Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 1:1-19 (day one)
“I shall remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; for a wide door of effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries”-–1 Corinthians 16:9. “Timothy. . .as I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus, in order that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines”–1 Timothy 1:3. The first book of Ephesians, Paul writes TO them. The second book of Ephesians (aka 1 Timothy) Paul writes ABOUT them, about the difficulties that will face their new young pastor. Ephesus was never an easy place to build a church. From the very start (no honeymoon) Timothy faced false teachers and the vocal, hostile opposition. Paul will later call ministry (there, and in general), “a fight”. (v 18) As you read these words this week, reflect on the difficulties that we face as we unite to build a New Testament church in the center of this city. Easy? No! Noble? Necessary? Yes!
Category: Instructions to the Church
Submission, Spirit
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-9 (day seven)
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”-v 21. Submission is a Spiritual ethic. Impossible without Him. It is one (and only one) of the indicators of Spirit-filled life that Paul lists in Ephesians 5:18-21. Speaking to one another with songs. . .giving thanks for all things. . .being subject to one another–these are the outward proofs that the Spirit of God has entered and filled your heart. Does your life evidence these things? They do not come by force of will or application of effort! Only the Spirit can produce such outcomes. “The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God; for it does not subject (same word) itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so.”–Romans 8:6-7. Those who ignore the basic step of being filled with the Spirit will find submission to be undesirable and impossible.
Spirit-filled, ego-freed
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.
Don’t Miss the Gospel
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-9 (day five)
It is easy for me to read these words and let my thoughts race towards expected behaviors and attitudes spelled out for husbands and wives in this passage. “This will be Hard for me to do!” “Will this really make me Happy?” Seems that this puts “me” as the focus of the text. Not a hopeful perspective.
But, if I see the Mission and Work of Jesus in this text, then something amazing happens. I am thankful and humble because of His title- Savior (v23). I am reminded of His Great Love and Sacrifice (v25). I am aware that His intention was to make people (made dirty, ugly, and depraved by sin) beautiful, clean, and Holy (v26). I see His great eternal hope for humanity (v27). I then, am filled with the same optimism and eagerness in my marriage and relationships with others. I have a completely changed perspective “Filled with the Hope of the Gospel”.
Leave, and Cleave
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-9 (day four)
In Genesis 2:24, it says “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” Sounds like God is talking about the marriage relationship, doesn’t it? He is actually talking about Christ and the Church. The role of Christ in the Church is a great mystery. During the time of the old covenant, God’s people knew nothing of the church…they knew nothing of the relationship of love, respect, protection, and leadership between Christ and the Church. With the new covenant, God revealed His plan for the Church and for drawing all men to Him. Everything changed. Not only did the Church change, but so did marriages. We began to see how the relationship should look like. Husbands should love their wives as they loved themselves and wives should respect their husbands. From the beginning, God has had a plan. Are we honoring God with our marriage?
Hear
Re: Verse reading—Ephesians 5:21-6:9 (day three)
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.”
“Household codes” were a common feature of ancient writings on society. Paul simply re-frames the code in a Christian context, grounding it in Christ’s person. So he wasn’t writing provocatively. Any controversy comes from the ink spilled and breath spent attempting to excuse Paul, or to re-interpret him for modern ears, or to save him from himself, or to give up on him altogether. But in our rush to defend our hard-won enlightenment, we fail to do what is necessary: Sit quietly and listen to the word of God as penned by Paul. The harshness of the words as they fall on our ears has more to do with our resistance to the shaping power of the Bible than it does with any sophistication we think we have gained by living in these times.
Fitness?
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-9 (day two)
“After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-for we are members of his body.” (vs. 29-30) We don’t take care of ourselves as we should. This isn’t a new profound thought, but a pretty obvious observation. There is a large industry for fitness that many have bought into, but for the most part we tend to be overweight and out of shape. Do you find any correlation to the family here? Paul asserts that no one hates their own body, but our lifestyles would certainly put that to the test. And if we aren’t willing to spend time taking care of ourselves why would we invest time on others? This can be remedied both by physical conditioning and spiritual discipline. Take care of God’s Temple (your body) and take care of each other.
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?