Ephesians 6

Ephesians 6:2

Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise)

Earlier this year, I read a book that brought up the difference that can appear between honor and honesty.  Many people, including myself can choose to be dishonest, or less-than-honest by omission, in order to maintain the appearance of honor.  We fear that if we were truly honest, it would hurt or dishonor them.

The book makes the argument that for this division to appear, there had to have been some event in the past where you decided it was better to lie and let them maintain their belief that everything was okay, when it was not.  I don't know exactly when that happened for me, but I can see that it did.  Given that I'm going to be seeing my parents in a couple days, I've been wrestling with how much honesty to give them, and I don't have a good answer yet.

Ephesians 5

Ephesians 5:17

So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Understanding the will of God is not as simple as is seems.  I mean, the big stuff is easy, the basic "rules" of being a Christian.  But that only covers part of God's will.

What does God specifically want me to be doing?  In what areas am I going the wrong way, or not moving when I should be?  Those are the kinds of questions that make me wrestle with how I'm living my life, and I honestly don't think that all of them are being answered well right now.

Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:26

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

This verse is one I have to give some thought to right now.  My company is in the middle of advocating LGBT rights this month, which is an activity strongly condemned by the Bible.  The company claims to respect differing beliefs, but in the next sentence says they're advocating for acceptance.

So, what is the proper response?  Do I keep quiet, and possibly give the impression I at least don't oppose it, or maybe even agree?  Or do I say my peace, let it go, and let the chips fall where they may?

Ephesians 3

Ephesians 3:6

to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

First, we all should thank God for this grace.  He didn't have to make salvation possible for Gentiles.  For that matter, He didn't have to make it possible for Jews, either.  But He chose to do so, and we all must be eternally thankful for that.

Second, this truth Paul learned gave him a distinct purpose from the other apostles whose paths we have hard records of.  Some like Peter may have occasionally ministered to the Gentiles, but Paul is the only one we know of who made it his primary target audience.  Without this, the gospel might have never reached most of those saved since.

Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2:22

in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

I have a little experience with building, from volunteer projects over the years.  It tends to be a messy process, since what's happening to us is more of a rebuilding, where first the bad stuff has to be cleared away.  This part takes a lot of energy, but is more satisfying; spiritually, it's not nearly as satisfying, as the parts that have to be taken away are removed by force, and it hurts a lot.

However, the real work begins then; once you're down to the foundation, then proper building starts.  That's a very long, drawn-out process, and requires skilled workers to do the job properly.  I'm honestly not sure I've even gotten to this place, as I feel like there is still a lot of rotting wood to demolish in my own life.

Ephesians 1

Ephesians 1:18

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.

I had to read it twice, but this verse jabbed at me.  For a while now, I've understood that I've lost hope, that I don't see a better future.  I look back at all the mistakes I've made, all the ways my hopes for life have gone unfulfilled, and I just don't see any improvement ahead.

However, verses like this need to remind me that the hope doesn't come from me.  It's not something that I can generate on my own.  It has to come through God's work in and around me, but I have to be open to that work.  And it may still be true that in this life things don't improve; I need to be willing to accept that, and remember that the life beyond is the real goal.

Galatians 6

Galatians 6:5

For each one will bear his own load.

 Normally, I try to avoid bringing other verses into consideration for this writing, but this kind of confuses me.  A couple verses earlier, Paul instructs us to bear one another's burdens.  Then here he says that each will bear their own load.

Is there something in the terms used that distinguishes the two?  Or are the verses in between giving some kind of context, regarding self-examination?  Perhaps there is a change of topic between verses 2 and 3, where 1 & 2 are about restoring and supporting one another, and 4-6 are about being honest with oneself about what you have done and what others (like Jesus?) have done for you.

Galatians 5

Galatians 5:2

Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.

There are many Christians today that circumcise their sons, including my parents.  As I understand it, the point is to honor the spiritual kinship to the Jews.  I'm not sure I agree with the idea, but I didn't exactly have a vote when it was done to me.

The reason some of the Galatians were circumcising, as adults, was to obey the Law.  They were seeking salvation through the Law, as some and incorrectly taught them.  But now by going down that path, they were saying that Christ's salvation wasn't enough for them, and something else was required on top of it.  We do the same today, just with different mechanisms.

Galatians 4

Galatians 4:9

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?

Interesting that Paul clarifies that it isn't that we know God, but that God knows us.  The distinction is subtle and confusing, but important.  If we came to know God, then it's again all about us, and a salvation of works.  But with God coming to know us, once Christ's blood has made us knowable to Him, He is the one doing the work to save us.

At the same time, I definitely can relate to the Galatians here.  I too have backslid in many ways from what I was taught (and know) to be right.  Yet I still turn back to those bad ways, because they're all I know and they (superficially) work.  I see it's not the right way to go, but I don't see any destination in the right way to strive toward; only an arduous journey that's not worth the effort.

Galatians 3

Galatians 3:21

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God?  May it never be!  For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.

We Christians, like everyone else, like to live by a code.  In our case, that code is spelled out in some detail, though not as much as many of us want.  The Jewish Law, however, is a much more detailed and strict code than we live by.

Even with this strictness, it wasn't enough.  The Law couldn't take away our sins, it merely made them aware of those sins, and pointed to the need for a Savior.  In this, God is being completely consistent, as He always is.

Galatians 2

Galatians 2:2

It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

Paul's timidity here surprises me.  He says, flat out, that he was preaching the message he had received from a revelation.  So why is he so fearful that it might all be in vain?

Two options spring to mind.  First, the revelation was to go seek confirmation, and his preaching the Gospel had been more his own idea, or so he thought.  Second, he feared that even though the Gospel was true, that the Gentiles were barred from truly receiving it, and therefore preaching to them would have been futile.  Fortunately for us, that futility was an empty fear.