2017-09-01
Good Morning Dear Ones,
I have been led by the Holy Spirit to discuss EPH 2: 11- 3: 12. In reading the NT, the terms “circumcised” and “uncircumsized” are used. Clearly, this refers to Jews and Gentiles respectively. We who believe in Christ are all one in Christ. This passage begins with a definition of circumcised as Jews, who by ritual practice circumcise males at the age of 8 days. This is meant to be an outward sign of their loyalty and belief in God. In more recent times, this rite is performed not only for spiritual reasons, but also for medical cleanliness in this country. Uncircumsized is a reference to Gentiles who had no involvement in the covenants of the OT, who were apart from Christ, not Jewish, and were often of foreign birth. These individuals nevertheless were obedient to Christ’s teaching [RO 2: 12-14]. They have been brought near Christ by His blood. Christ abolished the law that bound the Jews, with His death on the cross. This sacrifice destroyed the line between Jews and Gentiles, bringing them to oneness in Christ [EPH 2: 11-18]. All who believe are saved by grace through faith [EPH 2: 8-10]. We are unified and at peace in the Spirit [EPH 4: 3-5]. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as one hope when you are called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”
It’s important to understand the metaphor of a house being built found in EPH 2: 20-22. “We are being built upon the foundation by the apostles and prophets, the Cornerstone being Christ Jesus Himself. He is the One Who holds the whole building together and makes it grow into a sacred temple dedicated to the Lord. In union with Him you too are being built together with all the others into a place where God lives through His Spirit.”
EPH 3: 1-12 is on Paul’s work for the Gentiles. Just as Paul described himself in RO 1: 1, he further elaborates in EPH 3: 1 here, “I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles…” He urges the Gentiles to pray for his authentic God-given ministry to them. He speaks about God’s secret plan, which is now to be revealed and understood. It is through the Holy Spirit that this plan is to be known and understood. EPH 3: 6, “The secret is that by means of the Gospel the Gentiles have a part with the Jews in God’s blessings; they are the members of the same body and share in the promise that God made through Christ Jesus.” Paul tells the Gentiles that he has been chosen to reveal the infinite riches of Christ and how God’s plan is to be put into effect. EPH 3: 12, “In union with Christ and through our faith in Him, we have the boldness to go into God’s presence with all confidence.” We are all to be encouraged, because both Christ and Paul suffered for us.
As the recipient of a traditionally Jewish upbringing during the time when Jews and Gentiles were vigorously dissuaded from interacting, these revelations from Paul’s teaching came is quick a shock. It was Christ’s power to totally change my thinking! My father, who was doing what he could to establish my Jewish identity by forcing my regular attendance at shul (the Jewish temple to which we belonged), was genuinely upset when he found out I was “sneaking” to catechism with my Roman Catholic friend after school one day a week. A row ensued, which culminated with my stopping this practice right away. I had a lot to learn from Paul’s teaching in my future! Prejudice had been carefully taught. It always is.
PRAYER: O Lord, the ignorance and inexperience of youth can lead us into great misunderstandings and retard spiritual maturation. And yet, Your will is always done. You place people in Your sight and watch over them without them even knowing it. Your will is always in our best eternal interests, and we will eventually learn it in ways that amaze us. The very teaching of our youth is often rejected in Your will coming to pass. As we mature, the depth of our understanding increases. You lead us away from paths to trouble and bring us “through the narrow gate which leads to the hard path to eternal life” [MT 7: 13-14]. This process isn’t easy for us, and we must learn which messages we received in the past are lies and which are the truth. We are so blessed that You love us unconditionally, and that you take such good care of us. We are protected by following Your teaching, by learning to pray first, then act and to think first, then speak. Teach us not to be prejudice against those different from us [1 JN 2: 9-11]. So much pain and sorrow is averted this way. We appeal to You to continue interacting and taking leadership in our lives as believers in Your Son. We thank and praise You for all You are and all You do for us, in His holy/mighty name. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I’m commanded to write about COL 2, a chapter full of useful didactics for us all. In my life’s experience, I have had to learn about how prejudice and grudge-holding can bring about suffering. Children in school yards can be cruel. They look for whatever makes a person different and focus their teasing on it. I was a redhead with freckles, who underwent orthodontic treatment for 10 years. This meant braces on my teeth from ages 7 to 17. In upbringings like mine, there was intellectual competition at the dinner table and feelings of lack of self-worth from messages that were lies that came down in the family. Since I was the youngest member of our family, I had the least feelings of being important and the least power to persuade others. It took counseling and increasing emotional, intellectual, and spiritual maturity to rectify the situation. I had to emerge from an unhappy marriage and accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior before I could enjoy inner peace and self-confidence. It also took many years of education, including a long university education, to bring me out of my self-induced world of self-loathing. What faith in the Lord Jesus can do for us was nothing short of a miracle! I will be forever grateful. Our Lord is to be praised and thanked forever! Praise be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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