Ephesians 4:31-32

Good morning friends,

  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

 We have become a culture of entitlement and when things do not unfold as we expect we are moved to some form of self advocacy. We have trainings on such things as “power negotiations” or “how to be your own advocate.”  Granted some of this has come about due to abuses, but the unfortunate side to this is that we have only shortened the fuse people have towards each another. The irony of our “tolerant” culture is that we only have to read the daily news to see the manifestation of wrath or anger by some person or group. Due to the context we would have to say that “anger” here is not righteous anger, we looked at difference between righteous and unrighteousness anger back in vs 26-27. Anger is sin when we become self-defensive or resentful for what is done to oneself and that is what Paul is bringing before us here. The antithesis Paul holds out here is what the Christian is to be. Now the context indicates that these virtues are to be shown to one another who are in Christ, however, I do not believe we are to be bitter, angry, wrathful etc to those outside of Christ either. Paul’s list of superlatives, kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, are obviously not consistently a part of our being, but because we are in Christ is to be. Paul points to the example of this in Christ towards us. The point to this is: How can we continue on in bitterness, anger or malice in general when we have been forgiven so much? We are to exhibit these virtues unconditionally as Christ did towards us.

 Bill

 The Westminster Shorter Corner

Q. 54. What is required in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word and works.

Ephesians 4:30

Good morning friends,

  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

One of our biggest problems with sin is that it never really sinks in that it brings pain to God. When we sin, and come under conviction for that sin, we are quick to get to 1 John 1:9, and so we should. Let me ask this however, does the image of the Holy Spirit weeping over our sin cross our mind? Here is the full spectrum of “ grieve”: to distress; reflexively or passively to be sad: – cause grief, grieve, be in heaviness, (be) sorrow (-ful), be (make) sorry.  Do you see this image of the Holy Spirit when we sin? It is at this point that we must realize just how light we treat sin. I am guessing that if this image of the Holy Spirit was in our thinking then sinning would be a little more difficult on our part. Paul in effect asks us here: “how can you do something so displeasing to the one who has sealed us to the day of redemption?” David in Psalm 51 understood the depth of sin when he says: For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. We have here the promise that we will arrive at the day of redemption and we can rest in that, but at the same time we need to remember that God is not passively watching as we sin. When we sin we are inflicting pain on the one who loved us enough to pay the price that sin deserved.  That image of the Holy Spirit weeping as we run headlong into sin ought to distress us greatly. The picture of a heart sick Father weeping for a child who rebelliously has rejected his will is the picture we ought to carry with us when we are being carried away in temptation. Yes we do retain the comfort of 1 John 1:9, in that “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin.”  We are assured that God does want us to live such comfort, but we still need to realize our sin does grieve Him.

 Bill

 The Westminster Shorter Corner

Q. 54. What is required in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word and works.

Ephesians 4:28-29

Good morning friends,

 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.  Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

 Now if you are like me you immediately think well “this stuff does not apply to me.” While stealing seems pretty straight forward, there are more “acceptable” means in which stealing occurs. We do not need to look far to see what our culture might call honest “thieves.” Padding expense accounts, failing to report income to IRS, reporting hours not worked, not returning overpayment and the list goes on.  And while, like children, we might say something like “everybody does it,” it is nonetheless stealing. Straight forward, stealing is taking what is not rightfully ours. Not only are those who are “in Christ” not to steal, but they are to earn an honest income in order to share it with those in need. We know full well there is nothing evil about wealth – the thing that becomes evil is a non-compassionate use of wealth.  Now as far as the issue of “unwholesome” stuff in our speech I do not need to put together a list of “bad words.” Needless to say we know all the “potty” words we should avoid. In fact I think that instead of focusing on what is unwholesome, we ought to focus on that which we should  – that which is wholesome. I think Philippians 4:8 ought to be our rule in this: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Something I find myself prone to is sarcasm. It is my contention that sarcasm is far more unwholesome than any list of “potty” words we could devise. Sarcastic speech is more poisonous and destructive to the health of people than crude verbiage.  The cutting tongue is as improper, or more so, for the Christian than a string of foul words. Our words are to be wholesome – to build up. Our words are to give grace to those who hear and are according to the need of the moment. Our words are to be ones that are good for edification. Our words ought to encourage, instruct and even in the times we must correct it is for the reason of wholesomeness. We live in a unwholesome speaking culture and it is all to easy to find ourselves following suit. Let us find ways express that which is wholesome.

