My son, Jonah, is afraid of the dark. For a while, after we would read him a bedtime story and sing “Silent Night” as a lullaby, we would close the door to a dark, quiet room. And, a few moments later, we would hear the pitter-patter of feet as he would get out of his toddler bed, go over to the lamp in his room, and click it on. One day while he was playing, he told me that he had to turn his light on because he doesn’t like the dark because there are monsters in the dark.
Even though I am grown, I can empathize with his fears. I remember – and I bet you do too – those moments of fear when the lights go out. I remember begging my parents to leave the closet light on because I was unsure what was lurking out there in the dark past my bed. It seems only natural to be a little afraid of the dark, those places you can’t see. It’s a built-in defense mechanism that humans have to navigate nighttime in our world.
The Bible is full of themes that occur from beginning to end. You could trace the way water is used as a symbol of chaos and cleansing or the way trees represent a strong, godly life. One theme that occurs from beginning to end is the contrast between dark and light. Darkness is always connected with sin and evil, whereas light is connected with righteousness and God himself.
This is a quick overview of the way this theme is used in scripture. In the beginning, God created the light and called it good (Gen. 1:4). After the fall, the world is described as being in darkness. God is constantly beckoning his people to be a light to the surrounding nations (Gen. 15:5), but Israel repeatedly chose darkness. Jesus is the true light that shines out into the dark world – and his light “gives light to everyone” (John 1:9). We are now the torchbearers that continue to shine a light in the world. We are called to “shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15). We “cast off our works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:12, see also Eph. 5:7-14).
We see an example of being a light to the world in Judah’s king Josiah. After two dark, wicked kings of Judah, Josiah repairs the temple. He becomes a light to the nation calling them back to worship God and obey him after over half a century of disobedience. He repairs the temple and shares the law with Judah. The people were in darkness because of the evil kings, but Josiah was being a light pointing them back toward God. Just like the nation of Judah, we also have a tendency to pull toward darkness. In fact, sometimes we seem to like darkness; we prefer it over having our deeds exposed in the light. However, since we are in Christ, we need to put aside those worldly desires and choose to follow God completely. God is light and there is no darkness in him (1 John 1:5). We cannot do the deeds of darkness and follow God at the same time. Let’s be like King Josiah, and be a leader of light to those around us.
~ Cayce Fletcher
Reflection Questions:
Why do you think that the Bible uses the imagery of light and darkness to represent good and evil?
How was King Josiah a light to his country?
How can you be a light that represents Jesus to others today? What are some actions you could take?
Yesterday, we learned about the exile of the nation of Israel because of the idolatry that they practiced. 2 Kings 17:34 describes the Israelites who lived in Samaria: “To this day they do according to the former manner [fearing God but also serving the gods of the surrounding nations]. They do not fear the LORD, and they do not follow the statutes or the rules or the law of the commandments the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel.” The nation of Israel had spiraled down the dark, deep hole of sin that ended in exile.
There is a glimmer of hope in 2 Kings 18, as we read about Hezekiah the good king of the neighboring nation, Judah. “He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. For he held fast to the LORD. He did not depart from following him but kept the commandments that the LORD commanded Moses” (v.5-6).
A little over halfway through his reign, Hezekiah is faced with a terrible situation. The king of Assyria attacks Judah and forces Judah to pay him tribute. Things even got so bad that Hezekiah stripped the gold off the temple doors and gives it to the Assyrian king. The Assyrians mock God and swear that God has forsaken Judah. This is where chapter 19 picks up.
When faced with a terrible situation, what does Hezekiah do? Hezekiah humbles himself, goes to God, and listens. Hezekiah sent people to Isaiah to pray in the nation’s behalf (v. 4). This proves to be exactly the right course of action.
We can learn so much from the reign of Hezekiah, but I think it’s so important to look at how he handled these difficult situations. You can follow the example of Hezekiah in doing the following:
Humble yourself. Hezekiah tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth. He didn’t try to appear to have his life together. He recognized the severity of the situation and knew he could not save himself without God.
Go to God. Hezekiah went to the house of the Lord immediately. He knew where to turn with the situation got tough.
Seek counsel and comfort from godly people. Hezekiah gathered up a few trusted servants and priests to go to Isaiah, the prophet for help.
Recognize that you have a mediator who knows your needs. Hezekiah turned to Isaiah to be a mediator between God and him. He asks Isaiah to pray for him. We don’t have to turn to men to pray for us. Instead, we can go to God ourselves because we have a mediator in Jesus.
At the end of this chapter, Isaiah gives some reassuring news. The Assyrian king would not destroy Judah. In fact, he would fall by his own sword. Verse 35-37 goes on to say, “That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when the people arose early in the morning, behold these were all dead bodies. Then Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went home and lived at Nineveh. And as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god Adrammelech and Sharezer, his sons, struck him down with the sword.” God’s promises are true. Praise God that we can go to him in all of our sufferings.
~ Cayce Fletcher
Reflection Questions:
What difficult situation are you facing today? What strikes fear in your heart? Makes you despair? Bring this situation to God.
Who are some people you can turn to in difficult situations that can help to point you to Christ?
How is prayer different from the Old Testament to the New Testament because of Christ?
The school year has just ended in SC, and I am thoroughly enjoying summertime. After teaching for 5 years (and being in public school/college all those years before it), summer has become a beautiful time of rest, relaxation, and lots of swimming and sunshine. Summer is one of the perks of being a teacher, but it is definitely a time that feels earned. After a year of pushing students to be better learners and better people, I need a break.
One of the most challenging things about being a teacher is the constant redirection and discipline that are required to make sure a classroom runs smoothly. If everyone is always doing what they want – whether that’s blurting out, going to the bathroom (as soon as we start taking notes!), or playing on the iPad – not much learning is happening. One of my jobs as a teacher is to set up a structure for my classroom that involves rules so that students know how to overcome doing what they want so that they can do what they need in order to learn. Sometimes students are happy to follow these rules. But, sometimes they are not. When they don’t follow rules, there is a system of warnings and consequences to try to get them back on track. Lunch detention, emails home, you know the drill. Occasionally, a student will not listen, and that is when the big punishment happens: ISS or OSS. Any public school kids know about this place of detention. The purposes of ISS, or in-school suspension, are two-fold: (1) By taking them out of the classroom, they miss out on the fun and good things we do as well. Normally, they don’t want to be away from the class because of this. (2) It also removes the student from the learning environment so they don’t pull everyone else down with them.
In our reading today, we see the punishment the Israelites received that reminds me quite a bit of ISS, except much more severe and far-reaching. The Israelites were exiled from their land as a consequence of their sin. We read in 2 Kings 17:1-23 about how the Israelite king, Hoshen, continued to follow the pattern of doing evil in God’s sight. This caused the king of Assyria to invade the land and ‘carry the Israelites away to Assyria and place them’ throughout the land of Assyria (v. 6). Verse 7-8 says, “And this occurred because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of the Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, and walked in the customs of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel, and in the customs that the kings of Israel had practiced.” Verses 9-23 go on to describe the Israelites’ descent into sin from the time they entered the promised land with Joshua until the present time. In Deuteronomy 28, we read the promised consequences for the sin of disobedience and see these consequences given after the Israelites choose repeatedly not to listen to what God has told them to do. Despite knowing these consequences, the Israelites still pursued other gods and idols. When God would try to call them out of their sin and draw them back to him, they would not listen.
Ps. 135 describes the difference between God and idols. Calling back to the deliverance from Egypt, it states the great works of God and praises him because “For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession” (v. 4). In contrast, the idols are the work of human hands that cannot speak, see, hear, or breathe. “Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them” (v. 18). It’s chilling to read this Psalm after seeing the demise of the state of Israel. Because the Israelites trusted in their idols, they either died or were forced to live in captivity where their “life shall hand in doubt before them. Night and day they shall be in dread and have no assurance of their life” (Deut. 28:66). Instead of Israel being God’s chosen possession, God “rejected all the descendants of Israel and afflicted them and gave them into the hand of plunderers, until he had cast them out of his sight” (2 Kings 17:20).
This is a harsh consequence, but like the punishment of ISS, it is twofold in purpose. The descent into sin needed to be stopped. This was God’s boundary line, stating that if they continued to act like this they would not be allowed to remain with him. It also removed Israel from close proximity to Judah, the nation that still remained in the Promised Land. At this point, Judah was not too far gone, so God didn’t want Judah to be brought down further into sin by Israel.
God takes idolatry seriously, and there are severe consequences for it. We cannot be God’s chosen people if we choose to pursue idols. Idols look different than in the Israelites’ time, but they are all around us: Beauty, Money, Sex, Work, Family, Political Beliefs, Identity, Alcohol, Drugs, Social Media, Image. These are the intangible idols. We can’t hold them in our hands like idols of the olden days, but we may worship them all the same, giving offerings of our time, money, and relationships – sometimes sacrificing our parents, children, spouses, or friends on the altar of their worship. We will be exiled from his presence if we choose to pursue idolatry if we choose these things over God. It is not too late to turn back to him! Cast down your idols today.
~ Cayce Fletcher
Reflection Questions:
What are some of the idols that you see in your life or the life of the people around you?
Why does God give such harsh consequences for idolatry? What is the danger of idolatry?
What does exile look like in a modern day context? Do you think God punishes people in the present day, or is it just a future consequence (aka a lake of fire punishment)?
Philippians Introduction
Paul wrote the book of Philippians to the Christians in Philippi, which was the first church Paul established in Europe. Despite the fact that Paul wrote this letter while he was a prisoner in Rome, Paul repeatedly talked about joy – showing that he could be content in any circumstance (4:11).
Paul reminded the Philippians to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (1:27), despite the persecution they were suffering (1:29-30). He pointed to Jesus as the ultimate example of humility and submission, and reminded the Philippians that they should have the same attitude as that of Jesus (2:3-11).
In chapter 3, Paul reminded the Philippians that even Paul didn’t earn his righteousness from following the law, even though he was a model Jew. Instead, all of us receive righteousness that comes from God and is by faith in Christ.
I particularly like Paul’s admonition in 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I also like Paul’s reminder in 4:13, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
May we be able to say like Paul in 4:9, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
‘For 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.” – Ephesians 6:12
In 2002 the phrase “the struggle is real” was popularized by Tupac on his posthumous track, “Fame.” The phrase up to this point was commonly used to discuss poverty, gang violence, racism, as well as more serious topics – until it entered the realm of pop culture. Fast forward ten years, the phrase takes an ironic turn, being used to qualify simple human conflict that was far from struggle. Constant yawns at work because you stayed up too late? The struggle is real. Starting a new diet where you have to exchange your pasta for salad? The struggle is real. Have trouble opening a pickle jar? The struggle is real. While this was a quick quip to be funny, it diminishes the real struggles that are faced in the world, forgetting what serious things are being battled in this every single day.
Paul closes his letter, and I close my time as your SGL writer, by reminding us all that the struggle is indeed real. Churchy Christians often forget that the struggle isn’t the style of worship music played, that camp is in a different venue, how long the sermon is, the logo that goes on the shirts and the signs, or the color of the carpet. It is okay to care and have an opinion about these things, but if this is the conflict we have for Christ, this is an ironic, fake drama to distract us from our real issues. There are greater forces at work trying to destroy the Gospel message. They already have power. They already make gains. They already are in control. Open your eyes and ears, because the struggle is real!
“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.” – Ephesians 6:13-17
How are we to combat these forces? We need to stop playing the simulation shooter inside the four walls of the church and ready ourselves for the call of duty (see what I did there). Your salvation is the target. This means you must stand your ground by readying yourself for battle as a soldier. Only then will you stand firm.
This starts with the tactical belt of truth, which girds up our lions to make us more physically available to fight. We can move against the forces of evil swifter because the truth of God is an innate understanding (Psa 19). Next, the bulletproof vest of righteousness that covers us along with the shield of faith. There will be shots fired at who we once were, but when we believe, we are covered by the blood of Christ (Phil 3:9-10). We also have the tactical boots of readiness. These go wherever God calls us. God makes us ready to move quickly to any terrain, literally or metaphorically, as a peacekeeping force, sharing hope and peace as Christ did (John 14:17). Finally, there is the helmet of salvation and the semi-automatic Word of God. Though there is a constant barrage of targeted messages aiming for a headshot, we need to remember that God so loved us (John 3:16). Additionally, we pull the trigger to directly take on evil. Jesus shows us that we can combat temptation by faith-driven speaking of scripture (Matt 4).
There are forces after you every single day. The struggle is so real. Don’t be a casualty because you are not ready to meet your foe. Garb yourself in the armor of God, knowing the battle belongs to the Lord.
“Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. (Be Strong In The Lord!) Victory Belongs To The Lord.” 2 Chron. 20:15b
-Aaron Winner
Reflection Questions
What ‘fake struggles’ do you spend too much time and effort fighting? What is the real battle that matters? Where do you see evidence of this real battle?
What are the pieces of spiritual armor in Ephesians 6 and what is the purpose of each piece?
Is there a piece that you think you use well? Which piece(s) do you need to work with some more to improve your battle against the evil forces?
What does a Christian look like? The answer to this question is increasingly difficult. In the United States today, many Christians are indiscernible from those who do not subscribe to the same faith. Outside the time spent at church each week, the majority of the week is spent watching the same shows, making the same jokes, engaging in the same relationship, and working the same hours. A handful of hours a week of being different doesn’t make faith. While going to church is better than nothing at all, if the Gospel message is not changing your life, you are wasting your time.
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:1
Paul makes the case in Ephesians 5 that we are called to be different. Not people simply filling out your church time card, but an actual dichotomy, a detectable quality that implies a different standard for your life. It isn’t just banning a rated-R comedy, but it is changing the spirit of what you find funny. It isn’t just waiting until marriage to have sex, but it is the constant devotion to your spouse to where your eyes don’t wander. It is working less hours to have time with your family, but a constant belief that God will provide no matter the circumstance. These are core elements, that not only change our input, “well we don’t”, but change our output, making our life distinguishably lived for Christ.
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:15-20
You may think you are living for Christ, but do you really look and sound different? Here is a quick quiz to see if you are on board with what Paul is saying to the Ephesians. While the results here are not conclusive, they should be convicting, challenging us to become more like Christ and less like a Christian in camouflage.
– When people at work talk about a scandalous show, I’m reminded that I missed the last episode.
– Sometimes I let myself or my friends have too many drinks because we’re just having a good time.
– I enjoy a good joke, it doesn’t really matter if it is dirty or clean.
– I only use profanity when I’m around my friends that use it too.
– It doesn’t hurt to look.
– I go to church because it’s really the only time I see my family and friends.
– I just don’t really like worship music; that’s why I don’t listen to it.
– The people around me understand that I don’t always keep my promises.
– I don’t feel like it’s anyone’s business what I do on Saturday night to unwind.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:8-10
-Aaron Winner
Reflection Questions
In Ephesians 5:10 Paul urges us to “find out what pleases the Lord?” How do you think we can do that best? Do you truly desire to please the Lord?
Looking at yourself, what do you see that would fall into the PLEASES the LORD category? What do you see that would be outside of this category?
Are you blending in with the world and missing opportunities to please the Lord and be a witness? Give some specific examples and what you can do differently to make the most of the opportunity instead.
Thou shalt not murder. This is one of the simplest commandments to keep. But the Jews of old and the Western world today lay out conditions of killing another human being that are acceptable, or deserve a lesser degree of punishment. In this standard, the most murderiest of murders is “murder with malice”. This means that the crime was premeditated and the intent to kill was established well before the act was carried out – murder happened in the heart first. (Matt 5:21-22) Malice, this intention and desire for evil, has no place in the Christian’s heart.
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32
Therefore, It is seemingly pretty simple advice when Paul states Christians should get rid of every form of malice. Christians sin, yes, but isn’t it always accidental or sometimes in the spirit of the moment? Not quite. The malicious premeditation of a Christian is more elaborate and filled with justifications for their crime. Christians become apologetics for the immoral actions of a political candidate because their candidate does their bidding. Christians cheat on their taxes with the justification that the government is spending on abortion. Christians gossip under the guise of having more people in prayer over the concern. Christians withhold the Gospel message from someone because we don’t want to save them (eternal murder with malice). These premeditated actions of Christians remind me of the unreliable narrator in The Tell-Tale Heart, making elaborate justification for his act in madness. They are equally crazy.
“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” – Ephesians 4:25-27
If we can feel the malice forming in our minds, it is time to address the issue. Paul states that we should be humble, gentle, patient, and loving, especially with our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we have an issue, ghosting brothers and sisters in Christ is unacceptable and leads to malicious talk and actions. We must find them, and speak truth in love and hope for a unifying and peaceful resolution. Even further, when someone has an issue with us, we must abide by the same rules, seeking resolution and unity. The only defense we are ever to play is accounting for the hope we have and the confidence within us about our faith. (1 Pet 3:15)
Be careful, O Christian. Don’t let the sun go down with anger in your heart. It will turn into bitterness. It will turn into rage. It will turn into murder by the standards of Jesus Christ. Let’s conclude with this ending thought by Paul: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
-Aaron Winner
Reflection Questions
When was the last time you let the sun go down with anger in your heart? How could you have changed how you dealt with the problem?
What is the danger with anger?
Truthfully consider, is there an area where you lean toward malice? How would you go about getting rid of it? What would you replace it with? How?
There is no doubt that you have run across the word “pride” more times than usual these last couple of weeks. While we may not participate in the spirit of this month, it is hard to deny we love celebrating our identities and choices, because in essence, they become the composition of who we are, whether we like it or not. I am proud of the family I have made, the education I’ve earned, the garden I keep, and the poetry I write. Each of these things requires time, effort, energy, and dedication to make it beautiful. These are my efforts, my pride and joy. However, when I think of God, beginning with the incomparable way he makes the heavens and the earth, my feats are futile. We are lying to Heavenly Father and ourselves, if we come to any other emotion than humility.
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6
Yet too often we put our hope in the things that are fleeting or powers that are finite. When we depend on our power alone or put our faith in anything other than God, we will fall short. We have access to a God who stands outside of time and has infinite power, so why is it that we must be weaned off of seeking answers from a lesser source? It is pride. But aren’t we entitled to something for our efforts? The answer is yes – death! But by the grace of God, we do not receive it when we humble ourselves and ask for help from Jesus Christ, and then His Father takes over.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. – Psalm 131:2
Paul, a former Pharisee, clothes himself in humility. He realized that his accumulation of titles, his formal training, his status, and his education were a bogus bunch of accumulation; in fact, these things become his greatest humility when he states, “Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me; to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:9) It is when Paul submits to Jesus that he knows the full reach of the Gospel message. Paul decreases, Jesus increases, and the Kingdom of God grows by leaps and bounds with Gentiles receiving the Good News.
Let the message of pride be our call to humility. When we are asked to define who we are, put aside the usual string of things that are our pride and joy. Let our first answer be we are humbled before God, and that He is the source of all we have and do.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21
-Aaron Winner
Reflection Questions
What does it mean to have “(insert your name here) decrease and Jesus increase”? (based on words of John the Baptist – John 3:30) What would it look like? What would it sound like? What would be different from last week?
What are the things that you COULD take pride in? When is it good to remember God opposes the proud? How can you work at canning the pride and showing more humility?
Look at the prayers of Paul in Ephesians 3. Does this look like your current prayer list? What might you add to your list? If you don’t currently have a written list, give it a try, write it out and revisit it.
“Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.” Psalm 130:1-2
At the beginning of Ephesians 2, Paul terms the forces at work that draw us away and towards gratifying ourselves as the “Kingdom of the Air.” We hear the wind blowing from this kingdom as we see the work of countless groups that have formed today that are in direct opposition to God. While these groups follow different threads, they each perpetuate this idea that gratifying your desire is a higher form of living and leads to a more fulfilled life. This type of living isn’t enlightened; it is carnal. The “air” is hot and it stinks, so it’s no wonder that this advice leads to a lake of burning sulfur. Yet at some point, we all were residents here. However, with the waters of baptism, Christ moves us, sending an Uber (not a U-haul because our junk stays behind) and we have made our way out.
“If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” – Psalm 130:3,4
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:8-10
God doesn’t see our rap sheet, whether it extends feet or miles. He doesn’t care if we visited sin on the weekend, or if we had set up a mansion in the city center of a false kingdom. Those who declare Jesus as the Lord of their life are covered in marvelous grace that hides the stain of sin. This is not a one time deal, but a perpetual gift that will always outweigh our folly. Grace isn’t earned through righteous acts, but it is the free gift of God received when we acknowledge the trespass, transgression, and unrighteousness. We put to death the selfishness, and we become alive in Christ, ready to take on the mission which has been prepared by a loving Father.
“Israel, put your hope in the Lord for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.” – Psalm 130:7
Moreover, we are called to show grace to others. While we don’t live in the past, we should remind ourselves of where we once lived. We do so, not as a comparison, but to remind ourselves that we desperately need the grace of God, and additionally, have benefited from the grace extended by those who follow Him. Jesus addresses the issue of grace in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, as a response to Peter’s inquiry about how many times we should offer forgiveness (Matt 18:21-35). We cannot out love God. We cannot out forgive God. We cannot out grace God. Like our Heavenly Father, let the stories we tell not be about the trespass, but let it be about the grace that is greater than sin.
“In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21-22
-Aaron Winner
Reflection Questions
Make a little comparison chart – Old Life of Sin vs. New Life in Christ. Use Ephesians 2 and your own personal experience. What does each look like? Characteristics of each? Ruler of each? Future of each?
If you haven’t personally experienced new life in Christ yet, what is holding you back?
What does God’s gift of grace mean to you? Today, how will you thank God for this gift? How will you show God’s grace to another?
In the first Chapter of Ephesians, Paul spells out the significance of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the stipulation for the grace that we receive. Without his propitiation, we are without a promise. The role of Jesus in this plan isn’t singular, but multifaceted. The intention of Ephesians 1 isn’t to spell out distinctive theology; however, to understand salvation you must understand the Messiah. While this is not all-inclusive, here are some of the basics delivered to us in the beginning of this church’s letter:
1. Jesus is theSon of God. His Father is also His God. (1:3, 1:17)
In verse three and seventeen of this Chapter, Paul refers to the Heavenly Father as the God of Jesus. Wait. What?! Much of Christianity treats Jesus and God as synonyms. Paul makes this important distinction in this letter to show that the Father is who we petition and who gives. Jesus makes this clear repeatedly in the Gospels when he states that he does nothing by his own power and authority. (John 5:30; 8:28) However, through the faith and name of Jesus, we have an eternal subscription to God paid through the blood of the Son of God, but it is our Heavenly Father who pours out His Spirit to us and gives us wisdom and revelation to know GOD better; to walk in step with him, just as Christ did.(John 17:20-23)
2. Jesus is our Brother. (1:5, 1:11,12)
Paul makes it clear in Ephesians and Galatians that we are God’s adopted sons and daughters. The particular phrase in verse five, “adoption to sonship,” had a greater meaning in Roman context, and is similar to the legal adoption process we know today. This means that we receive all the rights and privileges, we are considered equal to a biological relative, and we now bear the surname of God. The inference then becomes we are the adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus, who, referring back to point one, is the Son of God. What then do we receive? The same inheritance as Christ: the Holy Spirit, resurrection, and the Kingdom of God.
3. Jesus is our Savior (1:7, 1:18,19)
.While this statement has been alluded to in the opening paragraph and the previous point, it is most important to note that Jesus is our Savior. Our inheritance would be null and void if not for the redemption of sin, which is a treasure in itself, a bounty of God’s grace. Jesus accomplished this through a life and death in accordance with God’s will. No more sacrifice is required because he became the fragrant offering. He is still saving us; his death is still washing away the stain of sin. He did save us once (Hebrews 7:27) but through the grace of God, saves us again and again through grace and repentance.
4. Jesus is Head of the Church. (1:22,23)
It is God who has appointed and placed the body of believers under the head of Jesus. Jesus is literally God’s right-hand man. It is Christ’s spirit, meaning his purpose and drive, that should be the same spirit of the Church. Who better to lead us than the one who experienced life in the same way as us? (Hebrews 4:15) Paul took direction from Jesus face-to-face, but we take direction from His life in the scriptures. In the same manner, let us proclaim the Kingdom of God and message of salvation in a similar fashion to Jesus; he has shown us how to live in this manner.
-Aaron Winner
Reflection Questions
What is significant about the relationship between God and Jesus? What jobs/positions does each hold? According to this passage, what is unique about each?
What do Christians miss out on when they use Jesus and God as synonyms?
What has Jesus done for you? Thank God for His Son Jesus and all he is to you.
Paul wrote the book of Ephesians to the saints in Ephesus while he was in jail in Rome.
In chapter one, Paul pointed out that it was God’s will “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.”
Chapter two starts out by reminding us that we were dead in our transgressions and sins, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. But because of God’s great love for us, God made us alive with Christ by grace. Paul then shared Ephesians 2:8-10, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”
Paul then pointed out that Gentiles had originally been excluded from citizenship in Israel – without access to Israel’s covenants and promises – without hope. But Jesus’s sacrifice abolished the law with its commandments and regulations, and reconciled not only Jews and Gentiles but also gave Jews and Gentiles peace with God.
Paul shared in 3:16-19, “I pray that out of his glorious riches, he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God.”
I love how Paul squashed “spiritual elitism” in 4:4-6, when he said, “There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Paul then went on to say that as Christians, we must live as new people, “Do 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. … Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God has forgiven you.”
And if this wasn’t hard enough, Paul went on to say, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us.”
In Ephesians 5, Paul showed that the marriage relationship is a beautiful reflection of the relationship between Christ and the church. The husband is supposed to be the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. And the husband should love his wife, and sacrifice himself for his wife – as Christ sacrificed himself for the church. In turn, the wife should submit to her husband – just like the church submits to Christ. (I am absolutely convinced that this is the only pattern to follow in order to be happily married.)
Paul closed the book of Ephesians with the warning that we’re in a battle against spiritual forces – so we need to put on the whole armor of God and stand firm.
In closing, I’d like to echo Paul’s words from Ephesians 1:17, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
Seek Grow Love 