Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer
Another poetic scripture describing wisdom and this time her opposing figure, folly (or if you read the Message, 'Madame Whore'!). Both wisdom and folly call out to those for whom life is confusing and has no sense. Both invite you to eat their food, but there is a striking difference between the consequences of which one you choose to be with. If you choose wisdom you can "leave your simple ways and ... live" but if you choose folly you find that in her house "the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead."
So we've established that wisdom is the way to go if you want to live. Luckily, we get some wisdom in this chapter which I think is very interesting. I thought I'd put in the whole section:
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
One thing that I've struggled with A LOT is that it's not my job to change people. Sure I may have fantastic ideas and have sound logic with a compelling argument, but if people don't want to hear it, they won't - no matter how loud you speak it. It's a waste of time to try and correct (even gently) someone who doesn't want to change. These mockers and wicked people have their truth channel turned way down low and their "only what I want to hear" reciever on full sensitivity. If you try and turn up the truth, they get uncomfortable and hence the invitation of insults and abuse and hate.
Fortunatelty, there are some wise people out there! Thank goodness! These people have found wisdom which begins "in the fear of the Lord" and understanding which comes from "the knowledge of the Holy Spirit". They know that constructive feedback should be well received. They understand the value of respecting other people's opinion when given honestly and in a civil way. These people want to learn and grow and understand that to be rebuked is not a bad thing, it is a loving correction, a fatherly disciplinary action from our God who is full of grace and mercy. To put it simply: no pain, no gain!
So my application is to think twice about biting someone's head off for mentioning my flaws. No one has the right to tell me everything that's wrong with me with the intention to hurt me, but I should still be listening as I know that God can speak through other people as well as directly to me, just in case it is one of those loving corrections. If not, brush it off! Also, I need to careful in what I say to others, otherwise it could completely backfire and make the situation worse as they put on their defensive tatics.
So I pray that today and everyday I can be humbled. That I acknowledge that I have given my life to God and that if He has something to say, I better listen instead of insult or abuse. Thank for your mercy. Amen.
[Read Proverbs 9: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%209&version=NIV]
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Proverbs 8
Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer
I love the poetry of today's reading. My mum is an English teacher so I'm often looking out for things like this. Here, wisdom is presented as the most valuable thing on earth. She is worth more than all the precious metals and rare gems. She's so much better than money or popularity or anything you place value in. "With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity." This wisdom character sounds like a pretty good one to be familiar with! She was even here before the world was created, God made her from the beginning. "The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old ... then I was constantly at his side". She says that insight is hers and by her kings rule and princes govern. I think that's pretty amazing.
So, short blog today. My application is to understand why wisdom is described like this. Obviously it's good for us, so I'd like to find out how my life and my relationship with God can be full of wisdom.
And I guess my prayer is to give me the opportunity to grow in wisdom. Amen!
Read Proverbs 8: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%208&version=NIV]
I love the poetry of today's reading. My mum is an English teacher so I'm often looking out for things like this. Here, wisdom is presented as the most valuable thing on earth. She is worth more than all the precious metals and rare gems. She's so much better than money or popularity or anything you place value in. "With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity." This wisdom character sounds like a pretty good one to be familiar with! She was even here before the world was created, God made her from the beginning. "The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old ... then I was constantly at his side". She says that insight is hers and by her kings rule and princes govern. I think that's pretty amazing.
So, short blog today. My application is to understand why wisdom is described like this. Obviously it's good for us, so I'd like to find out how my life and my relationship with God can be full of wisdom.
And I guess my prayer is to give me the opportunity to grow in wisdom. Amen!
Read Proverbs 8: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%208&version=NIV]
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Proverbs 7
Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer
This chapter of proverbs is quite straightforward. The writer (who I think is in fact Solomon) tells the reader to "say to wisdom, 'You are my sister,' and to insight, 'You are my relative'" so that they will not be led astray by a seductive and adulterous women. He describes a young man with no sense going to meet a woman. She says that she's prepared everything for them to make love all night. She kisses him boldly and, after reminding him that her husband is well out of the picture, promptly has the young man eating out of her hand.
How often do you see this in movies?
An attractive woman, dressed in expensive and sexy clothing, going out to catch a man and dominate him through sex. But is she really that attractive after all? How about a handsome man, with a slick suit on, luring women into bed with talk of how beautiful they are and how they'd be so good together. Is he actually handsome? Any movie/television programme that you watch in the evening will be riddled with sex outside of marriage, of people having affairs, of break-ups and flings and divorce and melt-downs. Yet somehow this is entices us and pulls us in. The scandal of these horrible and destructive things is glorified and we lap it up by watching our regular TV show.
I'm stuck on this one, so let me know what you think. Should we watch programmes that we know contain behaviours that are so obviously sin? That go against the bible? Where people are constantly being used and hurt, and barely any relationship in the limelight - fictional or in reality - is actually functioning and healthy? What about programmes or movies that glorify killing and violence? I can barely watch R16 horror or thriller movies, let alone R18 ones like Saw, without being so disturbed that I feel sick and have nightmares for ages afterward. But I'm not squeamish. I'm absolutely fine with getting my hands dirty dissecting animals at university or watching surgeries on TV. In fact, it takes quite a bit of yuckiness to gross me out. What is it,then, that disturbs me so much?
How about crime or police shows, where the story is so formulaic. One or two people die each episode but there's no real looking into how the relatives feel or how the community is affected. So much death and sadness and violence glossed over by jokes and witty dialogue. Is this acceptable? If not, what can be done about it? It's obvious that programmes like CSI and Castle bring in the money. Why would the producers/TV networks/actors stop just because some people disagree with their product? (Let me know what you think by commenting below.)
The application is simply to do what Solomon said. Even though he was talking specifically to young men about avoiding adultery, I still think that trying to be so familiar with wisdom and insight that you call them family is a good idea!
So my prayer is for God to give me wisdom and insight. I believe that He will guide me if I ask and listen. Lord, help me to choose wisely when it comes to what I let myself watch so I don't get sucked into the temptations that are displayed on my TV screen every night. Thank you for your great love. Amen.
[Read Proverbs 7: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%207&version=NIV]
This chapter of proverbs is quite straightforward. The writer (who I think is in fact Solomon) tells the reader to "say to wisdom, 'You are my sister,' and to insight, 'You are my relative'" so that they will not be led astray by a seductive and adulterous women. He describes a young man with no sense going to meet a woman. She says that she's prepared everything for them to make love all night. She kisses him boldly and, after reminding him that her husband is well out of the picture, promptly has the young man eating out of her hand.
How often do you see this in movies?
An attractive woman, dressed in expensive and sexy clothing, going out to catch a man and dominate him through sex. But is she really that attractive after all? How about a handsome man, with a slick suit on, luring women into bed with talk of how beautiful they are and how they'd be so good together. Is he actually handsome? Any movie/television programme that you watch in the evening will be riddled with sex outside of marriage, of people having affairs, of break-ups and flings and divorce and melt-downs. Yet somehow this is entices us and pulls us in. The scandal of these horrible and destructive things is glorified and we lap it up by watching our regular TV show.
I'm stuck on this one, so let me know what you think. Should we watch programmes that we know contain behaviours that are so obviously sin? That go against the bible? Where people are constantly being used and hurt, and barely any relationship in the limelight - fictional or in reality - is actually functioning and healthy? What about programmes or movies that glorify killing and violence? I can barely watch R16 horror or thriller movies, let alone R18 ones like Saw, without being so disturbed that I feel sick and have nightmares for ages afterward. But I'm not squeamish. I'm absolutely fine with getting my hands dirty dissecting animals at university or watching surgeries on TV. In fact, it takes quite a bit of yuckiness to gross me out. What is it,then, that disturbs me so much?
How about crime or police shows, where the story is so formulaic. One or two people die each episode but there's no real looking into how the relatives feel or how the community is affected. So much death and sadness and violence glossed over by jokes and witty dialogue. Is this acceptable? If not, what can be done about it? It's obvious that programmes like CSI and Castle bring in the money. Why would the producers/TV networks/actors stop just because some people disagree with their product? (Let me know what you think by commenting below.)
The application is simply to do what Solomon said. Even though he was talking specifically to young men about avoiding adultery, I still think that trying to be so familiar with wisdom and insight that you call them family is a good idea!
So my prayer is for God to give me wisdom and insight. I believe that He will guide me if I ask and listen. Lord, help me to choose wisely when it comes to what I let myself watch so I don't get sucked into the temptations that are displayed on my TV screen every night. Thank you for your great love. Amen.
[Read Proverbs 7: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%207&version=NIV]
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Ephesians 6
Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer
Paul continues to give instructions about how to treat one another, but then he goes onto to say something very interesting. He says to put on the full armour of God because "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This is the first mention in this book (that I've picked up) of protecting ourselves against evil that we can't see with our eyes. Our true battle is a spiritual one and therefore we must prepare and equip ourselves.
Luckily, Paul spells out exactly how to do this:
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Instead of getting myself scared of the dark, I can put on the armour of God and know that I am protected from attacks from the enemy. One thing that I've learned is that the more I strive for God, the more I notice little attacks trying to bring me down. The devil freaks out when he realises that you love God. He will try anything to get you away. He'll try and put little thoughts in your head of inferiority or worthlessness, he'll try to tell you that you sin too much that God can't possibly love you. Any weakness you have, he'll try get a foothold. But, remember James 4:7 "...resist the devil and he will flee"!
My application is to simply put on the armour of God every day. I'll wear the belt of truth so that my faith doesn't fall apart as it is founded in truth. I'll put on the breastplate of righteousness so that I can act according to God's will and not let sin overcome me. On my feet, I'll be prepared for anything and be at peace with it because I know from the gospel that it's worth it. I try my utmost to take up the shield of faith, believing through anything that God is with me and He loves me and He has good plans for me, despite the current circumstances. With the helmet of salvation protecting me - for I know that I'm saved and nothing can take that away - I will finally learn the word of God, which is the sword of the spirit to cut down the enemy and his lies.
Father, I ask that you protect me from the enemy. I want to grow in faith and peace, so that I can fully trust in You no matter what. I understand that I cannot be idle as the battle is on-going. So help me persevere for You. Amen.
[Read Ephesians 6: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206&version=NIV]
Paul continues to give instructions about how to treat one another, but then he goes onto to say something very interesting. He says to put on the full armour of God because "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This is the first mention in this book (that I've picked up) of protecting ourselves against evil that we can't see with our eyes. Our true battle is a spiritual one and therefore we must prepare and equip ourselves.
Luckily, Paul spells out exactly how to do this:
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Instead of getting myself scared of the dark, I can put on the armour of God and know that I am protected from attacks from the enemy. One thing that I've learned is that the more I strive for God, the more I notice little attacks trying to bring me down. The devil freaks out when he realises that you love God. He will try anything to get you away. He'll try and put little thoughts in your head of inferiority or worthlessness, he'll try to tell you that you sin too much that God can't possibly love you. Any weakness you have, he'll try get a foothold. But, remember James 4:7 "...resist the devil and he will flee"!
My application is to simply put on the armour of God every day. I'll wear the belt of truth so that my faith doesn't fall apart as it is founded in truth. I'll put on the breastplate of righteousness so that I can act according to God's will and not let sin overcome me. On my feet, I'll be prepared for anything and be at peace with it because I know from the gospel that it's worth it. I try my utmost to take up the shield of faith, believing through anything that God is with me and He loves me and He has good plans for me, despite the current circumstances. With the helmet of salvation protecting me - for I know that I'm saved and nothing can take that away - I will finally learn the word of God, which is the sword of the spirit to cut down the enemy and his lies.
Father, I ask that you protect me from the enemy. I want to grow in faith and peace, so that I can fully trust in You no matter what. I understand that I cannot be idle as the battle is on-going. So help me persevere for You. Amen.
[Read Ephesians 6: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206&version=NIV]
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Ephesians 5
Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer
Paul gives the Ephesians more instructions in this chapter that are very condemning and offensive at first glance. Not a good place to start really! As a rule of thumb, if I find myself getting angry or dismissive of a part of the bible I check myself and check the context. Is this resonating with a part of my life that I know I need to deal with? Or am I not understanding the background or the people to which these words were directed to?
I thought an analogy would do well here:
How would you feel if you heard me reciting "white is right, white is right".
Are you angry? Appalled? Offended? Disgusted? What do you assume about me? Do you automatically think that I would then go on to say "black is wrong?" Do you then dismiss me as quickly as you've judged me?
What if you then heard me say "blue is left, blue is left".
Does your perspective suddenly wrench away from what you first thought? How do you feel now? This new context must mean I'm not a racist. Are you embarrassed?
In fact, I use the phrase "white is right" to remember which side of my contact lens case I need to put my contacts in so I don't get them mixed up. One lid is white, one lid is blue. The words "blue" and "left" don't rhyme so I started using "white" and "right".
Paul gives the Ephesians more instructions in this chapter that are very condemning and offensive at first glance. Not a good place to start really! As a rule of thumb, if I find myself getting angry or dismissive of a part of the bible I check myself and check the context. Is this resonating with a part of my life that I know I need to deal with? Or am I not understanding the background or the people to which these words were directed to?
I thought an analogy would do well here:
How would you feel if you heard me reciting "white is right, white is right".
Are you angry? Appalled? Offended? Disgusted? What do you assume about me? Do you automatically think that I would then go on to say "black is wrong?" Do you then dismiss me as quickly as you've judged me?
What if you then heard me say "blue is left, blue is left".
Does your perspective suddenly wrench away from what you first thought? How do you feel now? This new context must mean I'm not a racist. Are you embarrassed?
In fact, I use the phrase "white is right" to remember which side of my contact lens case I need to put my contacts in so I don't get them mixed up. One lid is white, one lid is blue. The words "blue" and "left" don't rhyme so I started using "white" and "right".
*my contacts case doesn't have the helpful letters "L" and "R" on them.
So, context is important. Agreed? This chapter has some pretty challenging stuff that I haven't really got my head around yet in terms of application. The first section of the chapter is pretty straightforward: "Do what God does. [insert sinful thing] is what God doesn't do, so you shouldn't do it either. Live a life of love!"
But then it goes on to talk about wives submitting to their husbands (and don't forget he goes onto to talk about husbands loving their wives as Christ loves the church). Without getting our knickers in a twist, let's think about why Paul would have said something like this. This really is a brain drain for me. I have to think really hard about this kind of stuff. But my idea is that Paul wouldn't have said these kind of things to oppress any particular type of person, after all he did just spend ages telling the Ephesians that their identity was not birth place or gender. I often hear people say that Paul was a misogynist, and I have no idea either way. But I do know that a lot of what Paul says is calling people to a life of love, maturity and fulfillment, ultimately living for a relationship with Jesus.
So with that in mind, I will try and wrestle through this chapter to figure out what it truly means. I pray that God can give me insight and that I can find the truth. I ask for God to help me be open-minded and try to figure things out instead of dismissing them. I thank God that He gave me a brain to use and to make choices with and to learn with. Amen!
[Read Ephesians 5: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%205&version=NIV;MSG]
Monday, June 4, 2012
Ephesians 4
Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer
What strikes me about this chapter is the instructions Paul gives the Ephesians. After explaining in previous chapters that their identity is no longer found in their birth as Gentiles but found in Jesus, he calls them into futher maturity in Christ. If their identity really has changed then they need to do something about it. "So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking".
But look at the things he tells them to do. If you take a step back, take the instructions out of the context of the bible, out of the context of God, I think you'd agree that the world would be phenomenally better place if everyone tried to follow them. Paul tells them to "get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." It just blows my mind to think of how much peace would be in the world if everyone really did get rid of those things. Whether you have relationship with God or not, I'm sure you'd agree that a decent person should "... not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
You see, this is what I'm understanding about the bible. You have to read it to actually know what it says. What would an athiest say in response to the fact that Jesus told everyone to love everyone else unconditionally? Would they dismiss it just because Jesus said it? People often quote specific parts of the bible as rebuttal against a faith in God. But that doesn't make sense. How could the bible be used against the God that it so earnestly tries to document? I believe if people really wanted to look into the bible and actually find something, they would be surprised as to the complexity of each book. That if you really look, and understand the context, things don't contradict: they actually support and give background and colour and story. All the parts of the bible work together, not against each other.
So my application is to not judge a book by it's cover, literally. If I really want to understand where the intellectual basis of my faith is coming from then I need to study the bible and work out what it's really saying. Hopefully, by doing this I'll be more prepared to live a life according to the will of God and be able to help explain and pull apart the questions people have about the bible and about God. And I don't need to go to bible college to do this, though I'm sure it would be very useful!
My prayer today is for God to fill me with a desire to learn His word. I want to be so curious and get excited and passionate so I can find new things and learn them and apply them. Most of all I thank God that He has given us not only a book of instruction, but a book of encouragement and one that shows Jesus and all he did for us. Amen.
[Read Ephesians 4: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204&version=NIV]
What strikes me about this chapter is the instructions Paul gives the Ephesians. After explaining in previous chapters that their identity is no longer found in their birth as Gentiles but found in Jesus, he calls them into futher maturity in Christ. If their identity really has changed then they need to do something about it. "So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking".
But look at the things he tells them to do. If you take a step back, take the instructions out of the context of the bible, out of the context of God, I think you'd agree that the world would be phenomenally better place if everyone tried to follow them. Paul tells them to "get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." It just blows my mind to think of how much peace would be in the world if everyone really did get rid of those things. Whether you have relationship with God or not, I'm sure you'd agree that a decent person should "... not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
You see, this is what I'm understanding about the bible. You have to read it to actually know what it says. What would an athiest say in response to the fact that Jesus told everyone to love everyone else unconditionally? Would they dismiss it just because Jesus said it? People often quote specific parts of the bible as rebuttal against a faith in God. But that doesn't make sense. How could the bible be used against the God that it so earnestly tries to document? I believe if people really wanted to look into the bible and actually find something, they would be surprised as to the complexity of each book. That if you really look, and understand the context, things don't contradict: they actually support and give background and colour and story. All the parts of the bible work together, not against each other.
So my application is to not judge a book by it's cover, literally. If I really want to understand where the intellectual basis of my faith is coming from then I need to study the bible and work out what it's really saying. Hopefully, by doing this I'll be more prepared to live a life according to the will of God and be able to help explain and pull apart the questions people have about the bible and about God. And I don't need to go to bible college to do this, though I'm sure it would be very useful!
My prayer today is for God to fill me with a desire to learn His word. I want to be so curious and get excited and passionate so I can find new things and learn them and apply them. Most of all I thank God that He has given us not only a book of instruction, but a book of encouragement and one that shows Jesus and all he did for us. Amen.
[Read Ephesians 4: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204&version=NIV]
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Ephesians 3
Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer
I read some commentaries on this chapter to get a deeper insight than I was getting on my own. My metaphorical ears pricked up at this quote from someone called Matthew Henry:
"We may learn hence that the faithful ministers of Christ are to dispense his sacred truths, however disagreeable they may be to some, and whatever they themselves may suffer for doing so."
Paul describes himself as "the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles". He says that God has disclosed to him the wonderful secret not known to anyone on earth before this time that "through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus."
As described in my last response to chapter 2, this view was absolutely radical at the time. Even one of great apostles Peter avoided preaching to the Gentiles until he was both convicted by God and challenged by Paul. No wonder Paul describes himself as a prisoner! However, Paul asks the Ephesians "not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are for you glory".
OK, let's pull this apart a bit more.
A quick look on google and you see that the word prisoner is very negative. Why then does Paul use this word prisoner in the same sentence as Jesus? I have one theory and it goes like this: when you become a Christian, your life is no longer your own. You have made a choice to submit your life to Jesus and do his will (whatever that is) in every part of your life. Jesus has authority over your life. He has the first and the last say. He OWNS you. Freaky huh? But recall that Jesus loves creation SO MUCH that he chose to replace it with himself on the cross as a sacrifice for all the sins every in all time in the whole universe.
I can't think of anybody in all of time that I would rather submit my life to than the God who has claimed me as His own out of pure love and from whom only good comes! This complete surrender to Him really does bring freedom and peace. I've found that being a slave to God is so much better than being a slave to myself, or to the world. In fact I've found that every time I try to please myself and ignore God, I end up feeling worse off for it.
But Paul still talks about suffering. In fact, he tells the Ephesians to stop worrying about it because his suffering is for their glory! HUH? In my response to chapter 1, I nutted out that because God loves us, we naturally love Him. And because we love what He loves, we love all creation.
I'm gonna spell it out for you: when it comes to God and restoring the world to a relationship with Him, how we feel doing his work has nothing to do with it. IT'S NOT ABOUT US. In an intensely individualistic society, this works us up because it goes against the grain. No, you say, this life is about me and how I feel and what I want to do. But, if you chose (note that this is a conscious decision, not forced) to follow Jesus then you willingly give up your life to Him and his will.
You see, Paul was suffering because he was preaching against society. The status quo was being challenged. He was doing UNCOMFORTABLE things. People simply didn't like it so he had a hard time. Recall that quote from the start of the post that we should tell people the truth of Jesus "however disagreeable [it] may be to some, and whatever [we] may suffer for doing so". Paul understood that this God given revelation of the truth was so much more important than how he felt at the time.
So my prayer is that I can draw on his strength to tell the truth no matter where He asks me to go or what popular belief is being challenged. I acknowledge that this may be hard or scary or freaky, but I ask that He remind me of His promises in the bible (like Jeremiah 29:11). Thank you Jesus that as Christians we know the truth but also have the great privilege to spread the gospel. Amen.
[Read Ephesians 3: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%203&version=NIV]
p.s. to see the commentary to which I'm referring, click on the link above and on the right hand side of the passage click on "Show Resources" and scroll down a bit to click on verses 1-13 of Matthew Henry's Commentary.
I read some commentaries on this chapter to get a deeper insight than I was getting on my own. My metaphorical ears pricked up at this quote from someone called Matthew Henry:
"We may learn hence that the faithful ministers of Christ are to dispense his sacred truths, however disagreeable they may be to some, and whatever they themselves may suffer for doing so."
Paul describes himself as "the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles". He says that God has disclosed to him the wonderful secret not known to anyone on earth before this time that "through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus."
As described in my last response to chapter 2, this view was absolutely radical at the time. Even one of great apostles Peter avoided preaching to the Gentiles until he was both convicted by God and challenged by Paul. No wonder Paul describes himself as a prisoner! However, Paul asks the Ephesians "not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are for you glory".
OK, let's pull this apart a bit more.
A quick look on google and you see that the word prisoner is very negative. Why then does Paul use this word prisoner in the same sentence as Jesus? I have one theory and it goes like this: when you become a Christian, your life is no longer your own. You have made a choice to submit your life to Jesus and do his will (whatever that is) in every part of your life. Jesus has authority over your life. He has the first and the last say. He OWNS you. Freaky huh? But recall that Jesus loves creation SO MUCH that he chose to replace it with himself on the cross as a sacrifice for all the sins every in all time in the whole universe.
I can't think of anybody in all of time that I would rather submit my life to than the God who has claimed me as His own out of pure love and from whom only good comes! This complete surrender to Him really does bring freedom and peace. I've found that being a slave to God is so much better than being a slave to myself, or to the world. In fact I've found that every time I try to please myself and ignore God, I end up feeling worse off for it.
But Paul still talks about suffering. In fact, he tells the Ephesians to stop worrying about it because his suffering is for their glory! HUH? In my response to chapter 1, I nutted out that because God loves us, we naturally love Him. And because we love what He loves, we love all creation.
I'm gonna spell it out for you: when it comes to God and restoring the world to a relationship with Him, how we feel doing his work has nothing to do with it. IT'S NOT ABOUT US. In an intensely individualistic society, this works us up because it goes against the grain. No, you say, this life is about me and how I feel and what I want to do. But, if you chose (note that this is a conscious decision, not forced) to follow Jesus then you willingly give up your life to Him and his will.
You see, Paul was suffering because he was preaching against society. The status quo was being challenged. He was doing UNCOMFORTABLE things. People simply didn't like it so he had a hard time. Recall that quote from the start of the post that we should tell people the truth of Jesus "however disagreeable [it] may be to some, and whatever [we] may suffer for doing so". Paul understood that this God given revelation of the truth was so much more important than how he felt at the time.
So my prayer is that I can draw on his strength to tell the truth no matter where He asks me to go or what popular belief is being challenged. I acknowledge that this may be hard or scary or freaky, but I ask that He remind me of His promises in the bible (like Jeremiah 29:11). Thank you Jesus that as Christians we know the truth but also have the great privilege to spread the gospel. Amen.
[Read Ephesians 3: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%203&version=NIV]
p.s. to see the commentary to which I'm referring, click on the link above and on the right hand side of the passage click on "Show Resources" and scroll down a bit to click on verses 1-13 of Matthew Henry's Commentary.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Ephesians 2
Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer
In the second half of this chapter (verses 11-22) we see a juxtaposition of before-Christ and after-Christ. After reminding the Ephesians that it was through grace they had been saved, not works, Paul goes on to remind them of their identity before Christ died for them.
"..remember that formally you who are Gentiles by birth and called 'uncircumcised'... - remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citenzenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world." (verses 11 - 12)
How scary would that have been, to know that just because you were born outside of Israel that somehow you were automatically excluded from God! I can't imagine how it would have felt to be apart from God. It really would have been hell on earth.
I've always wondered: why did God just choose the Israelites to be His chosen people and then exclude everyone else for that time? You can read the story of the Israelites. Over and over again they took God for granted and got into really bad situations because of it. They weren't exactly an ideal people!
But then you read on: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been bought near through the blood of Christ" and not only that but also "for he himself is our peace, who has made two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility".
So let's look at the big picture: Jesus came and died for our sins, but he also claimed the whole world as his chosen people in the same action. He broke down all human barriers making his love and a relationship with God through him possible to absolutely everyone, regardless of who you think you are. "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's household."
Before Christ died, our identity was worldy. It was where you were born, what colour your skin is, your name, your gender, your sexuality, your personality. But now our identity is found in Jesus because when he died for us he claimed us as his own. Now two very opposite people are the same - unified in the love Jesus has for them. "His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of two, thus making peace."
My application today goes something like this: there is no point in me trying to categorise people and treat them accordingly. There is only one category. Jesus. And therefore I must treat everyone as I would myself as I know that we are all one in Jesus and any actions against someone would be against myself and ultimately against Jesus!
Phew. I must say, that was a mission to get my head around today, so sorry if it's a bit confusing!
Anyway, my prayer is for God to help me to realise the power of Jesus dying on the cross. Lord, help me to act towards others as you would because we are one and the same in You. I thank you that you came to create peace and restore relationships with You. That you are a God of creation, not destruction. Thank you for your mighty love! Amen.
[Read Ephesians 2: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202&version=NIV]
(I read this the day after I posted this response and I think it fits in. It's quite long, but worth it to read the whole way through. Let me know what you think! http://eugenecho.com/2011/03/08/supporting-women-in-ministry/)
In the second half of this chapter (verses 11-22) we see a juxtaposition of before-Christ and after-Christ. After reminding the Ephesians that it was through grace they had been saved, not works, Paul goes on to remind them of their identity before Christ died for them.
"..remember that formally you who are Gentiles by birth and called 'uncircumcised'... - remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citenzenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world." (verses 11 - 12)
How scary would that have been, to know that just because you were born outside of Israel that somehow you were automatically excluded from God! I can't imagine how it would have felt to be apart from God. It really would have been hell on earth.
I've always wondered: why did God just choose the Israelites to be His chosen people and then exclude everyone else for that time? You can read the story of the Israelites. Over and over again they took God for granted and got into really bad situations because of it. They weren't exactly an ideal people!
But then you read on: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been bought near through the blood of Christ" and not only that but also "for he himself is our peace, who has made two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility".
So let's look at the big picture: Jesus came and died for our sins, but he also claimed the whole world as his chosen people in the same action. He broke down all human barriers making his love and a relationship with God through him possible to absolutely everyone, regardless of who you think you are. "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's household."
Before Christ died, our identity was worldy. It was where you were born, what colour your skin is, your name, your gender, your sexuality, your personality. But now our identity is found in Jesus because when he died for us he claimed us as his own. Now two very opposite people are the same - unified in the love Jesus has for them. "His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of two, thus making peace."
My application today goes something like this: there is no point in me trying to categorise people and treat them accordingly. There is only one category. Jesus. And therefore I must treat everyone as I would myself as I know that we are all one in Jesus and any actions against someone would be against myself and ultimately against Jesus!
Phew. I must say, that was a mission to get my head around today, so sorry if it's a bit confusing!
Anyway, my prayer is for God to help me to realise the power of Jesus dying on the cross. Lord, help me to act towards others as you would because we are one and the same in You. I thank you that you came to create peace and restore relationships with You. That you are a God of creation, not destruction. Thank you for your mighty love! Amen.
[Read Ephesians 2: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202&version=NIV]
(I read this the day after I posted this response and I think it fits in. It's quite long, but worth it to read the whole way through. Let me know what you think! http://eugenecho.com/2011/03/08/supporting-women-in-ministry/)
Friday, June 1, 2012
Ephesians 1
Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer
Today's reading took me a while to get my head around in the NIV version, so I grabbed my Message bible and read that instead. Fortunately, it made a lot more sense!
In this chapter, Paul describes how God had all of us in mind before time began. That He had always intended for us to be adopted into the family through Jesus and that He took great pleasure in this! I can imagine God with a cheeky smile, rubbing His hands together, plotting the greatest love story ever told, all because He loved us from the word "let there be light"!
This playful and loving side of God is one that I feel many people don't grasp at first. This really is the grace of God - that He loved us before we even had the chance to stuff up and He still loves us and will always love us, no matter what! His love is a gift. No one can earn it or get away from it. Paul doesn't tell the Ephesians "OK, so until you are perfect and never sin and work super hard beyond human capacity, then I'll praise God because you have earned your salvation!" Of course not! Instead, Paul understands that God loves us so much that He couldn't help but give us the gift of salvation.
This is the radical thing then: God only gave us this gift because He loves us. It's not that He took pity on us, or gave it hesitantly, or anything. No, this gift of grace was a symptom of the immense and unfathomable love He has for us. So naturally, in response to this love, I feel compelled to love Him back! Loving God also means loving His creation with the same grace as He loves His creation. And so out of His love for me, given by grace, I naturally want to love everyone. Get it?
It's like energy in physics. Energy is always conserved, it is never created or destroyed. In the same way that energy came from one place and now flows all around the world, empowering nations and making life possible, so too does love, which comes from God and flows through us to everyone around us.
So my prayer today is that I can remember and be amazed at this gift of grace. I ask God that I can not help but love on everyone around me in response to His love. I pray that I can do this through His love and strength, and bring life to others this way. I thank God for the simple fact that He loves me! Amen to that!
[Read Ephesians 1: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%201&version=MSG]
Today's reading took me a while to get my head around in the NIV version, so I grabbed my Message bible and read that instead. Fortunately, it made a lot more sense!
In this chapter, Paul describes how God had all of us in mind before time began. That He had always intended for us to be adopted into the family through Jesus and that He took great pleasure in this! I can imagine God with a cheeky smile, rubbing His hands together, plotting the greatest love story ever told, all because He loved us from the word "let there be light"!
This playful and loving side of God is one that I feel many people don't grasp at first. This really is the grace of God - that He loved us before we even had the chance to stuff up and He still loves us and will always love us, no matter what! His love is a gift. No one can earn it or get away from it. Paul doesn't tell the Ephesians "OK, so until you are perfect and never sin and work super hard beyond human capacity, then I'll praise God because you have earned your salvation!" Of course not! Instead, Paul understands that God loves us so much that He couldn't help but give us the gift of salvation.
This is the radical thing then: God only gave us this gift because He loves us. It's not that He took pity on us, or gave it hesitantly, or anything. No, this gift of grace was a symptom of the immense and unfathomable love He has for us. So naturally, in response to this love, I feel compelled to love Him back! Loving God also means loving His creation with the same grace as He loves His creation. And so out of His love for me, given by grace, I naturally want to love everyone. Get it?
It's like energy in physics. Energy is always conserved, it is never created or destroyed. In the same way that energy came from one place and now flows all around the world, empowering nations and making life possible, so too does love, which comes from God and flows through us to everyone around us.
So my prayer today is that I can remember and be amazed at this gift of grace. I ask God that I can not help but love on everyone around me in response to His love. I pray that I can do this through His love and strength, and bring life to others this way. I thank God for the simple fact that He loves me! Amen to that!
[Read Ephesians 1: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%201&version=MSG]
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