Greetings again my friends,
The memory passage for Ephesians 6 is'
Ephesians 6:1,5,10-11 (ESV)
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
The outline theme is Submission and Armor in Him.
Paul continues on the theme of submission (picked up from the second half of chapter 5) and deals with the parent-child relationship and the slave-master relationship. Children are to obey their parents because it is right; according to the 5th commandment. Fathers (again only fathers are mentioned here, as in Col 3:21) should not provoke (exasperate) their children to anger, but should be disciplined to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
While the slave-master relationship does not exist in our modern culture, there are principles that apply to other interactions such as the employee-employer relationship. The keys that Paul outlines for proper service are obedience, reverence, sincerity, integrity, doing the will of God, and working as if for the Lord. This can be done regardless of any human response or reward because all things 'reward-worthy' will be acknowledged by the Lord. Masters must always remember that they, too, have a Master who gives them the right example of how to lead. In fact, our Master gives us the perfect example of a Servant and a Master.
In both of these relationships we see principles for godly submission in whatever our situation may be. Of course, we must remember to first be submitted to our Master and let Him and His peace rule in all of our relationships.
The second section of Ephesians 6 is introduced well in vv 10-11; be strong in the Lord and put on His armor. By drawing on His endless strength and bearing His armor we can stand against the schemes of the devil. These schemes do not originate with flesh and blood, but with the spiritual forces of evil that are working in this present age.
Now to the armor; again with the purpose of withstanding the evil in this age. The six pieces listed are;
1. belt of truth (listed first; the belt holds the armor together)
2. breastplate of righteousness (righteous living in the Spirit)
3. shoes of the Gospel (as the foundation on which we stand in hope and peace)
4. shield of faith (or a shield made of faith, protects the other armor)
5. helmet of salvation (protects our head, assures us of victory and salvation)
6. sword of the Spirit ('word' is the preached word (rhema) as directed by the Spirit for a specific need)
While not pieces of the armor, per se, prayer and alertness are critical characteristics of a soldier who is fully girded for battle. We must pray continually (1 Thess 5:17) in the power and sphere of the Spirit and be persistent in perseverance. Paul includes (as He does in Col 4) a plea for prayer for himself and his ministry of boldly proclaiming the Gospel.
In order that the Ephesians would know how and what Paul was doing, Paul sent his faithful brother and messenger Tychicus. Paul's written testimony and personal testimony are to be a source of encouragement to the hearts of the believers.
How does this affect my worship?
Even though the context is good servant-hood, the content of verse 6 seems to speak also to our worship. Worship that is truly pleasing to God is not to be done 'in front of other people'. Even while in the corporate setting (in which we are clearly visible by others) our actions should not be to draw attention to ourselves. As servants, and worshipers, of Christ, we are to do His will and offer Him worship from a heart that longs to obey Him and serve Him. We are to be God-pleasers, not man-pleasers.
How does this affect my discipleship?
One commentator noted that there is no armor listed for one's back. If nothing else, it caused me to think about the importance of not going into battle alone. As you walk with the Lord and bear His armor in the battle against the enemy, it is critical to go to battle with someone who has your back. We were never intended to fight this battle without Him, and we were never intended to fight this battle without each other.
Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible,
Ethan
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Ephesians 5
Greetings,
The memory passage for Ephesians 5 is;
Ephesians 5:1-2,22,25 (ESV)
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
The outline theme is Love and Marriage in Him.
Ephesians 5 is divided into two main sections; the first focusing on our walk with God in Christ and the second focusing on the walk of spouses with each other.
The word 'walk' appears three times in the first 21 verses; walk in love, walk as children of light and walk in wisdom. The first walk is the one that flavors the rest of the chapter; if we are walking in love according to the example of Christ (selfless, sacrificial, and serving) then our relationship with God, other people, and our spouses will be transformed.
Paul follows the first command to walk in love with several negative commands concerning sexual immorality and filthy talk. This impurity, as evidenced in the sons of disobedience, will not inherit the kingdom of God. This behavior is not only the opposite of the will of God, but it is bringing His wrath upon those who walk in sin.
Therefore, we are warned not to associate with them (become partners). It would be inconsistent for a child of God to be associated with (in the sense of being linked to or united with) those who still walk in sin and the flesh (as we once walked before following Christ).
Instead of hanging around or near the works of darkness, we are to walk as children of light in goodness, righteousness and truth. This walk is pleasing to the Lord. And He uses our walk in the light to expose the works of darkness. There seems to be two elements to this; the workers of darkness (those unsaved, living in sin) and the works of darkness done by believers who bear unfruitful works of darkness.
The third element of our walk in the love of Christ is walking in His wisdom and seeking His will. This plays out as we are separated from the world and filled with Holy Spirit. It is evidenced (along with the fruits and gifts of the Spirit) in our relationships; with each other in corporate worship, with the Lord in singing, with God in thanksgiving through the name of Christ, and with each other in submission (our of reverence and in the model of Christ).
The second main section of Ephesians 5 deals with the marriage relationship. It is filled with commands and instructions for the wife and the husband. The wife is to submit to her own husband as unto the Lord (not in the same way, but as an act of service and love). This command comes with the description of the husband's role; head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. So the wife's role is likened to the churches role with Christ.
Husbands must love their wives as Christ loved the church and died for her (in order that He might make the church holy through the cleansing of the water and blood to present her holy and blameless). Paul reasons this out; just as a husband loves his own body and takes care of it, so should he love and take care of his wife.
The husband and wife have left their parent's home and care, being united to each other as one flesh. The responsibility that follows this union is the husband loving his wife as himself and the wife respecting her husband.
I am going to diverge from my normal summary for this week's entry. I do so only because I was struck very profoundly by one verse in this study that unlocked the whole chapter for me.
It seems that this chapter is one that comes up often in the context of marriage (obviously) and women's roles in the home and church. The majority of the flap seems to center around women resisting the command to 'submit' to her husband or any man; how are women supposed to be equal if they must submit to their husbands? Then, as if reading it for the first time, I was struck by verse 2. "And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Without trying to be overly simplistic, this verses hit me as the key to the marriage relationship, and every relationship for that matter. If we walk in the love of Christ, His sacrificial, selfless, servant love, the difficulties of authority and submission go away. This goes for husbands and wives, parents and children, pastors and church members, brothers and sisters in the body, bosses and employees, etc. If I, as a husband, love my wife with the love of Christ and give myself up for her, not only will I honor Christ but I will make it a whole lot easier for her to honor Christ in her relationship to me. It plays out that way in any human relationship. Follow Christ, His words and example, and He will fulfill your roles through you for His glory. The heart of 'submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ' is each of us walking in His love.
May you walk in His love today,
Ethan
The memory passage for Ephesians 5 is;
Ephesians 5:1-2,22,25 (ESV)
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
The outline theme is Love and Marriage in Him.
Ephesians 5 is divided into two main sections; the first focusing on our walk with God in Christ and the second focusing on the walk of spouses with each other.
The word 'walk' appears three times in the first 21 verses; walk in love, walk as children of light and walk in wisdom. The first walk is the one that flavors the rest of the chapter; if we are walking in love according to the example of Christ (selfless, sacrificial, and serving) then our relationship with God, other people, and our spouses will be transformed.
Paul follows the first command to walk in love with several negative commands concerning sexual immorality and filthy talk. This impurity, as evidenced in the sons of disobedience, will not inherit the kingdom of God. This behavior is not only the opposite of the will of God, but it is bringing His wrath upon those who walk in sin.
Therefore, we are warned not to associate with them (become partners). It would be inconsistent for a child of God to be associated with (in the sense of being linked to or united with) those who still walk in sin and the flesh (as we once walked before following Christ).
Instead of hanging around or near the works of darkness, we are to walk as children of light in goodness, righteousness and truth. This walk is pleasing to the Lord. And He uses our walk in the light to expose the works of darkness. There seems to be two elements to this; the workers of darkness (those unsaved, living in sin) and the works of darkness done by believers who bear unfruitful works of darkness.
The third element of our walk in the love of Christ is walking in His wisdom and seeking His will. This plays out as we are separated from the world and filled with Holy Spirit. It is evidenced (along with the fruits and gifts of the Spirit) in our relationships; with each other in corporate worship, with the Lord in singing, with God in thanksgiving through the name of Christ, and with each other in submission (our of reverence and in the model of Christ).
The second main section of Ephesians 5 deals with the marriage relationship. It is filled with commands and instructions for the wife and the husband. The wife is to submit to her own husband as unto the Lord (not in the same way, but as an act of service and love). This command comes with the description of the husband's role; head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. So the wife's role is likened to the churches role with Christ.
Husbands must love their wives as Christ loved the church and died for her (in order that He might make the church holy through the cleansing of the water and blood to present her holy and blameless). Paul reasons this out; just as a husband loves his own body and takes care of it, so should he love and take care of his wife.
The husband and wife have left their parent's home and care, being united to each other as one flesh. The responsibility that follows this union is the husband loving his wife as himself and the wife respecting her husband.
I am going to diverge from my normal summary for this week's entry. I do so only because I was struck very profoundly by one verse in this study that unlocked the whole chapter for me.
It seems that this chapter is one that comes up often in the context of marriage (obviously) and women's roles in the home and church. The majority of the flap seems to center around women resisting the command to 'submit' to her husband or any man; how are women supposed to be equal if they must submit to their husbands? Then, as if reading it for the first time, I was struck by verse 2. "And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Without trying to be overly simplistic, this verses hit me as the key to the marriage relationship, and every relationship for that matter. If we walk in the love of Christ, His sacrificial, selfless, servant love, the difficulties of authority and submission go away. This goes for husbands and wives, parents and children, pastors and church members, brothers and sisters in the body, bosses and employees, etc. If I, as a husband, love my wife with the love of Christ and give myself up for her, not only will I honor Christ but I will make it a whole lot easier for her to honor Christ in her relationship to me. It plays out that way in any human relationship. Follow Christ, His words and example, and He will fulfill your roles through you for His glory. The heart of 'submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ' is each of us walking in His love.
May you walk in His love today,
Ethan
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Ephesians 4
Greetings,
The memory passage for Ephesians 4 is;
Ephesians 4:4-6, 22-24 (ESV)
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
The outline theme is Unity and New Life in Him.
While the first 3 chapters of Ephesians deal with mostly doctrine, the last three deal with practical applications to doctrine. The first section is the talk, the last section is the walk. Ephesians chapter 4 is divided into two main themes; Unity in the body of Christ and New Life in Christ. Notice that 'walk' appears in the first verse of each section (1, 17)
Our walk in unity is first of all charged to be 'worthy of the calling' of the Lord. Elements of this worthy walk are humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, love, unity and peace. Continuing on the unity (only from the Spirit), Paul lists seven statements of oneness; one body (of Christ), one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. Our oneness, with God and men, is completely reliant on Him.
The new few verses deal with the gifts of grace God gives the church. They include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. The purpose of these gifts to the church is to equip the saints for ministry and build up the body of Christ. The goal of these gifts is that the body attains to the unity of faith, the knowledge of God, mature manhood, and fullness in Christ. Only by the work of Holy Spirit in sanctification can this be attained. Our growth, along with our unity, are completely reliant on Him.
This growth leads to maturity in Him. As children we are tossed back and forth by temptation and deception, being deceived by false doctrine, human trickery and schemes. Our growth leads us out of this instability. The alternative; speak the truth in love, grow up in Him (our Head), be joined together in the body by Him, and function in the body through Him to build up the body in love.
From our walk in the Unity of Christ, Paul moves to our walk in the New Life that He gives us. As a negative command, the Gentile believers were to no longer walk as they used to; in futility, darkness of understanding, apart from God, in ignorance, and with hardness of heart. The fruit of the old walk were callousness, sensuality, greed, and impurity.
To contrast, Paul states strongly that 'this is not the way you learned Christ!'. In Him we must put off the old way of life that is corrupt with deceitful desires and renew our minds (Rom 12:2) with the new self that is created after the likeness of God; righteous and holy. What a trade! Futility, ignorance, separation from God, hardness of heart, callousness, sensuality, greed and impurity for a renewed spirit and mind, the likeness of God in holiness and righteousness...that is His will for us and His gift to us.
Verses 25-32 consist of 5 exhortations that follow this general pattern; a. negative command, b. positive command, c. reason for the positive command. I'll summarize next.
1. (v25)
a. put away falsehood
b. speak the truth with his neighbor
c. for we are members of one another (in the same body)
2. (26-27)
a. in anger, do not sin
b. do not let the sun go down when you are mad
c. Anger, especially that stews, opens the door for the deceiver to work.
3. (28)
a. do not steal
b. do honest work
c. the result, along with providing for your family, is to have something to offer in charity.
4. (29)
a. do not speak corruption with your mouth
b. speak what is upbuilding and appropriate
c. this gives grace to those who hear you
5 (30-32)
a. do not grieve the Holy Spirit (who has sealed your inheritance)
b. put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice
c. so that kindness, mercy, and forgiveness can flow, as God has enabled us through Christ.
How does this affect my worship?
The whole first part of this chapter deals with the unity of the body of Christ that only comes from God. This unity shows itself in the ministry and upbuilding of the church, but it also has a lot to do with our worship. The worship of a unified chorus lifts an sacrifice of praise that is 'worthy of the calling' we have from God. To Him belongs all glory, and in Him we have the unity that is required to give Him glorious glory. I see it over and over in Scripture; true worship that is acceptable and pleasing to God must come from Him, flow through Him, and be for Him.
How does this affect my discipleship?
While in vv 11-13, Paul is addressing the gift of people to the church for the equipping and edifying of the church, I see a parallel to the work of disciplemaking. The goals are similar in each; to attain unity of faith, knowledge of Christ, maturity, and fullness of Christ. I'm not going to change Paul's words or meaning, but I see here the value in the body of these characteristics; they appear as our character becomes more like Christ's. Teaching all that He commands (in obedience to His command to make disciples) produces in the individual some of the same results that the ministry of these 'gifted people' provide for the church. Somehow they work together.
May you walk in His unity and new life,
Ethan
The memory passage for Ephesians 4 is;
Ephesians 4:4-6, 22-24 (ESV)
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
The outline theme is Unity and New Life in Him.
While the first 3 chapters of Ephesians deal with mostly doctrine, the last three deal with practical applications to doctrine. The first section is the talk, the last section is the walk. Ephesians chapter 4 is divided into two main themes; Unity in the body of Christ and New Life in Christ. Notice that 'walk' appears in the first verse of each section (1, 17)
Our walk in unity is first of all charged to be 'worthy of the calling' of the Lord. Elements of this worthy walk are humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, love, unity and peace. Continuing on the unity (only from the Spirit), Paul lists seven statements of oneness; one body (of Christ), one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. Our oneness, with God and men, is completely reliant on Him.
The new few verses deal with the gifts of grace God gives the church. They include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. The purpose of these gifts to the church is to equip the saints for ministry and build up the body of Christ. The goal of these gifts is that the body attains to the unity of faith, the knowledge of God, mature manhood, and fullness in Christ. Only by the work of Holy Spirit in sanctification can this be attained. Our growth, along with our unity, are completely reliant on Him.
This growth leads to maturity in Him. As children we are tossed back and forth by temptation and deception, being deceived by false doctrine, human trickery and schemes. Our growth leads us out of this instability. The alternative; speak the truth in love, grow up in Him (our Head), be joined together in the body by Him, and function in the body through Him to build up the body in love.
From our walk in the Unity of Christ, Paul moves to our walk in the New Life that He gives us. As a negative command, the Gentile believers were to no longer walk as they used to; in futility, darkness of understanding, apart from God, in ignorance, and with hardness of heart. The fruit of the old walk were callousness, sensuality, greed, and impurity.
To contrast, Paul states strongly that 'this is not the way you learned Christ!'. In Him we must put off the old way of life that is corrupt with deceitful desires and renew our minds (Rom 12:2) with the new self that is created after the likeness of God; righteous and holy. What a trade! Futility, ignorance, separation from God, hardness of heart, callousness, sensuality, greed and impurity for a renewed spirit and mind, the likeness of God in holiness and righteousness...that is His will for us and His gift to us.
Verses 25-32 consist of 5 exhortations that follow this general pattern; a. negative command, b. positive command, c. reason for the positive command. I'll summarize next.
1. (v25)
a. put away falsehood
b. speak the truth with his neighbor
c. for we are members of one another (in the same body)
2. (26-27)
a. in anger, do not sin
b. do not let the sun go down when you are mad
c. Anger, especially that stews, opens the door for the deceiver to work.
3. (28)
a. do not steal
b. do honest work
c. the result, along with providing for your family, is to have something to offer in charity.
4. (29)
a. do not speak corruption with your mouth
b. speak what is upbuilding and appropriate
c. this gives grace to those who hear you
5 (30-32)
a. do not grieve the Holy Spirit (who has sealed your inheritance)
b. put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice
c. so that kindness, mercy, and forgiveness can flow, as God has enabled us through Christ.
How does this affect my worship?
The whole first part of this chapter deals with the unity of the body of Christ that only comes from God. This unity shows itself in the ministry and upbuilding of the church, but it also has a lot to do with our worship. The worship of a unified chorus lifts an sacrifice of praise that is 'worthy of the calling' we have from God. To Him belongs all glory, and in Him we have the unity that is required to give Him glorious glory. I see it over and over in Scripture; true worship that is acceptable and pleasing to God must come from Him, flow through Him, and be for Him.
How does this affect my discipleship?
While in vv 11-13, Paul is addressing the gift of people to the church for the equipping and edifying of the church, I see a parallel to the work of disciplemaking. The goals are similar in each; to attain unity of faith, knowledge of Christ, maturity, and fullness of Christ. I'm not going to change Paul's words or meaning, but I see here the value in the body of these characteristics; they appear as our character becomes more like Christ's. Teaching all that He commands (in obedience to His command to make disciples) produces in the individual some of the same results that the ministry of these 'gifted people' provide for the church. Somehow they work together.
May you walk in His unity and new life,
Ethan
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Ephesians 3
Greetings,
Chapter 3 of Ephesians is the last chapter of the first section of Ephesians (which is split in half by many commentators). In the midst of a prayer for spiritual strength for the letter's recipients, Paul goes into a deep explanation of the mystery of Christ.
The memory passage is:
Ephesians 3:6,16,19 (ESV)
6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
The outline theme is The Mystery and Strength in Him.
While verse 1 seems to refer back to the new standing of Jews and Gentiles on an equal plane, Paul quickly diverges into an explanation about the mystery of the Gospel. This unlocking of this mystery was made known to Paul through a revelation (Gal 1:11-12) which gave him insight and ability to teach the mystery of Christ.
Verse 6 holds the key to this section (and is thus in the memory passage). Here Paul basically says 'this is the concise definition of the mystery'; the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise. This is possible through the work of Christ that we preach in the Gospel. They (we) are heirs to the same inheritance, are adopted into the same body, and are now recipients of the promised Messiah.
Paul's ministry, however humbly he describes it, is to preach this mystery to the Gentiles. The same grace that was given to him in abundance, from the unsearchable riches of Christ, is to overflow to the Gentiles. Through the church, the wisdom of God will be evident to everyone; human and spiritual. This is the fulfillment of the plan that God realized in Christ.
Verse 12 just caught me. When I did the study, I passed by it quickly because it is self-explanatory. But just now it grabbed my attention. In Christ we have boldness (for the Gospel) and access (to the Father) with confidence (not fear) through our faith in Him. Where would we be without the work of Christ?
After the long parenthetical discourse on the mystery, Paul continues his prayer for the Ephesians. He prays to God, the only 'un-derived' Father (from no one) that He would strengthen them, according to the riches of His glory, with His power and through His Spirit so that it reaches our inner-most being.
How? May Christ dwell in your hearts as you are rooted and grounded in His love that is wider and longer and higher and deeper than we can comprehend. And be filled more and more with the fullness of God; which, in us, is the increase of His character and decrease of our flesh.
While vv 20-21 are used frequently as a benediction, the words ring with truth and poetic beauty. "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, Amen." Amen.
How does this affect my worship?
Going back to verse 12, the key to a true encounter with God in worship is access. Without access to His throne and His ear, we are simply offering up wishes; hoping He might hear us. But the Spirit of Christ is in us, and therefore we can cry out 'Abba, Father' and run to His arms. Our adoption into God's family is more than just a position, it's a relationship. And it is in this relationship that we can truly worship.
How does this affect my discipleship?
Preach, bring to light, make known, minister; these are all words that Paul uses to describe his ministry of the Gospel. As we walk, relationally and intentionally, with others in co-apprenticeship to Christ, all of these ministries come to bear. There are times of teaching and times of learning; times of shedding light and times of receiving light; times to give grace and to receive grace. But, as Christ modeled, this happens in the context of relationships. While Paul's ministry to me is this letter, his ministry to the people around him was his life.
To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus,
Ethan
Chapter 3 of Ephesians is the last chapter of the first section of Ephesians (which is split in half by many commentators). In the midst of a prayer for spiritual strength for the letter's recipients, Paul goes into a deep explanation of the mystery of Christ.
The memory passage is:
Ephesians 3:6,16,19 (ESV)
6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
The outline theme is The Mystery and Strength in Him.
While verse 1 seems to refer back to the new standing of Jews and Gentiles on an equal plane, Paul quickly diverges into an explanation about the mystery of the Gospel. This unlocking of this mystery was made known to Paul through a revelation (Gal 1:11-12) which gave him insight and ability to teach the mystery of Christ.
Verse 6 holds the key to this section (and is thus in the memory passage). Here Paul basically says 'this is the concise definition of the mystery'; the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise. This is possible through the work of Christ that we preach in the Gospel. They (we) are heirs to the same inheritance, are adopted into the same body, and are now recipients of the promised Messiah.
Paul's ministry, however humbly he describes it, is to preach this mystery to the Gentiles. The same grace that was given to him in abundance, from the unsearchable riches of Christ, is to overflow to the Gentiles. Through the church, the wisdom of God will be evident to everyone; human and spiritual. This is the fulfillment of the plan that God realized in Christ.
Verse 12 just caught me. When I did the study, I passed by it quickly because it is self-explanatory. But just now it grabbed my attention. In Christ we have boldness (for the Gospel) and access (to the Father) with confidence (not fear) through our faith in Him. Where would we be without the work of Christ?
After the long parenthetical discourse on the mystery, Paul continues his prayer for the Ephesians. He prays to God, the only 'un-derived' Father (from no one) that He would strengthen them, according to the riches of His glory, with His power and through His Spirit so that it reaches our inner-most being.
How? May Christ dwell in your hearts as you are rooted and grounded in His love that is wider and longer and higher and deeper than we can comprehend. And be filled more and more with the fullness of God; which, in us, is the increase of His character and decrease of our flesh.
While vv 20-21 are used frequently as a benediction, the words ring with truth and poetic beauty. "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, Amen." Amen.
How does this affect my worship?
Going back to verse 12, the key to a true encounter with God in worship is access. Without access to His throne and His ear, we are simply offering up wishes; hoping He might hear us. But the Spirit of Christ is in us, and therefore we can cry out 'Abba, Father' and run to His arms. Our adoption into God's family is more than just a position, it's a relationship. And it is in this relationship that we can truly worship.
How does this affect my discipleship?
Preach, bring to light, make known, minister; these are all words that Paul uses to describe his ministry of the Gospel. As we walk, relationally and intentionally, with others in co-apprenticeship to Christ, all of these ministries come to bear. There are times of teaching and times of learning; times of shedding light and times of receiving light; times to give grace and to receive grace. But, as Christ modeled, this happens in the context of relationships. While Paul's ministry to me is this letter, his ministry to the people around him was his life.
To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus,
Ethan
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