Today’s reading is Ephesians 5:1-6:24.

Ephesians 6:12 scares me: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (ESV). That right there says the enemy is too much for me. How can finite, little me ever stand up to such powerful forces? Clearly, if my enemy were my next door neighbor, I could pump up at the gym a little bit and probably take him/her out. But my enemy is the devil and his spiritual forces. I’m sunk.

However, I don’t have to beat Satan. God already has. I don’t have to strengthen me and try to take on Satan. All I have to do is be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Did you catch that? Not in the strength of my might because I’m so spiritual. No, in the strength of His might. 

I can’t help but think of the psalmists. I encourage you to read the psalms with the thought in mind of  how they addressed God. Psalm 18:1-3 is a great example.

I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.

I don’t have to be strong in my might, I need to be strong in God’s might. I need to let God be my fortress, my rock, my stronghold. I simply need to rely on Him. How do I do that?

The text says, put on God’s armor. In other words, if I’m going to be strong in the might of the Lord, I need to put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. I need to prepare my feet by taking up the gospel of peace. I need faith as a shield to extinguish the darts of the devil. I need to don the helmet of salvation and carry the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. When I’m wearing this armor, I’m relying on God and His strength.

One question I automatically ask is where to get this equipment. Where is God’s armory? 

I know when we think of this list, we equate the Word with the sword of the Spirit. However, I cant’ help but notice the Word is integrally tied to each of these.

John 17:17 says, “Your word is truth.

II Timothy 3:16 says training in righteousness comes from God’s scripture.

Colossians 1:5 says the gospel is found in the word of truth.

Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ.

II Timothy 3:14-15 says scripture makes us wise unto salvation.

How do I put on God’s armor? Get into God’s word. That’s why what we are doing here is so important. Staying in the word is not the daily Christian homework assignment. It is the only way we’ll ever overcome the tempter. We can’t win this battle apart from God’s word. The issue is not can I read my Bible enough to be a good enough to go to heaven. The issue is life, strength, and armor are found in the Word, without which I can’t survive the battle.

Think of it this way. Can you imagine a soldier saying, “Do I really have to put on my body armor for today’s battle?” Of course not. Are they putting the armor on because it is their assignment in the military? Of course not. They do it because they know it will be the thing that preserves their life.

So, as always…

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Ephesians 3:1-4:32.

I think it is ironic that I’m reading this today. On Saturday, I am scheduled to preach at the First Street congregation in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Their series is about unity and comes from Ephesians 4:4-6. My topic is “The One Body.” If you are in the Middle Tennessee area, drop down to Lawrenceburg on Saturday at 6 PM and let’s get to know one another.

However, because of my prep for that lesson, the issues of unity really stood out to me while reading today. While Paul speaks of some broad aspects of the universal church, he applies those principles to the practical unity of the local church. Instead of looking at all the religious division “out there,” we should each look at how we are living within the local congregation. In Ephesians 4, Paul provides the keys to maintaining unity within the local congregation. If we will all follow these keys, then the local congregation will be internally united in Christ.

Key #1: The unity must be based in Christ and His word–Ephesians 4:15.

No matter what else we do, if the unity is not based on growing up into Christ, who is our head, then our unity is pointless. We may all be united, but if we are all united in going the wrong direction, it won’t help us. Colossians 3:16, part of a parallel passage, points out that we must let Christ’s word richly dwell within us. That is the basis and foundation for positive unity. Therefore, individually, we must make sure the Word of Christ is our standard. This way, as Ephesians 4:14 says, we will not be tossed about by every wind of doctrine.

Key #2: We must each work and provide what we can–Ephesians 4:16.

Sadly, for many, unity merely means getting along. For Paul, unity meant working together, growing together, progressing together. Unity does us no good if we are not going somewhere with it. This only happens when we are working, when each member is providing what he or she can. We can’t all do the same things. We don’t all have the same skill levels. However, we can all do something. To have positive, progressing unity, we must all be using our strengths to further the growth of the congregation.

Key #3: We must walk with humility–Ephesians 4:2.

I love one of the definitions Strong’s gives this term for humility. “A deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness.” Sadly, too many Christians are like the Pharisee in the Luke 18 story of the Pharisee and the tax collector. With that mindset, we are just pushing division. We push others away with our arrogance and pride. Many Christians don’t even realize how puffed up they are. They simply think they are being spiritual while others aren’t quite making it. We need to recognize our own moral littleness. As Paul, who called himself “the very least of all the saints” (Ephesians 3:8), we should view ourselves this way. In that way, we won’t separate ourselves from our brothers and sisters thinking we are better.

Key #4: We must walk in gentleness–Ephesians 4:2.

This meekness or gentleness is not weakness. It is not submitting to others because we have no ability to do otherwise. Rather, this is strength under control. This term was used of a tamed horse, who clearly had the power to throw off its rider and then trample him into the ground. However, the horse did not. The horse submitted to the direction of the rider. In the same way, instead of throwing off our brethren and trampling them in the ground, we submit to their needs. We humble ourselves before them and gently submit. As Philippians 2:3-4 advises, we must view others and their desires as more important. This is especially important when we need to correct others. We should do so with gentleness (Galatians 6:1) lest we too be tempted and fall. We do not correct them to put them in their place, to show our superiority, or to vent our wrath. We do so to help them because they are more important than we are. I know–this is tough for us.

Key #5: Walk with patience–Ephesians 4:2.

The term for patience here specifically means having great restraint when it comes to responding to being wronged. Wow! That’s tough. But, if we want to have congregational unity, we have to learn to deal properly with the wrongs others do. No, this doesn’t mean sweeping them under the rug. However, it does mean not blowing up and taking vengeance. If someone wrongs us, we go back to the last principle and approach them with gentleness. Our goal should not be to see them grovel. Our goal should be to help them grow. This is easier if we have the humility mentioned above, remembering the times we have wronged others and wished they were patient with us.

Key #6: Walk with forbearance–Ephesians 4:2.

We must learn to bear with one another. As I Corinthians 13:7, when we love others, we will bear and endure anything. This means to hold up, to strengthen and stand firm. As Galatians 6:2 says, we should bear one another’s burdens. We hold each other up. Sadly, too often we keep asking the question, “When should I leave the congregation?” Perhaps this is the wrong question. Paul seems to suggest our question should really be, “How can I stay and help lift up those who are struggling?” Who knows how much unity we might maintain if we worked from this standpoint thus leaving division only for the extreme cases when others simply won’t submit to God.

Key #7: Walk in love–Ephesians 4:2.

This encompasses all the other keys and then stretches them. This is the “agape” love we’ve heard about in so many sermons. We know what it means. It means unconditional love. In other words, we don’t walk in any of these things as long as someone else does. We strive to walk in them regardless. No matter how we have been treated, no matter what has been done to us or what can be done for us, no matter how others are walking, we walk in these principles.

Key #8: Walk in peace–Ephesians 4:3.

We must be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Peace must bind us together. While we can certainly talk about the Christians as peacemakers (cf. Matthew 5:9), in the context of Ephesians, this is not simply talking about peace in general with others. This is specifically talking about the relationship between the Jews and Gentiles in Ephesus (Ephesians 2:11-22). Jesus Christ is the peace between Jews and Gentiles. Through Jesus, each group had peace with God and therefore should have peace with one another. They should work together and love one another. They should follow all these principles with each other. The Jew/Gentile division is not as big a plague for us today. But what about the other divisions we have, namely race. It is a sad tragedy that churches often continue to be divided along racial barriers, black churches and white churches. We should be ashamed. I am ashamed. Rick Warrens purpose driven marketing to a set group within our culture aside, each congregation should be for all. We should not market to one group but learn how to meld the cultures together. Paul would have thought the idea of having two congregations in town, one marketing to Jews and one to Gentiles was anathema. How can we take up that banner cry as if it is going to be beneficial for the congregation. Oh, I have no doubt we might get more numbers. But we won’t have the unity God wants us to have. Walking in peace means learning how to work together with people from a different culture and background.

No doubt, divisions will come (I Corinthians 11:18-19). Clearly there will be people who will leave us because they are not of us (I John 2:19). No doubt, there will be times when we must discipline the impenitent, removing the leaven from among the congregation (I Corinthians 5:1-13). However, these ought to be the exceptions, not the rule. Further, we should live by the principle of Romans 12:18. As much as it depends on us, be at peace with all. Let us make sure we are living by these principles. When the divisions come, let them be in spite of us and not because. Let them be laid at the feet of others.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Ephesians 1:1-2:22.

In Ephesians 1, I am reminded that I often miss the actual purpose behind all of God’s work. Ephesians 1 lists many of the blessings God has given us in Christ: holiness, blamelessness, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, inheritance, knowledge of the mystery, etc. 

Why did God give us all these blessings? What was the goal for all of this? We have a tendency to stop short saying the goal of all this is our salvation. He did all this so we might be saved. That, however, is simply not true. Certainly, our salvation is something we receive from all God did. However, God’s goal is mentioned three times in this chapter.

“…he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”–Ephesians 1:5-6

“…so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.”–Ephesians 1:12

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”–Ephesians 1:14

Did you see the goal? The goal is not that we would be saved. The goal is that we would be to the praise of God’s glory. We must not miss this. The goal is not accomplished merely because we are forgiven. The goal is accomplished when through our forgiveness, redemption, and adoption God is glorified. 

We must not take this for granted. We must glorify God for our salvation. We must glorify God before others for our salvation. Our salvation should cause us to live in a way that glorifies God. 

How humbling. This is not about me. This is about God. My life should not be about me. It should be about God and the praise of His glory.

