Thursday: Human Relationships in Christ
Christianity is a religion of relationships: relationship with God and with one another. It makes no sense to claim to have a deep relationship with God without that relationship having an impact on the relationships one has with other people. Christianity cannot be lived in a vacuum. The principles of unity Paul discusses in his Epistle to the Ephesians also are applicable to how we relate to others.
Read Ephesians 5:15-21. What is Paul saying to us in verse 21? What is the relationship between submission and unity?
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Paul’s exhortation to be submitted to one another is connected with the phrase being “filled with the Spirit” in Eph. 5:18. One of the expressions of the infilling of the Spirit is submission to one another. This refers to the proper attitude of humility and thoughtfulness that we should have toward people. Of course, this is not a natural attribute of most personalities but is the result of the Spirit’s living in our hearts. It is a gift of the same Spirit, who is the bond of unity in Christ. Viewed from this perspective, submission is an inner quality that expresses our reverence for Christ and His sacrifice for us.
Read Ephesians 5:22-6:9. What impact on our human relationship does this quality of mutual submission have in the home and workplace of a believer in Christ?
To some extent, unity in the church depends upon unity in the home. Paul emphasized that the unity, love, and respect that should exist between husband and wife should exemplify the love of Christ toward the church, a self-sacrificing love. Thus, Christlike respect in the home as well as in the church is required of husbands and wives and church members. This Christlike attribute is also to be exemplified in relationships between children and parents and between employees and employers (bondservants and masters). The kind of harmony and peacefulness that should pervade our homes should pervade our church life, as well.
What principles can you take from the verses for today that can help you better understand how you should act (depending upon your situation) toward a member of your family or a coworker? |
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This is so deep an explanation that us as Christians take for granted. It is not about how social you are but what you really are deep down your heart. Do you do things through Christ who constraineth you?
This study missed the opportunity to emphasize that mutual submission comes before and is the base for the other instructions for submission. This is key, because in our self-centered reading we often focus on how others ought to submit to us. Therefore men often only see, “wives submit to your husband” they overlook the verse 21 that says “submit to one another in the fear of God”. This cause some husbands and some cultures to believe submission is a one way street.
Totally agree Errol Eph 5:21 says quite plainly, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ". The heart of a servant and put first the needs of others. Then Paul turns his attention to the family,further on in Ephesians, which is the building block of a healthy society. Then gives three examples of how submission works in real life for wives, husbands and kids Men, women and children have different needs, so Paul explains how to honor and affirm each of them differently. Children need instruction. Women need to feel cherished. Men need to lead. Submission is all about putting the needs of other members of your family ahead of your own. But today's culture doesn't place a high value on others.
"Human Relationships in Christ"- now that we are in Christ, how do we relate to others?
It first starts with the vertical relationship - if I get it right with God, then the horizontal relationship -
with those around me follows automatically.
True submission is as a result of our relationship with God.
Recall the instructions:
Love thy neighbour as thy self.
Treat others above yourself
They will know you are Christ's if you love one another.
Through relating we also express our unity.
Therefore through our relationships we profess our Christianity.
This set of verses for today's lesson could be summed up by the words of Jesus who taught: “Blessed are the meek...the pure in heart...the peacemakers”. In the community of the church, there are no lords or those who should demand obedience, except to the revealed will of God. Departures from this revealed will must be addressed as Jesus taught, yet it will be in the spirit of meekness by those who are spiritual, who themselves are prone to the frailty of being of this fallen race.
In every relationship, the example of Jesus will be profitable to follow.