2002-01-01
Good Morning Faithful Ones,
In the course of the messages that I have been writing on spiritual warfare, it occurs to me that we need to pay particular attention to the messages that God gives us. Have you ever received the same message from a number of unrelated sources at the same time? That is happening to me right now. The message is not only to talk about spiritual warfare, but to make God's will and His way of equipping us for it plain and clear. Today, I'm am led to begin discussing the book of Ephesians, organizing its contents to give a clear presentation of its treasures. It has six chapters, and we have already taken a good look at EPH 6: 10-20, which reveals the full armor of God. However, it wasn't until I really studied the entire book in detail that I realized that it was divided in the first three chapters, which outline the blessings Christ gives us and the last three chapters, which tell us how to use these blessings. Ephesians is not the only book of the Scriptures which deals with spiritual warfare, but it is a great place to start.
After beginning with a greeting in EPH 1: 1-2, Paul speaks of the spiritual blessings in Christ in (3-24). God, through Paul, has conveyed His will that the church should be edified (built-up) and unified. Paul tells us that we are given every spiritual blessing of the heavenly world and that we were chosen before the Creation to live a life that is faultless and holy. He reminds us that through Christ, we were selected for adoption as God's children, and that through Him, we would find forgiveness for our sins. I have often spoken of a pre-Creation council at which the decision was made by God to send Christ to earth and enable Him to make atonement for us by His death on the cross [AC 2: 23; AC 4: 27-28; JN 1: 29-30; 1 COR 2: 7; COL 1: 15-20; 1 PET 1: 20-21]. EPH 1: 10, "This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head." While the idea of the plan itself may seem simple, mankind's sinful nature has greatly complicated it. However, God, being the Supreme and Sovereign Deity that He is, will indeed make it so. We are not only to trust in that, but we are also called to help Him make it possible. That is why He gave us the Gospel and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a God's way of guaranteeing that the promise of His plan will be kept.
EPH 1: 15-23 is a prayer that Paul offers. Paul's frequent prayers and those of the Savior Himself remind us that "we need to pray and pray often as the Spirit leads us," as we were told in EPH 6: 18. EPH 1: 17, which begins this prayer, is Paul asking the Father to reveal Himself to us, so that we will know Him. Paul goes on to pray that God will open our minds, so that we can see His light, know the hope to which He has called us, and realize how rich and wonderful are the blessings He gives to His people. It is also Paul's hope that we will know how very great is God's power, which is at work in us when we obey and endure in our faith in Him. This is the same power which God used to raise Christ from death to life and to seat Christ at His right hand in heaven [PS 110:1]. The OT reference here is meant to remind us that God's will and His might is consistent no matter what era in human history the verse cited takes place. In keeping with DN 7: 13-14, we see in EPH 1: 21 a restatement of the fact that God has given Christ the authority to rule "above all heavenly rulers, authorities, powers, and lords; He has a title superior to all titles of authority in this world and in the next." Just so that we can see where we fit into this construct, we are told in EPH 1: 22-23, "God put all things under Christ's feet and gave Him to the church as supreme Lord over all things. The church is Christ's body, the completion of Him Who Himself completes all things everywhere."
Those are powerful words and help us to realize that we are called to serve in a carefully organized and unified Body of Christ with Him at the head of it. While we have heard those words before, it is crucial that we consider how they apply to us as individuals and as members of congregations. There is no place for political wrangling, congregations pitting themselves against others, and putting human agendas as a priority over God's in His plan. These blessings given to us and prayers said for us help us to see what our priorities and attitudes need to be to fight effectively in spiritual warfare. It helps us to know where the Source of our instructions is, to have that Source as an integral part of our lives, and to have a clear idea of what our instructions are to carry out God's will. We can take great comfort in knowing that we are part of a plan conceived in righteous and dedicated to bringing every person who will listen to the message God sends us to eternal life with Him. We all know the alternative is unacceptable.
In answering the question, "exactly how to I as an individual fit into this plan?" we must examine our own lives, discover the talents He has given us, and use those talents to further God's plan. No one is born without some kind of talent. Even those who are mentally impaired can show the rest of us what being loving is all about. Those who are physically handicapped can demonstrate courage, setting an example for the rest of us of how God's will can shine through in the conduct of their lives. We need only look at the lives of some people with Down's Syndrome or of a person like Joni Tada Earickson to see this. All believers, whether Christian or Messianic Jewish, must face spiritual warfare. But, none of us has to do this feeling that we are not blessed by God or equipped to carry it out to victory in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER: O Lord, through the Holy Spirit, Whom you sent to us as a gift, You allow us to understand the message of EPH 1 and to have the ability to see where we as individuals fit into it. PS 18: 28-29 is Your message through David to remind us of the blessing having You in our lives is. "O Lord, you give me light; You dispel my darkness. You give me strength to attack my enemies and power to over their defenses." You remind us Who to trust in PS 20: 7, "Some trust in their war chariots and other in their horses, but we trust in the power of the Lord our God." You are our Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts, the Lord of all. When You gave us the Holy Spirit, You answered David's prayer in PS 25: 4-5, "Teach me Your ways, O Lord; make them known to me. Teach me to live according to Your truth, for You are my God, Who saves me. I always trust in You." Then, You inspired Paul to write the book of Ephesians, not only for these people, but for all of us. Dearest Father, guide us to an even better understanding through our examination of this book of both the blessings You give us and the way You want us to use those blessings in the conduct of our lives and the spiritual warfare You have called us to wage. You call us to lives of holiness and obedience to You. We accept this call and humbly place at Your altar our confession of sins, adoration, worship, loyalty, obedience, diligence, trust, glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
Tomorrow, we will go on, led by God, to examine the second chapter of Ephesians to see more of God's blessings. Just as the coalition soldiers went into battle with the Taliban and El Aqueda enemies believing in their cause, so we must face whatever spiritual warfare that befalls us with the same mind-set. We can do this knowing that we are on the side of righteousness led by a loving and compassionate Savior. Because God is supreme and sovereign, and He has given authority to rule to His Son. We can face the challenges of our lives knowing that with endurance of faith, trust, and obedience to Him, we will overcome them [1 COR 10: 13]. God's love is manifested by His bringing Christ into our lives and giving us the faith to place Christ in leadership in them. Peter and I send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn