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?
Thank You? Thank You!
Re:Verse reading–Ephesians 4:17-5:20 (day five)
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father
Giving Thanks for all things is an indication of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can help a person understand at a deep invisible level that at the center of both triumphs and tragedies is a loving God who acts and works for the Glory of His Name and the Good of His People. The songs, prayers, and declarations are dramatically different in each circumstance, but all will reflect the work of the Holy spirit- an attitude of thanks, trust, and hope. John Piper says, “giving thanks for all things is an outrageous idea unless you have a deep, Biblical theology of God’s sovereign goodness.” Our hearts can cry out “Thanks” at some level each day even if it’s with a question mark (amidst burdens and questions) or exclamation point (when we clearly see God’s visible work and provision).
New Self
Re:Verse reading–Ephesians 4:17-5:20 (day four) Who is it that Paul is writing to? Gentiles. Or, more accurately, saved Gentiles. He is telling the church in Ephesus not to walk as they used to walk…in the futility of their mind. And why were their minds futile? Because of the hardness of their heart. It was their heart that directed their minds. Darkness…callousness… ignorance…all of this was changed by the light of the Holy Spirit who came to dwell in their heart. They were to now walk in a new life…they were changed by the presence and relationship with Christ. Life was new and Paul admonished them to let their actions reflect their changed heart. There was a reason why the Gentiles were rejected by God and Paul is teaching them to put aside any sibilance of those lifestyles so they could avoid the wrath of God. Does your life reflect any of the unfruitful deeds of darkness? All things become visible when they are exposed to light. Allow the light of Christ to shine through you.
Wake
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 4:17-5:20 (day three)
“Wake up, sleeper.” Sleep is good for a body. But we also use sleep and dreaming as a metaphor for a state of unpreparedness or oblivion: “asleep at the wheel”; “snooze you lose”; “pipe dreams”. We can’t carry the weight of the world, so we try to sleep it off. We can’t accomplish our deepest longings, so we just dream about them. We cannot know what is real, what is true, what is a treasure, what matters, what lasts, what lives, until we wake up. And we will not wake up until we pay attention to Jesus Christ as the one and only person who can teach us how to live his kind of life.
With a Song
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 4:17-5:20 (day two)
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything” v 5:19-20a.
It may not be hard for you to believe, but this has been one of my favorite passages of scripture for many years. I remember finding it when I was in college and thinking, YES! Permission to live life as a Broadway Musical! What I love even better about these words is that it isn’t speaking to professional musicians, it is speaking to everyone. Think of how you feel when a favorite song is played, or what is like when you hear the introduction to your favorite hymn. It is exhilarating, isn’t it? It literally lifts your spirit. Imagine if we greeted one another with that same spirit. If our discourse was flavored with the kind of joy that we feel when listening to great music think how pleasant it would be.
This is why we sing to start our services. We sing to bring people in, to become connected with each other. Don’t stop there. Sing in Sunday School, remember when we used to do that? Sing at home! Sing in the car, a few rounds of Row, row, row your boat work on our 2 year-old without fail. Try it, be earnest about it, this scripture won’t disappoint you.
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.