Paul emphasizes the need for unity (throughout most of this letter to the Ephesians); the word "one" is used seven times in these next two verses (vv 4-6). Paul seeks unity- between Jews and Gentiles. Again, I ask, is this possible in our world? In our denomination (UMC)? In our local church?
Jesus gives us grace (v 7)- Jesus doesn't ask if we want it- it is just given! To us...the parade of captives (we were captives to sin), and grace is a gift- we don't deserve it- it was just given! Jesus gave other gifts too (vv 11- 13)- gifts that we should be using to spread the message of love and peace-- and we are to continue with that work until unity happens! Not everyone is preacher, not everyone is teacher...but we all have a gift that we are to use. What is your gift? Are you using it? There is a big challenge by Paul in v 13- this work must continue until we are all joined together...Can that happen? What are you doing to help that unity happen?
I like Paul's description of faith (v 14). We will not be swayed by anything! How strong is your faith? Are you swayed or tricked? Paul emphasizes that we must all work together to bring this unity and this faith. But it only works if everyone works together. Similar to the way disease affects a human body- if something is wrong with one part- the whole machine (your body) just doesn't work right. The church is like that...one part that is off kilter causes the whole thing to act strange and not efficiently. How "healthy" is the church?
Paul then goes on to remind the followers of Christ to not be like "them"- those that don't follow Christ (vv 17- 19). They may have their gods, they may worship, they may have their rules- but they are not like the rules of live and peace and forgiveness and grace. I am sure we know people that Paul talks about- but I challenge you to at least try to talk with them! Paul reminds us that we were like that (vv 22- 24), we did the "evils", we did the bad, we did what we wanted...but now that we are children of God, we have new selves! We have new hearts (v 23)...the heart is the central part of our life and if our hearts are new, then our whole being is new. Do you feel like a new creation? Can you/ did you leave your old selves behind?
Paul seems to focus on two points in our life (vv 26- 32)= anger and forgiveness. Do not be angry- because that leads to sin and encourages us to do wrong. And once that begins- the devil has a way of getting into us and using that weakness to continue going down the "wrong" path. I like v 29- Paul says- say what people need to hear- but do it nicely! Can you do that- tell people what they need to hear? It is difficult and I shy away from saying things to people- even though I know I should! Imagine the world (or at least your small world), if we lived as Paul suggests (v 32)- be kind and loving to each other and forgive as God forgave. If only that wasn't so tough!
Enjoy the sunshine today and may you continue to be blessed in these readings!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
Pastor Paul
Oh my goodness it is cold. Vs. 1-6, to me, are pretty straightforward. Paul is very clear on how we are to live - especially in the vocation we are called. If only the vocation i was called in was very plain from God. 😃 And I believe in what is said very strongly. But in vs. 7 in KJV it says “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” What stage of Grace is this? Grace ACCORDING to the MEASURE of the gift of Christ? So it is grace that differs according to the gift? Does that mean that God knows what we need to do the “job” he wants us to do and gives us just the amount of Grace we need? I think it’s interesting about what happened to Jesus immediately after his death. Jesus while on the cross tells a prisoner that TODAY he will join Him in Heaven - so that means that Jesus will be in heaven immediately? But then our affirmation of faith says in three days He arose. And here it sounds like Paul is saying he descended to Hell - as I know an affirmation of faith in other faiths say. Which sortof makes sense since those already dead would have no knowledge of Jesus nor the opportunity to accept HIm - this might be their chance? In my study Bible it notes that vs. 27 -which reads in my translations “Neither give place to the devil” means that sin really starts with us and our own evil desires - something Paul mentioned about desires of the flesh vs. desires of the spirit. - and then when we have given into those desires the devil pushes us further. That was a new kindof meaning to me. I always equated all sinful actions to the influence of the devil. You know - “The devil made me do it.” Although I know we have the choice of either following that temptation or not. But this gives it an entirely new slant - WE start the sin - WE think of the sin - WE act upon those thoughts and THEN the devil takes over. So going on this - I don’t think it is possible for us to be totally unified. We think the thoughts we do based on so many things - our experiences, our teachings, our families - and sometimes we let the devil in. BUT that doesn’t mean we should stop trying! However, should we be unified in our church? Absolutely! Paul does seem to be stressing not only unity (which seems to be the theme of this letter) but also edifying. Which is not only the clergy person’s job but, as Paul notes, is all Christians’ job. Can I/do I? Yes, but only if the opportunity is there - we are already talking about it - if I am filling in at the pulpit - but to bring it up among strangers out of the blue? Maybe a line or two - but an entire conversation - not sure about that. Maybe that is something that we should be taught how to do? I really do try to show love and forgiveness to everyone and make everyone feel welcome in our church or the group I might be in. Do I always succeed? Probably not. And probably not as strongly as Paul indicates that I and all Christians should. Religion used to be something always talked about and lived in rituals and every day life. That’s not so today - it’s a Sunday thing. Or a function thing. But not an individual thing. Because of that, it’s a lot harder to tell people what they need to hear - and, of course, that’s assuming that I know what it is they need to hear. I have been a Christian as long as I can remember. But I do have to say that sometimes I can hear a message, or read something, or hear something, and I can get excited all over again and feel the “new” person that Paul speaks about!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...that's a great question! My text doesn't say that...so my guess is- like you suggest- some of us need more grace than others? I mean- take me for example- I am a great person and always do good...so I definitely need less grace than others that are just the opposite of me!! ;)
DeleteJesus says, on the cross to the criminal, today you will be with me in Paradise. There are some theologies (Lutheran eg) that say in their creeds Jesus descended to hell...that is what Paul references here...the possibility that Jesus went to hell to experience the fullness of sin and so that he could grab those that he could!
I like your interpretation of sin and the devil-- we start it- the devil takes over!
And right- as the church we should be unified- and its not just the pastors job to edify! Great words!
We all try, but we may not all be successful! It is hard to bring up theology and God when talking with a stranger- even a friend at times! Much easier when I am in front of my people at Little Meadows!
Great thoughts Donna- thanks!
P.S. - what is Paul referring to when he says “heavenly places”?
ReplyDeleteWhat verse?? My translation is different, but my guess is to show us what heaven and paradise is like??
DeleteI believe that God does want us to live a life of humbleness, gentleness, acceptance, etc. but I think that sometimes people add their own takes on what God intends that aren't necessarily true. Jesus came to teach us to love one another. I'm not sure that I believe that that means to try to tell another person what they need to hear. I personally don't think most people want to change a great deal. They do wanted to be accepted and not judged. Maybe living the life that you think is Godly is a good way to show others what you mean. I know a lot of people (and I include me here) that "rate sins". My parents brought me up to believe that drinking alcohol in any way or amount is a terrible sin. However my father was smoker so smoking wasn't a sin. We all know what sins we think are the worst and which ones we just have to turn a blind eye to. We all have our ideas of which sins are the worst ones. (By the way, I don't think drinking is sin. Everyone has to make their own decisions and be responsible for themselves).
ReplyDeleteHow can we have unity if we set up our rules about what is acceptable and what is not? I realize we do need guidelines. I think we've talked about a lot about rules and laws and compassion. This is an area we all need to wrestle with, in my opinion. Maybe that is a prison in a way.
We do have a tendency to add in what we think God wants don't we! And you are so right, people don't want to change! That is one reason why conversations are sometimes so hard!
DeleteTalk to Donna about rating our sins! She struggles with this too! Are there differing degrees of sin?? That's a tough one!
We all wrestle with rules and what is acceptable and what isn't!I like the comment- maybe that is a prison!
Great thoughts Cathy! Thanks!
Had to go out this morning for blood work, thought i might freeze bur it really wasn't as bad as i thought it was going to be. Thank goodness for warm cars!
ReplyDeletePaul writes again about being a prisoner but he tells the Christians to be humble ,gentle loving and forgiving make every effort you can to be one body in the church with Jesus as the leader(head)
As we are individuals we each have different abilities(gifts) that we can use to build up the church We should keep our faith as we children do but to grow a adults in God's love and strengthen our selves to be good and faithful Christians. Leave the sins behind and strive not to sin anymore although as we are humans we know that that is impossible not to ever sin again What the old saying "to err is human, to forgive divine" Don't let anger control you Sometimes it is so hard to do I know I have been guilty of being angry and going to bed angry only to wake up in the morning feeling so guilty and ashamed that I had let it get the best of me, and had to apologize and ask for forgiveness.
Thank God for his love that He forgives us our sins no matter how many times we fail.
It is winter! In February! In New York! This is the first real winter we have had in a while-- but definitely not too much of a fan!
DeleteMy grandmother used to always say- never go to bed angry! I do at times, and like you, feel bad in the morning. We so need to try to forgive more easily!
Great thoughts Clara!
The beginning of this chapter says...always be humble and gentle. This makes me think of the Tim McGraw song Humble and Kind that is a favorite of mine. I believe all of us in this group try to live our lives like this. The question from these last two chapters would we go to prison for what we believe in. My husband and I have had this discussion several times lately. There are so many people in modern times who have. Look at Nelson Mandela, Alexis Navalny in Russia. Women who went to jail for the right to vote or civil rights protesters. There are things I believe very passionate about but I am not as brave as they were. I really like Cathy’s statement to live out lives the way we think is godly to show others what we mean.
ReplyDeleteGreat song- I wish I had thought of that!
DeleteAnd I agree- I may be string, but I am not brave!
All we can do is keep trying- like you say- but its hard sometimes, isn't it!
Nice comments! Thanks Cindy!
In this chapter, Paul, from prison, teaches us how to live a good life. I want to say a Christian life, but I am not sure that Christianity exists as yet. What is my gift? My gift is to work with my hands; to figure technical things out and repair them if that is what is needed. I am only working part time now, and I am shying away from work due to my age and COVID-19. When and if this pandemic ever abates and we don't have to wear gloves and masks and I am still in good health (God willing), I will probably continue working. I love what I do and I used to do it full time. I worked for 22 years at IBM and, I was told that I was overqualified to do what I liked, so I had to do design work. It was over my head and I hated it. Eventually, I became ill with depression and had to leave. IBM treated me very well and I wish my "career" there could have been better. Now I am doing something that I love to do, and I feel like I have found my gift and I am using it. As far as church goes, I didn't attend for many years when my illness was so bad. Finally, Rhea asked me to come to a Christmas Eve service at Little Meadows where she was playing piano.. I was really taken by how friendly and-down-to-earth the people were and I knew I would eventually start attending church there again. I had to wait until I knew I was ready, but when I was, I started coming to church and I pray that I will attend for the rest of my life. I think that this is the message Paul was trying to get across in this chapter. It is one of tolerance toward people who have different viewpoints. One comes to mind but I am going to steer clear of it. As I said last week, I do not think I have the backbone to go to prison for what I believe in. Prison is such a harsh place and I admire Paul and people like him who are able to accomplish their goals while incarcerated.
ReplyDeleteI just read Cathy's comment and I believe she hit the nail right on the head. For me, I never smoked because my parents convinced me it was bad. I never remember saying that it was, but just the way they conducted our home was good enough. I was tempted and I really tried to start when I started at IBM. Everybody smoked except me. I bought a few packs and smoked them, but I felt so guilty that I stopped. Drinking was another story. As I have previously stated, I once felt rotten after three beers, and I haven't had any alcohol (except sips of wine on special occasions) since. To this day, I believe that my rotten experience was God talking to me and telling me to stop. His message was loud and clear.
We all should hear things that we don't want to hear, but it is difficult to do it in a way that it has meaning. I don't do it because I know I would botch it. I also have a hard and fast rule that I will not attempt to impose my religion nor beliefs on other people, unless they are going to violate the law of do something especially sinister.
Right- "Christianity" didn't exist...I think that term may have originated around 200-300AD? The people were called followers of Christ!
DeleteYou do good technical work Jack- something I cannot do!! And I am glad that Rhea "encouraged" you to visit us at Little Meadows!
And what you say is good- we may not always agree- but we can get along!
God's message isn't always so clear though is it!
Impose your religion is one thing- talking about God is a different thing- but hard to separate the two, It is hard talking to others about God!
Great comments and sharing Jack- thanks!
BTW, according to my thermometer, it is -8. At the weather service office on the top of the hill, it is -15. It is forecast to be in the negative 18 tonight and in the negative 20s for the rest of the week. The high tomorrow is -7. On Thursday, the high is forecast to be -12 and the low is -30. Do you still think it's cold in Binghamton?
ReplyDeleteIts not cold here by your standard! When Morgan was in Alaska, the coldest temp she experienced was -35...the high for the day was -20! I try not to complain about the cold knowing that!
ReplyDeleteYes we can live in unity and be worthy of his calling. Paul presents several issues to unite believers, that Christ makes us one body, one Lord Jesus himself, one Faith, one Baptism, one God. God gave each of us believer a special gift in Christ. All church's believe in Jesus Christ, even though there are some difference in some. We should all pray together and love one another. Paul makes it sound so easy. I guess I am the one that makes it hard.
ReplyDelete