Let us always praise God and His glory.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?

courtesy JoEllen Gilbert

Far too often men love to jump on Ephesians 5:22-24. We love to talk about how our wives should submit to us. No doubt, there is a biblical principle here and I recognize God’s word says men are to be the heads of their homes. But, for the moment, I want us to recognize this follows Ephesians 5:21–”…submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” The teaching about husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and slaves is about how we each submit to each other in our varying relationships. There is a sense then in which husbands submit to their wives, parents to children and masters to slaves. No doubt, in each relationship there was/is a clear role of authority. However, each side has responsibilities and when we follow them, we are submitting to the partner in the relationship.

Notice the husband’s responsibility is not to be a tyrant. The husband’s responsibility is not to direct the wife in all that she must do. The husbands job is not to seek the glory and allow the wife to be his stepping stool. Rather, the husband’s job is to love his wife as Jesus loved the church. How did Jesus love the church? He left heaven, came to earth and then died here for the church. 

WOW! Men, what a mighty calling that is for us. Perhaps we will not literally have to die for our wives. However, we certainly won’t live up to that calling if we are not willing to live for our wives. Who among us could say we would die for our wives if we won’t give up our favorite TV show to talk to her? Who among us could say we would die for our wives if we won’t even sacrifice a minute to take out the trash for her when she asks (or maybe even without her asking) without a bunch of complaining. 

I admit it. I’m terrible at this. Usually, I’m a selfish bum. We must be better than that. We must live for our wives, sacrificing ourselves for her good. No, that doesn’t mean be a doormat for her every whim. We are the leaders in the home. What it means is just as Jesus leads us for our good, sacrificing Himself when that is what we needed, we must lead our homes for the good of our wives even if it means sacrificing ourselves. 

Husbands, let us learn what it means to submit to one another out of reverence for Jesus and realize this isn’t about reverence for us.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

I can’t read Ephesians 3-4 without being drawn to Ephesians 3:20-21:

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (ESV).

God can do what we ask or think. Not only that, He can do all that we ask or think. Not only that, He can do more than all that we ask or think. Not only that, He can do more abundantly than all we ask or think. Not only that, He can do far more abundantly than all we ask or think. This doesn’t say He will do anything we ask or think. It simply says He can. There is no request that challenges God. There is nothing that causes God to have a V8 moment, saying, “Whoa, I don’t know about that one, that’s tough.”

But did you also notice that this is through the power working in us? This is not something He does in spite of us. This is not something He does without us. This is something He does through us. If we are surrendering to Him, He can do amazing things through us. Surely the miracles of the apostles recorded in Scripture give us at least a picture that God can do amazing things through us when He wants. You and I may just be plain ol’ Jane and John Doe, but our God is not plain. He is powerful and He can do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think by the

 power at work within us.

What does this mean? It means we need to start thinking and asking. We need to get in God’s word and figure out what He wants and start asking for it. Start asking for Him to do it through us. But more than that, we need to think and ask big. I’m not saying trying to test God. I’m just saying let’s rely on God. Let’s have faith in the God who can do beyond what we are asking, so let’s ask Him do to even more.

What a great God we serve.

Keep the faith and keep reading.

ELC

I always have a little trouble when I get to Ephesians 2:1-3.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience–among whom we all once lied in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (ESV)

It reminds me of the trouble I also have when I get to Romans 3:10-18.

None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.
Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.
The venom of asps is under their lips.
Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.
Their feet are swift to shed blood;
in their paths are ruin and misery,
and the way of peace they have not known.
There is no fear of God before their eyes (ESV).

 The problem I have is, I hear these descriptions and think, “I just wasn’t that bad.” I mean, I have done some really bad things. But I am not a bad person. I’m actually a pretty good person over all. I have great intentions. I really do fear the Lord. I don’t want to deceive. I have dallied in the passions of the flesh on occasion, but I don’t think I was really following the prince of the power of the air or was by nature a child of wrath. 

What’s amazing about that is that I have even done some exercises where I have tried to honestly lay out my sins and how far they went and I realize I really have done some really, really bad things. But to say I was like these verses describes always makes me come up short.

Perhaps it is some kind of subconscious trick so I won’t see how much I really need to surrender to God. I don’t know. Anyway, I was reading this passage and it hit me. These passages are not saying I am a sinner because I am this bad. They are saying, I am this bad because I sin. No matter how bad my sins are on some kind of scale; no matter how I compare with other sinners (there will always be someone worse in my book); no matter what I have or haven’t done, this is how I look to God when I commit any sin. This is why I need a Savior. Even when I have committed what seems to be the most harmless of minor infractions, I have turned from God to submit to Satan and followed the course of my flesh just like everybody else has done. In that moment, I have not just become a person who made a social faux pas, I have become a rebel. 

What amazes me even more are the verses that follow in Ephesians 2:4-7:

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved–and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (ESV).

Despite how I looked to God because of my sin, He still sent Jesus to die for me so my sin could be removed and I could look holy, spotless, blameless and clean to God.

Thank you, God, for your love and mercy.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC