it is love that believes the resurrection, it is because the resurrection reveals the Creator's sovereign love for creation and the utter lengths to which he would go to rescue and restore it and to fulfill its age-old purpose." (N.T Wright, History & Eschatology, 205)
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