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
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