Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-9 (day six)
“be subject to one another in the fear of Christ”–v. 21. Submission is a lightning-rod issue in this age. People (all of us, not just women) resist the loss of autonomy and self-determination that it implies. Demanding our rights (and feeling entitled to do so) blinds us to the wisdom of this eg0-displacing step. Those who submit to Christ and are subsequently filled with His Spirit (rather than self–see v. 18) find freedom. NO PRISON is worse than self! “There is nothing so pathetic as a person determined to be crucified on the cross of personal grievance”–Abraham Lincoln. And, NO FREEDOM is sweeter than to serve God and others without competition or anxiety. When Paul speaks about family (wives submit to your husbands, husbands love your wives, children obey your parents) he assumes we already have some experience of this “more excellent way”. Ego is not my savior. It is, very often, a trouble causing tyrant.
Author: Don Guthrie
Don Guthrie is the Senior Pastor at FBCSA.
Children and fathers
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-9 (day one)
Statistics say that 1/3 of American children grow up in biological father-absent homes. Similar studies connect this reality to teen suicide, homelessness, and school drop outs. Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, exhibit empathy to others, and avoid high-risk behavior. Science! Scripture! “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”–Ephesians 6:4. Children need fathers, depend on them for an upbringing, literally, “to nourish them up and out, from one level of maturity to the next.” No disrespect meant to single moms. But, when a society ignores God’s laws regarding sex and marriage, our children pay the penalty. “Paternity is a career that comes to you one fine morning without any inquiry as to your fitness for it. That is why there are so many fathers who have children, but so few children who have fathers.”–Adlai Stevenson.
Letting go?
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 4:17-32, 5:1-20 (day seven)
“That in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self. . .and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self.” (4:22-24) The “Jesus revolution” may be a bit more demanding than popular theology suggests. “Let go and let God!” people are quick to tell us. Paul’s words indicate more effort/struggle/courage. Lay aside! Be renewed! Put on! Three verbs. All imperative. All commands. True, Paul will later tell us to “forget what is behind” (Philippians 3:13) That almost sounds like letting go. He will follow, however, with “REACH forward for what lies ahead” (same verse above) Your experience here? My own confirms that the new life takes root and bears fruit in the heart that is convicted to do what is necessary for the Lord’s moral will to be accomplished. Sounds like work! Sounds like grace! I’ll see you at church in a few hours!
Christians be like
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 4:17-32, 5:1-20 (day six)
“Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also love you.” (5:1-2) God. Christians are called to be LIKE Him. He loves, we love. He forgives, we forgive. He tells the truth, ditto us. Paul’s word for this ethical principle is “imitate”. The Greek word is mimetes (from which we get both mimic and mime). Sound impossible to be LIKE God? It is, if you mean God’s power or wisdom. We can never be like Him in these qualities. (Samuel Soape says that his Mother has “momniscience”, but I am not convinced). We are, however, called to be LIKE the Father in love, in sacrificial commitment to their good. What would life be like if we followed this “golden” rule? “As in heaven, so on earth”. “You be holy, because I am.” In what ways, today, could you shape your life after the character and kindness of God?
Overcoming the world
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 4:17-5:20 (day one)
“That in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and. . .that you put on a new self”—v 22-23.
It is an old story. Sad. Harry Truman use to say, “The only new thing in the world is the history you don’t know.” We may THINK that our sins are new/ unique to the 21st Century. Not so. When Jesus said ,“I have overcome the world”, He did not mean in a material or military sense. The savior conquered the world by purchasing a people for Himself with His own blood. These people are His “proof” that a new way of life is possible and desirable. By the Spirit, through faith, we become living proof of the Savior’s power and purpose. Sin is not new. It is OLD, and needs to be laid aside for NEW life in Christ.
Humility first
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 4:1-16 (day seven)
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love”–v 2.
When Paul talks about a life that is worthy of God’s calling, humility is the first virtue on his list. Is it first on ours? Do we see the insult that our pride is to God, the disruption it causes in our fellowship? Paul calls for humility–the willingness to take a low position, a thankless task. He speaks of gentleness–a broken spirit that does God’s will without protest or pouting. He names patience — “long suffering”, not quitting when a task or relationship gets difficult. He calls for us to bear with others–to give grace when people are flawed and selfish. He insists on love–“if I have not love, I am nothing” he will say in 1 Corinthians 13. Strange isn’t it? Most of us, apart from Paul’s help, would have a different priority. But, for people of the Spirit, humility is first.
Worthy to receive, worthy to give
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 4:1-16 (day six) God is worthy.
“Worthy to receive glory and honor and power”—Revelation 4:11.
The nature of God makes giving to Him a moral and reasonable activity. He deserves what we give Him. Time. Attention. Offerings. Praise. He is worthy to receive it! If He is worthy to receive, however, we must be (become) worthy to give. In Ephesians 4, Paul urges such preparation of heart. “I urge you, therefore, to live a life worthy of the calling you have received”—v 1. All of grace, but without the despair that none of us can now be what He desires or deserves, the Bible calls us to become servants of the Most High, reflecting in our own choices and character the wisdom and worth of the One who called us to Himself. God is worthy of having worthy people bringing worthy gifts. “Who can ascend into the hill of the Lord?. . .He that has clean hands and a pure heart.”—Psalm 24:3
Jesus Calling
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 4:1-16 (day one)
It is a popular devotional book. Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, is a collection of 1st person words from Christ to the believer. (At least the author’s idea.) It rests on a clear biblical conviction that the Lord calls/commands us and that hearing and obeying His voice is the key to life! “Today, if you hear my voice, do not harden your hearts”–Hebrews 4:7. “Now faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ”–Romans 10:17. After 3 chapters of intense and glorious doctrinal instruction, Paul turns to application. “What must I DO, Lord?” he urges us to ask, and his first application focus is for us to recognize the voice of Christ and respond to it with obedient faith. Verse 1 reads (literally), “I CALL you to walk in a manner worthy of the CALLING with which you have been CALLED.” Christian friend, do you hear His voice? His direction? As you do, will you obey?
Paul, praying
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 3 (day seven)
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father”–v 14. He was never better than when he prayed. Never stood taller than when he knelt. In v 1 of our Re: Verse reading, Paul described himself as a PRISONER. In v 8, he says he is a PREACHER. In v 14, he reveals his highest, best power. He is a PRAY ER. Boiled down to its essence, Paul’s prayer is for God and a few friends. V 16 is for the strength of the Spirit. V 17 is for the constant companionship of Christ. V 18 is for an understanding of God’s love that comes through a relationship with “all the Saints”. V 19 is for the fullness of God. Strange isn’t it? Paul asks for none of the things that we often do. He requests a full measure of God and full life of friendships. “Besides You, I desire nothing on earth.”–Psalm 73:25. Lord, teach us to pray like our brother did!
Undiscouraged
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 3 (day six)
“Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations.”–v 13. Surprising commandment. Typical Paul. “Do not lose heart!” Literally it reads, “do not let the bad get inside you.” Paul claims that every believer has the responsibility to guard his heart from depression, discouragement, hopelessness or negativity. When it happens, if it happens, it is always because necessary precautions were untaken, necessary disciplines unapplied. Jesus said something similar. “Let not your heart be troubled.”–John 14:1. Don’t LET it happen! David learned the same truth. “He strengthened himself in the Lord.”–1 Samuel 30:6. Courage is a gift from God. It is also something we find for ourselves. Did he go pray? Sing hymns? The text is not clear. It is clear, however, that David knew that the management of his own heart and outlook was high priority. Difficulty is inevitable. Discouragement, however, is a choice. “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.”–Psalm 56:3.