Friday: Further Thought ~ Ephesians in the Heart
Further Thought:
We conclude by reflecting on Ephesians Chapter 6, where we discover that we, the church, are the peace-waging army of God.
In Ephesians, Paul has portrayed the church as the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:11-16), as God’s temple (Ephesians 2:19-22), and as the bride/wife of Christ (Ephesians 5:21-33).
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
In Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul describes the church as God’s army and offers a vigorous call to arms. It is a passage that offers much benefit and risks misunderstanding.
We could misunderstand Paul’s words as a call to take up military weapons or to be combative in our relationships with others. Paul, though, has been emphasizing unity, edifying speech, and tenderheartedness (see especially Ephesians 4:25-5:2). He describes God’s good news as “the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). Through this vivid military metaphor, the church is not exhorted to wage war in the traditional sense. Rather, we are to wage peace in the spiritual battle against evil. Paul steps onto the battlefield of the great controversy and calls us to enlist in God’s army.
We should do so with a realistic assessment of the enemy in view since it will never do to underestimate the forces arrayed against us. We don’t confront just human enemies but “spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV), led by a wily general, the devil (Ephesians 6:11). However, we need not be daunted by our enemies. God is present with us in the battle (Ephesians 6:10) and has supplied us with the finest of weaponry, His own armor, the “armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11; compare Isaiah 59:15-17). He has placed at our disposal truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Spirit (Ephesians 6:13-17). With God going before us and our being equipped from head to toe in the armor He has supplied, we cannot fail. Victory is assured.
Discussion Questions:
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We have come to the end of our study of Ephesians - a little pastoral epistle to a growing church developing its relationship with Jesus. He ends the letter with a little personal request for them to pray for him in his mission. He adds a personal note about their new pastor, and he finishes with a blessing.
Let us encourage one another. Its time to put these lessons into practice.
"we are to wage peace... against evil."
How do I offer peace to others? "My peace, I leave you," He said. Peace is the most effective weapon against the war evil continually stirs. Peace comes out of Love, and Love gives a different meaning to life. Love brings hope, and hope brings joy, and joy brings life! Abundant life is also a promise!
This lesson reaffirmed to me that we are on the right path! Does anyone have any other explanation for our redemption than that we have been called by God’s Grace to live by Faith according to His spiritual laws of Love and Grace as we live in the kingdom of our heavenly Father here on earth until we are called home?
All citizens of earthly kingdoms are called upon by their ruler(s) to follow established norms and guidelines. By having our life in Christ Jesus, we live in our heavenly Father’s spiritual kingdom first and foremost. It provides our new nature the structure to learn to live peaceable with our fellow man and is applicable in any country of this world.
The Architect of all life formulated the composition of the building blocks of His universal, spiritual foundation so perfectly that it will stand immutable through all ages.
For redeemed mankind, nothing will conquer us because the essence of our life is in His Spirit of Love and Truth and He will maintain us. God’s Resurrection Power will one day reunite all things in Christ – including them who have their life in Him.
The way I understand Ephesians 6:10-17 is a call to seek ye 1st the kingdom of God and all these things will be given to you. What are these things? They are not only sustenance, they are truth, righteousness, peace found in the gospel, faith, salvation, and the Holy Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Luke 20:31. Seek ye 1st the kingdom of God.
Matthew 6:33. Seek ye 1st the kingdom of God.
In closing this quarter I want to share these beautiful words that come from the pen of Ellen White. She tells us our reward for accepting, taking, using these things.
God's everlasting arm encircles the soul that turns to Him for aid, however feeble that soul may be. The precious things of the hills shall perish, but the soul that lives for God shall abide with Him. "The world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." 1 John 2:17. The city of God will open its golden gates to receive him who learned while on earth to lean on God for guidance and wisdom, for comfort and hope, amid loss and affliction. The songs of the angels will welcome him there, and for him the tree of life shall yield its fruit. "The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." Isaiah 54:10. Mount of Blessing 99.3 - MB 99.4
Remember 'the message' of Ephesians 2:7-10, God has us right where He wants us, His arm's encircling our soul, because we have turned to Him for aid. That aid can also be putting on the armor of God.
And may the Lord make our love for one another and for all people grow and overflow...
1 Thessalonians 3:12.
What if Eph 6:10-20 is not a call to battle, but a call to STAND (x3) in Christ’s power and victory (See 2 Chron 20:17, 2 Kings 6:15-17, Rom 8:39)? Did Christ overcome Satan, sin and death at the cross? Yes! That’s a battle we could never fight, let alone win!
So, “IN CHRIST” (used 40+ times in Ephesians) I can STAND in His victory - He is my Salvation (helmet), He is my Righteousness (breastplate), He is Truth (belt), He is my Peace (shoes, see 2:14), He is my Shield (faith is a gift), He is the Living Word (Sword)…I have been clothed in Christ! Is Paul, in Ephesians, trying to get us to realize Who Christ is, what He has accomplished, where He is, and who we therefore are in Christ and to stand firm in that reality? When we “see/get” His reality (1:18), the enemy doesn’t stand a chance (remember Goliath)!
BUT when we persist in disunity (us-and-them mentality), or get distracted and deceived, loosing focus of Christ, we may think we’re just fighting with each other (flesh and blood) but the reality is that we give the enemy access/permission (He is also limited by our freedom of choice).
When we get distracted by fighting a defeated foe, Satan is happy! How do we “resist the devil?” Submit to God (James 4:7). Paul is saying look to Christ! I have been clothed in Christ. He isn’t something I put on and take off every day (He doesn’t change), but because I don’t yet “see” who I am in Christ, I need to be reminded daily. Lord, open the eyes of my heart to see these realities (Eph 1:18)! Show me what I am holding on to that keeps me from seeing clearly🙏
“We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.” 1 John 5:18 NLT