2002-01-01
Good Morning Dear Ones,
The faith that we share is a precious jewel in our lives. Anyone that has delved into the enormous catalogue of blessings that our loving Abba gives us would know that. The need for every Christian to battle the adversary and his followers is a reality, but as I've often said, we don't go into that battle unarmed or slated for defeat if we persist. Today, I am led to continue writing about the section of Ephesians which deals with how to use those blessings that were outlined in the first three chapters and in the section of this book, EPH 6: 10-20, which deals with God's full armor. We will continue examining EPH 4 with verses 17-32. This passage discusses the new life in Christ.
EPH 4: 17-19 contains a warning seen in a number of other places in the Scriptures. "Do not continue to live like the heathen, whose thoughts are worthless and whose minds are in the dark. They have no part in the life that God gives, for they are completely ignorant and stubborn. They have lost all feeling of shame; they give themselves over to vice and do all sorts of indecent things without restraint." Immediately, some cross references come to mind that help explain what happens to these people. Without citing it in detail, we can recall RO 1: 18-32 which shows the mechanism of how Satan steals the mind of a person who rejects God. Another verse that really helps us have a better understanding of this is 1 COR 2: 14, "Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them; they are nonsense to him, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis." What is missing in these people are the understanding and discernment that comes from being able to reach toward God's perspective on their thoughts, perception, and behavior. Look at the contrast that 1 COR 2: 15-16 reveals about the person who does have the Spirit. "Whoever has the Spirit, however, is able to judge the value of everything, but no one is able to judge him. As the Scripture [IS 40: 13] says, 'Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is able to give Him advice?' We, however, have the mind of Christ."
EPH 4: 20-24 tells us to "get rid of your old self" to put on the new self. The old self was being destroyed by deceitful desires. EPH 4: 23-24, "Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created on God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy." It's good to understand what Christ actually means when He spoke to Nicodemus in JN 3: 3 & 5 when He said, "no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again."
EPH 4: 25-32 outline several behaviors that the person living "in Christ" must avoid: lying, holding grudges, theft, laziness, not helping the poor, using harmful words, making God's Spirit sad, bitterness, passion, shouting, speaking insults, hatred, etc. These are the things that lead to a lifestyle of sin, which means separation from God. Pastor Bruce Wilkinson in his little book, "Secrets of the Vine," tells the story of a woman who came to him saying that she didn't understand why she isn't producing any of the fruits of the Spirit in her life. Those are the things that are outlined in GA 5: 22-23, "But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these." Pastor Bruce didn't know right away what to say to her, so he asked her to give them both time to pray about this and meet again. Three weeks later, Pastor Bruce asked the woman to tell him about her relationship with her mother. It was then that the woman revealed that she had been angry with her mother for a long time, and their communication was all but nonexistent. It was clear that this grudge was what was keeping her from producing fruit in her life. Later, the women affected a reconciliation with her mother, who was quite surprised at this. Forgiveness was cleansing for both of these women. Afterward, this lady was very productive both in her relationships and her service to God. We are reminded when we hear such stories to examine our own lives to see if there is anything in them that keeps us from being good servants and friends of God.
EPH 4: 30 & 32 are verses which contain wonderful advice for all of us. "And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free...be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ." I am led to end this message with PS 145: 9, "The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are all over His works." Now, that, Dear Ones, is the example we should all want to follow in our lives.
PRAYER: O Lord, You inspired Paul to say in 2 COR 5: 17, "When anyone is joined to Christ, he is a new creation; the old one is gone, the new one has come." It isn't enough that You said that, You also show us exactly how that "new creation" is brought forth in our lives. When we take the time to examine Your word, we are never left wondering how to become what You want us to be. You know that we must face, the challenges to our faith that come from the enemy. You allow us to face this battle, because You have equipped us to become stronger in our faith and more obedient to You as we deal with this spiritual warfare. There is no ego trip in it for You, only profound compassion and love for those who are willing to obey Your commands and show reverence for You. Your hope is that as many of us as possible will join You in eternity for abiding fellowship and never-ending joy. PS 68: 19 expresses one way that Your love for us is manifested. "What a glorious Lord! He Who daily bears our burdens also gives us our salvation." When we think about, Dearest Abba, we never go into battle against the adversary alone. You are right there with us, sharing whatever pain and suffering we must endure. The reward You make available for enduring in our faith is so much greater than the temporary pain and suffering we must bear now. We come to You to humbly confess our sins and to offer You our adoration, worship, loyalty, diligence, trust, obedience, glory, honor, praise, and utmost thanksgiving. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
Tomorrow, we will look at EPH 5: 1-20, which deals with living in the light. What a privilege our Lord gives us when He provides us with such a clear "road map" as the Scriptures are. He has not promised us that taking the narrow gate which is arrived at by the hard path will be easy. But, the effort we put in to responding as He directs is so worth it. This is the path that God has set out for us by the death of His only Son on the cross, the path that leads to eternal joy and makes us joint-heirs to His Kingdom with Christ Jesus. God loves you and so do Peter and I.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn