Posted by Pastor Pat on October 16, 2010
Read Ephesians 2:11-22
The “therefore” forces us back into our previous thought: Therefore remember . . . . It is a call not to forget from where you came (2:1-3) and what God has now done (2:5, 6). The entire work of God is to restore the fellowship and harmony and peace that once existed but was broken by humanity’s rebellion against Him. It is only as we declare our autonomy and make the story about us that the breach is formed and conflict exists. Oh how painfully sad whenever there is conflict and strife within the body of Christ. All of the division that exists by geography, economics, gender, race, allegiance, intellect, ability, sense or the lack thereof is corrected at the cross in the person of Christ. His work makes it possible for the curse to be reversed. It does not matter how it is expressed; in God all things are (ultimately) reconciled. As far fetched as the idea appears to be, the intent of God is to reconcile all things created (not just human relationships). The cross is God’s pronouncement as it relates to this conflict.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on October 10, 2010
Read Ephesians 4:1-6
Whatever Paul brings to the table in 4:1 and following is a consequence of his previous thought. Paul begins in verse 4:1 by imploring his audience “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which they have been called.” Somehow we have twisted the thought of walking worthy to mean something that is meritorious and thus resulting in our acceptance before the Father. Yet everything up to this point clearly points out how our acceptance before and access to the Father is firmly rooted in and flowing from our in Christ status (1:5; 2:18; 3:12).
“He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will” (Eph. 1:5).
“For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father” (Eph. 2:18).
“In whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him” (Eph. 3:12).
The thought of worthy is something that is compatible with or suitable to. Paul’s simple thought is that our lives should mimic our spiritual union with Christ. Whatever we are in Christ we should be while in the world. It is His life flowing into us and thus flowing out of us. Although it might be anti-climatic, let us not forget that the “us” of Ephesians is the “we” of the church and not the “us” of isolated independent individualism.
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