If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with Intro [1] and then continue in order.
This is in answer to Ephesians in Review at the end of
Ephesians 6:10-24 THE LAST ONE!!! [23].
This study of Ephesians has been so rich for me. It was one of my favorite books of the Bible before I started, but I love it even more and understand it even better now. It has also amazed me how many opportunities God has given me to share from my time studying it. It seems like Ephesians relates to EVERYTHING!
1) When I started studying Ephesians this time, I was struck by the theme of unity. I found that it was all over the place, even when the word itself was not used (for more on unity, see my post, Unity Through and Through - Thoughts on Ephesians 4:1-16 [16]). I was happy to receive confirmation of that when I read one of my pastor's sermons, and he said that unity was the main theme of Ephesians: "to unite all things in [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth." Eph 1:10. This unity is seen in God first reconciling us to Himself, and then reconciling us to each other (Ephesians 2).
But our theology is never independent of our practice. Our theology drives our practice. So as I began to see how big this concept of unity is, I was convicted especially when I studied Eph 4. "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Am I really "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace"? And as I asked that question, God began to show me ways that I was not. And I had to start asking myself the question, "Is this really worth upsetting the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?" when I didn't like how something was done during the worship time, or when I realized I had a bad attitude towards another beliver. And honestly, as I'm writing this I'm realizing that I thought more about Satan trying to destroy the unity in the church, but I also need to think about if I am eager to maintain that unity in my own home!
2) The first question was asking about what we learned about God, and the second question was about things we were challenged by, how we may live differently in light of our study of Ephesians. One thing that keeps coming up for me is the challenge of Ephesians 4:25, "25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." (ESV)
I mentioned in a previous blog (Words, Words, Words!!!) that I was challenged by my pastor's notes when he pointed out that laying aside falsehood means that every word we say should match what is in our hearts. After this, someone in our church asked my how I was doing, and I was not doing well, but responded with the expected "Fine". Previously I would have not thought twice about this. But I ended up going back to her later and told her that I had not been doing well that day, she showed concern and asked if she could pray for me. I was so blessed! I am trying to make sure that my words match my heart, and that I am really being honest when I say things.
This is in answer to Ephesians in Review at the end of
Ephesians 6:10-24 THE LAST ONE!!! [23].
This study of Ephesians has been so rich for me. It was one of my favorite books of the Bible before I started, but I love it even more and understand it even better now. It has also amazed me how many opportunities God has given me to share from my time studying it. It seems like Ephesians relates to EVERYTHING!
1) When I started studying Ephesians this time, I was struck by the theme of unity. I found that it was all over the place, even when the word itself was not used (for more on unity, see my post, Unity Through and Through - Thoughts on Ephesians 4:1-16 [16]). I was happy to receive confirmation of that when I read one of my pastor's sermons, and he said that unity was the main theme of Ephesians: "to unite all things in [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth." Eph 1:10. This unity is seen in God first reconciling us to Himself, and then reconciling us to each other (Ephesians 2).
But our theology is never independent of our practice. Our theology drives our practice. So as I began to see how big this concept of unity is, I was convicted especially when I studied Eph 4. "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Am I really "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace"? And as I asked that question, God began to show me ways that I was not. And I had to start asking myself the question, "Is this really worth upsetting the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?" when I didn't like how something was done during the worship time, or when I realized I had a bad attitude towards another beliver. And honestly, as I'm writing this I'm realizing that I thought more about Satan trying to destroy the unity in the church, but I also need to think about if I am eager to maintain that unity in my own home!
2) The first question was asking about what we learned about God, and the second question was about things we were challenged by, how we may live differently in light of our study of Ephesians. One thing that keeps coming up for me is the challenge of Ephesians 4:25, "25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." (ESV)
I mentioned in a previous blog (Words, Words, Words!!!) that I was challenged by my pastor's notes when he pointed out that laying aside falsehood means that every word we say should match what is in our hearts. After this, someone in our church asked my how I was doing, and I was not doing well, but responded with the expected "Fine". Previously I would have not thought twice about this. But I ended up going back to her later and told her that I had not been doing well that day, she showed concern and asked if she could pray for me. I was so blessed! I am trying to make sure that my words match my heart, and that I am really being honest when I say things.
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