Friday, December 28, 2012

Ephesians 5 - Imitators of God

If I'm not careful Ephesians 5 can very easily turn into a burdensome list of rules.  Avoid sexual immorality (every hint of it), impurity and greed.  There should be no obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking since these things are "out of place".  I am reminded that it's shameful to even mention what the disobedient do in secret.  I must not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  This is quite a list, and I've failed in every one of these at least a few times in my life.

Fortunately, there's a 'good news' flip side to this chapter.  First, Paul presents positive alternatives to all the 'bad stuff' mentioned above.  We can imitate God, living as children of light (which shows itself in goodness, righteousness and truth).  We can live wisely, making music in our hearts to God, always giving thanks to God and submitting to others out of reverence for Christ.  Perhaps most of all, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit.  This 'good' way of living really is possible because of the reality that the Spirit dwells in those who are in Christ.  We become members of God's family, His children even.  And that's the part that ties all this together, as Paul reminds us in verse 1 that we are to imitate God not because He'll be mad at us if we don't.  But rather because we are "dearly loved children".

Learning to live a wise, good, righteous, Spirit-filled life is a life-long journey.  I won't do it perfectly.  And when I fail, it's so good to remember that I am a dearly loved child of the King.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Ephesians 4 - A Life Worthy of the Calling

While Paul clearly teaches that our outward behavior can never earn our right standing with God, he also clearly teaches that our faith in Christ should result in behavioral change.  Ephesians 4 is a great example.  We are to "live a life worthy of the calling" we have received so that "we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is Christ."

Earlier in Ephesians (ch. 3), we learn that it is God's power that enables us to live these worthy type of lives, not our power.  Important to keep that in mind.  But what do these worthy lives look like?

Be completely humble and gentle
Be patient with one another
Unity within the Body of Christ
Put off falsehood and speak truthfully
Control anger and seek reconciliation
No more stealing
Work hard to provide for one's needs
Share with the needy
Use edifying speech only
Get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander and malice
Be kind, compassionate and forgiving

Quite a list, isn't it?  Lord, help us live this way.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Ephesians 3 - Immeasurably More

Starting at the end - God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (v. 20).  As Han Solo said, "I don't know, I can imagine a lot".  And yet we know that God is infinite and perfect in His goodness, wisdom and power.  In Christ, He has made us all heirs of His Kingdom, Jews and Gentiles alike (v. 6).

His eternal purpose was to provide fallen, sinful human beings access to Himself, and this was accomplished in Christ (v. 11-12).  We are recipients, both now and into eternity of His riches, which are both "unsearchable" and "glorious" (v. 8 and 16).  As Paul wrote, "to Him be the glory, throughout all generations, for ever and ever!" (v. 21)

Friday, December 7, 2012

Ephesians 2 - The Gospel in a Nutshell

What we were:  Dead in transgressions and sins, objects of wrath, disobedient, separate from Christ, excluded in citizenship in Israel, without hope and without God in the world (bad news)

What we are: Alive with Christ, seated with Him in the heavenly realms, brought near to God, God's workmanship created in Christ to do good works prepared for us in advance, people with access to the Father and Holy Spirit (good news)

How we got there: the incomparable riches of God's grace, His kindness, the blood of Christ

What we have done to deserve this:  Nothing

What we can do to continue to deserve this:  Nothing

God really loves me that much?:  Yes

How am I to respond?:  see Ephesians, chapters 3-6, among others