 Bill

 The Westminster Shorter Corner

Q. 53. Which is the third commandment?
A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Ephesians 4:26-27

Good morning friends,

 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

 We must remember these verses are connected to the context of the passage so they do not stand alone, nor can they be used as an excuse for our personal hissy fits. When Paul speaks of “anger” he is not speaking of being pushed to the boiling point or seething, but more in the line of a deep seated conviction which is connected to the things of Christ, His church and righteousness. Christ of course displayed a righteous anger at the hard heartedness of the Pharisees as we see in Mark 3:5 or Mark 21:12 and John 2:15. What angered Jesus consistently was injustice – not against himself, but in the world. We see here a rightful and sinful expression of anger. Anger is sin when we become self-defensive or resentful for what is done to oneself. The point of difference is that righteous anger is based in love for God and others, whereas wrongful anger has reason in our self. We see here that even righteous anger can end up being an opportunity for the devil. We all have seen “righteous” anger being pushed to the point of violating God’s law. And while we may have a rightful point of anger, we must never have a vengeful attitude as we see in Romans 12:17-21 “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  We must keep God’s will always in view to insure that we respond to injustice as God desires.

 Bill

 The Westminster Shorter Corner

Q. 53. Which is the third commandment?
A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Ephesians 4:25

Good morning friends,

    Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

 We know that Paul stuck the “therefore” there to connect us the preceding verse. Our new “self” is being created in the likeness of God, in His righteousness and holiness, and because of that we are to put away “falsehood.” By way of implication Paul is telling us that “falsehood” is the complete antithesis of righteousness and holiness. It is needless for me to remind you of the reality that falsehood has a broader range of meaning than mere straight forward lies. Falsehood includes exaggeration, betraying confidence, cheating and looking for loopholes to name a few.  The Serpents lie (composed of half truth and half lie) introduced Eve to deception and any falsehood is equally deceptive. Now this does not mean that we are to be brutally honest (honesty for the sake of damage – which come to think of it may be a form of falsehood as well), but to deal with integrity in all things. To speak the truth does not mean that we have to speak everything we know, there are proper instances for “secrets” and confidences. The importance of truth telling to God is not hidden, in fact he speaks his mind on this throughout the Scriptures. Something that comes to mind as well is the importance this underscores about the handling God’s word with integrity and in truth. Now I am sure that Romans 1 comes to mind where Paul writes; “they suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”Statements like, “I don’t know what the Bible says, but I feel,” coming out of a Christians mouth, though maybe “innocent” is akin to obscuring the truth. While it is true that the context would define “neighbor” as our fellow Christians and while we most definitely must deal with our brothers and sisters with integrity because we are organically connected – we are members of the same body, we cannot limit our truth telling to them alone. We are to deal with integrity in all areas of life. So for the Christian to continue on speaking falsehood is to go against the reality of what he is in Christ and the righteousness and holiness we are being restored in us.

 Bill

The Westminster Shorter Corner

Q. 53. Which is the third commandment?
A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Ephesians 4:21-24

Good morning friends,

 Ephesians 4:21-24

 But that is not the way you learned Christ!– assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

 Our salvation and continued growth is based on nothing less than the content of Christ. When Paul says here “having heard about Him” he is not making a statement of a passive nature. Paul is not just saying heard about Jesus, but to have heard Him. This is not a reference to some audible voice, but the inner voice of Christ through the Scriptures. Hence we should never expect to “hear his voice” if we are ignorant of His word. Many tell people to just “believe on Jesus” without any connection to the content of whom and what Jesus is. Jesus never asks anyone to merely believe without some cogent reason to believe. To use His name in such a manner becomes mere God words, or worse, some form of Christian incantation. To be taught in Christ is in reference to our vital union or fellowship with Christ. It is in Him that we gain the truth which is embodied in Christ, it is because we are in Him and the truth is in Him. Being in Him, therefore we are to put off our old self. We must not see this as a reference to human works, but as the flip side of the coin of God’s act of salvation. Paul is referring to repentance and obedience that comes as the result of regeneration. The gospel invites us to lay aside our old self, turning from sin to God –but this is only based on the power of the finished work of Christ.  As opposed to the nature of man we read back in 18-19, we are now renewed and it is to go against our very nature to continue in the former life, this “putting on” of the new self is not so much an active process as one that is more on the lines of embracing what is. When we have come to Christ and laid aside our old self and we have turned to embrace that which we are – renewed. This new self is the restoration of God’s image on us it is the reality that we are being conformed to the likeness of Christ. Thought not fully complete until we are resurrected, none-the-less we are being restored in every way. Adam and Eve were created as holy and righteous beings and that is what is being restored in us. John MacArthur notes: “When a person becomes a Christian, God initially renews his mind, giving it a completely new spiritual and moral capability- a capability that the most brilliant and educated mind apart from Christ can never achieve.”

 Soli Deo gloria

Bill

 The Westminster Shorter Corner

Q. 53. Which is the third commandment?
A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Ephesians 4:18-19

Good morning friends,

 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!–

 Paul continues on with the way the “Gentiles walk” which we are to avoid because of who we are in Christ. Though the image of God remains on each individual the fall has marred or damaged it. We see here and in other passages (Romans1:18-32 and 1 Corinthians 3:20) that one portion of that image, man’s intellect, was damaged – his understanding was darkened or became obscure.  Though the non-Christian may exhibit some appreciation for truth because of God’s common grace, he remains in a constant state of living inconsistent to that truth. Because of his ignorance remains separated from life in God. It is man’s instance on being autonomous, his hardness of heart that keeps him alienated from God. He develops callousness, past feeling, to the revealed truth In order to protect himself from the constant rub of holiness. Man buries himself in sensuality and greed in effort to escape the pressures of truth. The reality of this is quite evident in our decedent culture where non-compassionate use of wealth and rampant immorality are commonly confused with virtues. Paul, however, now contrasts the believers learning of Christ to this mess. “but that is not the way you learned Christ.” This is to say you are not to have any part in such things. To “learn of Christ” I believe means the same as saying “salvation.” We are saved out of this horrendous system into life in Christ. We might think of James 4:4 here when he says “friendship with the world is hostility toward God.” Or maybe 1 John 2:4 and 15 comes to mind when John writes: “The one who says, I have come to know Him and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”  While I fully agree with many that Christians must not to separate themselves and become a corner culture, and that Christ has left us in the world to have an impact, it has also been said that the Evangelical church of this generation has become “worldly” in its uncritical acceptance of much of what the culture holds out. Thomas Oden has noted: “We have blithely assumed that in theology – just as in corn poppers, electric toothbrushes, and automobile exhaust systems – new is good, newer is better and newest is best.” We are to be a different people, a counter culture – dare I say revolutionary – amidst a perverse culture. As Kierkegaard wrote: “the truth consists not of knowing the truth but in being the truth.”

 Bill

 The Westminster Shorter Corner

Q. 53. Which is the third commandment?
A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Ephesians 4:17

Good morning friends

  Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.

 Because of our high calling in Christ, and because we are “fit together” as an organic body, we are no longer to “walk as the Gentiles.” Paul uses the word ethnos, translated here Gentiles, in a general sense as referring to all those outside of Christ. To “walk as the Gentiles” is to walk in any manner that is in antithesis to that of Christ. While there are things that are specific in the bounds of Scripture, there are things that we must draw out by principle.  Many of the practices that are “Gentile” in nature are making their way into the church. We are to be a distinct “people” from the rest of the world. While we find it easy to identify in the Scriptures that which we are to stay away from, it becomes much more difficult to identify those things in our own culture.  Each culture develops their own idols and while the list for our own time might be large, it would do us well to include such things as image, prestige, independence, tolerance and affluence.  Viewed as cherished virtues in our culture, these have been accepted uncritically into the church as well. Schaeffer noted: “If we are to resist being dirtied by the spirit of the world, we must not only reject its essential characteristic, but also search out and resist the special form it is taking in our own generation.”  Many times the church tries too hard to look like the world so we are not offensive – or worse – we try to be attractive to the world. These things are what Paul would say are “walking after the Gentiles” which ultimately leads to“futility of mind.” Futility here is also translated vanity is some other translations. It is the vanity Solomon spoke of in Ecclesiastes when after experiencing everything the world had to offer (wealth, sex, any pleasure imaginable) understood it was all emptiness. To start from our own thinking is this futility of mind. We are to renew our thinking as we are told in Romans 12, this is to start with God, to understand His will and where we belong in that.

 Bill

 Have a blessed Lord’s Day

 The Westminster Shorter Corner

Q. 52. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, his propriety in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship.

 

Ephesians 4:16

Good morning friends,

from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

We continue to see Paul’s focus on the whole of the body which needless-to-say goes against our individualistic cultural sub-conscience. We must understand that the health of the church, its proper functioning, is not in our leaders, church structure, or programs. The health, the direction, the authority of the church is our connection to Christ.  Now Paul wants us to view the church as an organic body, but try as we might, we have a difficult time moving past the corporation model. We see the pastor as the CEO and the elders and deacons as various levels of middle management. The unfortunate side effect of such a paradigm is that leadership often views people not as vital parts of the body that contribute, but as something that needs managing. Another side-effect has been that we also view the gospel as a commodity to be marketed to the buying public. The tragic result of this has led to a growing stress for a marketable pastor and program. Paul, however, wants us to see the importance of the individual and how we fit together as a living organism.  Paul wants us to see each member as a close and vital member of the whole. John MacArthur notes: “Where His people have close relationships of genuine spiritual ministry, God works; and where they are not intimate with each other and faithful with their gifts, He cannot work. He does not look for creativity, ingenuity, or cleverness but for willing and loving obedience.” The growth of the body is the natural process of this organic view. The word for “growth” here is used of the natural process of living organisms. As the body functions as God intended the natural extension will be love.

 Bill

 The Westminster Shorter Corner

Q. 52. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, his propriety in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship.

Ephesians 4:15

Good morning friends,

 Ephesians 4:15

 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

 Now there are many that like to speak the truth (better known as being brutally honest), and there are many that like to speak in love (better known as being wishy washy), but the speaking the truth in love is an anomaly. The word translated “speak” means much more than mere verbalization. it means speak, deal, or act truthful. Some have translated it “truthing it” – being truthful in the widest sense. So as we consider God’s intention for the church in the context Paul has been speaking we must see that this “truth” is in reference to the preaching of the gospel. God’s design for the church is the antithesis of being tossed to and fro, it is to be stable. As Paul has already been telling us, this stability is in the complete message of Christ. However, as we now see not only is the complete content of Christ important, but there must be direct correlation between our message and practice. The gifts God has given to the church are not to be self-serving or self-edifying, but are given to build up and expand the body. For some right doctrine becomes nothing but a seedbed of pride, for some love is nothing more than mushy sentimentalism, but for the mature Christian there is the wisdom and humility to present the message in love. This “truthing it” on the part of the mature Christian then points to the finished work of Christ by the whole of his life. “In every way” speaks of a comprehensive Christlikeness. The skeptical German poet wrote “You show me your redeemed life and I might be inclined to believe in your redeemer.” Truth in our culture is eclipsed with relativism which has had influence even on the church. Let us strive to once again be known as those who are “truthing it.”

 Bill

  The Westminster Shorter Corner

Q. 52. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, his propriety in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship.