Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Ephesians 4: 1-2 and following. In fact, the apostle says: “I have made no reservations in telling you all of God’s plan. So, take care of yourselves…”. This word of Paul to the elders of Ephesus (Acts 20: 26-32) corresponds to the two divisions of the letter to the Ephesians. In fact, the apostle has just explained the marvelous divine plan. “So, I urge you…” he continues, showing which step corresponds to such a high call. What should characterize it in the first place is the reverse of a spirit of superiority: humility with the gentleness and support of love, in the bond of peace. According to the hope of one calling, one Spirit unites the members of one Body (but men have founded many churches, each with its own members). Under the authority of one Lord, only one Christian faith is taught and one baptism confers Christian name and responsibility. Finally, one God and Father, from whom everything and all proceed, has his divine rights over us.
The Lord as a glorified man ascended above all the heavens after descending into death. He now distributes to his own the many gifts of his grace. Is it to Him that we are subject? Most young people are in a hurry to access the privileges of adults. On the other hand, it is equal to them to prolong, sometimes all their life, an infantile spiritual state. The harmonious growth of this body of Christ of which we are a part results from the development of each believer. It is in Jesus that the “accomplished man” attains his full stature. Christ in Him is a “fullness” (1 Jn 2: 12-17). In contrast, the little child, failing to be established in the truth, remains receptive to all errors. A very dangerous state, because we see in what moral and spiritual darkness the world is plunged by the ignorance of God (Eph 4: 17-19). We who have been taught according to the truth that is in Jesus show by our conduct how we have “learned of Christ” (Eph 4:20). Our doctrine, or rather our way of living, is a Person, and Christ is learned. Let’s study it a lot and live it.
As we leave one garment for another, we have rejected the old man and put on the new man (Eph 4: 22-24). Someone’s clothing does not go unnoticed. What is ours in the eyes of all? The dirty clothes of the old man or some moral resemblance to the Lord Jesus (Acts 4: 11-14)? It is truly sad that to people who are seated in heavenly places, God is obligated to make such elementary recommendations: do not lie… do not steal… do not get drunk (Eph 5: 18-21)… But He knows to what our poor carnal hearts are capable of, and the Devil, who also knows this, will not miss any of the opportunities we offer him (Eph 4:27).
Note that each exhortation is accompanied by a lofty and touching motive. Because the three divine Persons are interested in it: 1) The Holy Spirit is in us; let us be careful not to grieve him (Eph 4:30). 2) We are the beloved children of God, and our Father, who is the God of love, desires to see his likeness in us (Eph 5.1). “Using grace among yourselves, as also God, in Christ, used grace toward you” (Eph 4:32). This goes further than the prayer taught to Jewish disciples: “Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive all those who owe us…” (Luke 11.1-4). 3) Jesus Himself is our Model (Jn 13.12-17). He taught us love by loving us until death (1 Jn 3: 14-18). However, let us never forget, it is to God first of all that He offered Himself in perfect sacrifice, in an infinitely pleasant smell.
For Paul, in a few words, has placed before us the call of the Christian in his elevation and fullness according to the thoughts and words of God. Moreover, this call has been deployed before us, not only in its relations with each of us individually, but also in what concerns us all together collectively or as an assembly. Now comes a general exhortation covering all the more detailed exhortations with which the remaining chapters are filled. The apostle knew very well that it is not enough to give general instructions, but that it is also necessary to deal with those very intimate and unambiguous details, which reach all hearts and consciences. Let those who speak the Word today heed this, and be as wise and courageous as the apostle.
Among men we see the tendency for love to degenerate into a kind of soft kindness which ends up making excuses for all sorts of far from righteous things. This is not to be the case among the saints, for a definite standard is set before us.
For we have first the oneness of the body of Christ, consisting of all the saints of this dispensation. This body was formed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and all the members of this body share one calling, which is common to them, and which has one hope in view. Nothing unreal goes into this body. Everything is vital here in the life and energy of the Spirit. Then we have the Lord, and the faith and baptism related to him. Oneness is marked on those things related to the Lord, likewise to all that is related with the Spirit (although some may profess the faith and accept baptism), and then turn away to be nothing more than simple teachers. Further, we come to God the Father, and here again the oneness is emphasized to us because we all find our origin in Him. And furthermore, although He is above everything and everywhere, He is in all of us.
In these seven units is found the foundation and support of the oneness of Spirit, which we are responsible for keeping. It is supported in this sevenfold way which is a clear testimony to its importance, as also to our weakness to keep it. We are one by virtue of the presence and action of the Spirit of God. We may fail to keep oneness, yet oneness does not cease to exist, for it subsists in the energy of God. On the other hand, if we fail to keep it, we are big losers, and God’s testimony suffers. The so divided state of God’s people proclaims how grieving we have been lacking in this regard, and it very much explains the weakness, and lack of intelligence and spiritual stamina that prevail.
Every Spirit-filled believer is necessarily filled with Christ, and therefore Christ is discovered in him. If we are filled with Christ, we manifest His character. The day is coming when Christ will fill all things, and therefore all things will manifest Him and His glory. Prophets are men raised up to speak on behalf of God, transmitting His thoughts – whether they do so by inspiration as in the early days of the church, or not. Evangelists are those who spread to the world the great message which, when received, serves to save men from the power of the enemy. Pastors and doctors (teachers) are those who are qualified to instruct believers in revealed truth, and to apply it to their present condition, so that they are nourished and kept in spiritual growth and health.
No one can be a pastor well without doing a little teaching, but it is possible for a very gifted man to concentrate on teaching so much that he never cares about acting as a shepherd; in practice this turns out to be very damaging both for him and for his listeners. The work of minister [one who exercises a gift] must continue, and so the body must be edified. All of this must continue until God’s purpose for the body is brought to completion. In the meantime, the donations remain. Recall that in this passage the gifts are not exactly powers conferred, but rather the men who possess those powers and are conferred as gifts on the church. The inspired apostles and prophets subsist in the scriptures that have come down to us by their quill. Uninspired prophets, along with evangelists and pastors and teachers, are still in the church today.
God’s purpose in relation to the gifts is that we are characterized by spiritual growth, so that instead of being tossed around like an anchor-less ship, at the mercy of false teachers, we can stand firm. truth in love, and that we grow more and more in conformity with Him who is our head. And these goals are either final or immediate, very great and very worthy of God. If we take them into account, we will not be surprised that in view of them Christ ascended into heaven has poured out these special gifts. For it is very important that we keep this in mind, otherwise we easily fall into a way of thinking that the general good and the spiritual prosperity of the church as a whole depends on the actions and service of men who have gifts, and therefore when the state of affairs is poor and weak, or things go downright awry, we can conveniently absolve ourselves of all responsibility and blame, leaving it all on the backs of the gifts.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and put together for your better understanding.
Building the body of Christ in unity and in love:
• Call of Christians
1 Cor 1.26 Consider, brethren, that among you who are called there are neither many wise men according to the flesh, nor many powerful, nor many nobles. Eph 1:18 and may he enlighten the eyes of your heart, so that you may know what hope is attached to his call, how rich is the glory of his inheritance which he reserves for the saints; Eph 4.1 So I beseech you, the prisoner in the Lord, to walk in a way worthy of the calling which has been addressed to you; Phil 3:14 I run towards the goal, to win the prize of the celestial vocation of God in Jesus Christ. 1 Th 2.12 exhorting you, consoling you, conjuring you to walk worthy of God, who calls you to his kingdom and to his glory. 2 Th 2:14 To what he called you through our gospel, that you might have the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Tim 1.9 by the power of God, who saved us, and gave us a holy calling, not because of our works, but according to his own purpose, and according to the grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before ever eternal times ; Hb 3.1 Therefore, holy brethren, who share in the heavenly calling, consider the apostle and the high priest of the faith whom we profess; 1 P 5.10 The God of all grace, who called you in Christ Jesus to his everlasting glory, after you have suffered a little while, he himself will perfect you, and establish you, and strengthen you, and make you steadfast. 2 P 1.10 This is why, brothers, apply yourselves all the more to strengthening your vocation and your election; because by doing this you will never flinch.
• Peace must be cultivated in the Church
1 Cor 14.33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the Churches of the Saints; 2 Cor 13.11 For the rest, brethren, be in joy, perfect yourselves, be comforted, have one feeling, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Eph 4.3 striving to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Phil 4.2 I exhort Evodie and I exhort Syntyche to be of the same feeling in the Lord. 1 Thess 5:13 Be very fond of them because of their work. Be at peace between yourselves. 2 Tim 2.22 Flee from the passions of youth, and seek righteousness, and faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.
• Diversity of gifts from God to men
Mt 25.15 He gave five talents to the one, two to the other, and one to the third, to each according to his ability, and he departed. Rom 12.6 Since we have different gifts, according to the grace which has been granted to us, let him that has the gift of prophecy exercise it according to the analogy of faith; 1 Co 4.7 For who is it that distinguishes you? What do you have that you haven’t received? And if you have received it, why do you glorify yourself, as if you had not received it? 1 Cor 12.4 There are many gifts, but the same Spirit; Eph 4:11 And he gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers,
• Spiritual maturity, how it is acquired:
-By leaving childish things 1 Cor 13.1 When I speak the languages of men and angels, if I do not have charity, I am a resonating brass, or a resounding cymbal.
-By cultivating intelligence 1 Cor 14.20 Brothers, do not be children when it comes to judgment; but for mischief, be children, and, with regard to judgment, be grown men.
-In striving to imitate Christ Eph 4:13, 15 until we have all come to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, made man, measure of the perfect stature of Christ, 15 but that, professing the truth in love, we grow in all respects in him who is Head, Christ.
-By receiving the deeper truths of the Gospel Hb 5:14 But solid food is for mature men, for those whose judgment is exercised by use to discern what is good and what is bad.
-By resisting temptation 1 Jn 2.14 I have written to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.
From all of the above, we note that what we have learned therefore concerns three things: the first has to do with robbing the old man, who is entirely corrupt; the second relates to the complete renewal of the spirit of our understanding; and the third has to do with putting on the new man who is wholly after God. The apostle goes on to point out particular manifestations of the old man that we have to strip away. Because the old man has been stripped, we have to strip all of his characters in detail. The apostle begins with the lie which must be cast aside in favor of the truth. The previous verse had mentioned the holiness of truth as marking the new man, so we have to strip away the lie that characterizes the old man. In addition, anger, theft, dishonest words, and all similar evils of the tongue are to be removed, and we are to be characterized by kindness and forgiveness. We have to forgive others as we have been forgiven ourselves. At the end of the day, we not only have what we have to take away, but what we have to put on. Not the lie, but the truth. Not to steal, but to work to have something to give to others. Not corrupted language, but words of grace and edification. Not anger and bitterness and screaming, but kindness and forgiveness. And all this for the grace that God has shown us for Christ’s sake, and for the indwelling of the Spirit of God. For we are sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of our redemption of our bodies and of all inheritance purchased by the blood of Christ. He will not leave us, but He is very sensitive to holiness. We can easily grieve Him, and as a result waste the happy experiences that result from His presence for a while. May God help us to take these practical instructions very seriously, so that we do not walk like the world, but in righteousness, holiness and truth. Our prayers are with you all there.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in truth, to pray the following with me:
Lord Jesus, I have walked the lusts of the world for a long time ignoring your love for humans. I recognize that I have sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give my life to you, taking you as my personal Lord and Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to the eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and my faith, so that your light shines in my life from now on.
Thank you, Lord Jesus for accepting me into your divine family, so that I can also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterhole to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Yours is all the worship, the power and the glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to your questions and possible comments, before sharing with you tomorrow on “mutual duties between husband and wife.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.