A very significant percentage of the central nervous system is directly and indirectly activated in the process of extended verbal and musical prayer over a period of time. This results in a significant release of brain hormones which, in turn, increases the body’s general immunity. It is further enhanced through joyful laughter. Mark Virkler
Surrender to God! Resist the devil, and he will run from you. James 4:7 CEV https://bible.com/bible/392/jas.4.7.CEV
Here is my commentary on Ephesians 4:15. I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au
Ephesians 4:15
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we shall in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ.”
Instead of being immature children blown away by every wind of doctrine and the schemes of deceitful people, we are to grow up in love and into the Head of the Body, that is Christ.
“Speaking the truth in love” should not be seen as an excuse for gossip or for confrontations based on self-righteousness, as some suppose. It is not the biblical equivalent of “tough love” which gives us an excuse to tell people exactly what we think of them “in love.”
The phrase “in love” occurs repeatedly in Ephesians as a kind of refrain. In fact, Paul uses it in the very next verse when talking about how the body of Christ grows, with every part building itself in love.
We should note that the phrase “in love” has nothing to do with romance. The word for love is again agape which refers to the love that comes from God.
To speak the truth in love means that love is our motivation before we even speak. The love of God should so constrain us that we seek to build one another up always. Mostly this will involve listening and acting for one another. Sometimes, it may involve speaking words of edification, comfort, and exhortation.
Speaking in love means that we use our words to build up, not to tear down. The world is full of destructive and critical words, and the church does not need to add to them.
That does not mean that we never speak the truth. Speaking the truth in love Is In distinct opposition to “the cunning and craftiness of men and in their deceitful scheming” in the previous verse.
There will be times when we have to speak uncomfortable truth to those who are deceitful or deceived. Those who seek to use the church to further their own personal agendas must be called to account. Even then, we must ensure that we do this in love.
Church discipline is a process of drawing an offender back into the grace of Christ. The love of God must always be the dominant feature of such processes.
The requirement to speak the truth in love applies to those who proclaim the gospel and to those who teach the church. It is possible to preach truth in such a way that it leaves the hearers condemned and further from God than before we started. We must preach the truth of God’s word always in the context of the love of God.
As we speak the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ.
Christ is the perfect example of love and truth dwelling together without contradiction. As we learn to both love and proclaim truth we will grow into Him.
This is a truth for individuals, but also for the church. The congregation of Gods people, the ekklesia, models Christ when it lives both truthfully and lovingly. We love one another and speak words of truth to one another. Christ will mature us as we grow in both love and truth.
To grow up into Christ means that we become like Him in all things. This Is what It means to be a follower or a disciple of Jesus. We walk behind Him, we imitate Him, and we become like Him or grow up into Him .
This has to be in “all things”, otherwise we become lopsided. Jesus, the Son of Man, was perfect in all that He did. To follow Jesus means that we imitate Him in all things. Although our natural temperament makes it easier to imitate Jesus in some ways more than others, to be like Jesus we must mature in all things .
The discipline of the Lord, the study of the Word, prayer, and the fellowship of the church, all help to correct us in the parts of our lives that are out of divine order.
The church needs the ministry of the five- fold gifts to nurture this maturity in all things. The offices of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher bring different perspectives so that the church may grow in all things.
The church has the responsibility to both hear the ministry gifts, and to ensure that others with these gifts are nurtured and matured. In this way it grows in all things into its head, that is Christ.
Scripture
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can kill both body and soul in hell.”
Observation
Jesus tells us not to be afraid of people. We are to proclaim from the rooftops that which He whispers in our ears.
We must not fear people for they can only destroy our body. Rather, we must fear God who can destroy both body and soul in hell.
Whoever acknowledges Jesus before men He will acknowledge before the Father. Whoever disowns Jesus before men He will disown before the Father.
Application
We should not be afraid of people. They can only end our mortal life. They have no power over our immortal soul and our eternal life.
Many christians are paralysed by fear of rejection. They will not talk to their unbelieving friends because they are afraid of their reaction.
In many countries, it is potentially deadly to be identified as a christian. Persecution from government or village leaders, or family members can result in isolation, imprisonment, or death.
The cost of following Jesus is very real.
The cost of not following Jesus is far greater, because it costs us our salvation.
Better to suffer a little while at the hands of people than to suffer for eternity.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you warn us to not fear people. Please help me to entrust everything to you so that fear has no hold over me. Amen.
Speaking in tongues is a way for our spirits to worship God freely, unhindered by the limitations of our minds. Mark Virkler
I ask only one thing, Lord : Let me live in your house every day of my life to see how wonderful you are and to pray in your temple. Psalms 27:4 CEV https://bible.com/verse-of-the-day/psa.27.4/9141
A long time ago, in what now seems like a galaxy far away, the general consensus was that the only appropriate context for sexual activity was within marriage defined as one man and one woman committing themselves to each other for life. This viewpoint was derived from the Bible and 2000 years of christian tradition.
Marriage provided a safe place for people who loved each other to engage in sex acts in an atmosphere of mutual respect. “Consent” could be negotiated by partners who knew each other intimately and were committed to pleasing one another. Marriage also provided a safe place for children to be raised, which was important because in those days sex and reproduction were hard to separate.
The system was not perfect as people were involved. Rape was an uncommon but real crime and generally despised by the public. Domestic violence was a reality that marred some marriages. People were unfaithful at times, and divorce on these grounds occurred.
Then in the 1960’s came the birth control pill and the Sexual Revolution. Sexual activity was divorced from childbirth and also from marriage. More diverse forms of sexual expression came to be tolerated and “no fault” divorce became all the rage, leading to much higher rates of marriage breakdown.
Sixty years on, we have a very weak institution of marriage being constantly undermined to accommodate same sex marriage and threesomes.
More worrying, but entirely predictable, we have people opining about the issue of consent in sexual encounters. Self-styled “experts” claim that consent must be enthusiastic at every stage of the process. If you so much as look at a person without this consent you can be accused of harassment or assault.
The NSW Police Commissioner suggested a phone app whereby people can register their agreement before hand, only to be shot down by the feminists who claim it was just a patriarchal ploy to continue the repression of women. What happens if “Yes” changes to “No” part way? If you are playing with your phone prior to sex, you might as well just cut all the risk and go straight to the porn sites.
Men have their reputations trashed by people alleging unwanted sexual approaches that took place decades before. Even the death of a complainant years ago is not enough to stop the outrage and the name calling.
We don’t need consent apps and education in primary schools. We don’t need culture change in Parliament or diversity training in corporations.
Just one simple rule will fix it: if you are not married to a person you don’t have sex with them, kiss them, touch them or do anything remotely sexual with them.
An additional rule would be: you love your spouse with all your body, mind and soul until death parts you. Those words you spoke at the altar are supposed to be a binding life-long promise.
If society honoured marriage, practised the “sanctity” of marriage and taught children and youth to do likewise, many of the scandals and problems that keep cropping up would be done away with.
This is another area where God’s intention for people works out a lot better than the wisdom of mere humans.
Scripture
“When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking – it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
Observation
Jesus sends His followers out like sheep among wolves. They will need to be shrewd like snakes and as gentle as doves.
They will be handed over to courts and flogged. But this will be an opportunity to tell the rulers about Jesus. They should not worry about what to say because God will tell them the words to speak.
Family members will betray them, and nations will hate them. Everyone who endures to the end will be saved.
Application
Persecution is always a possibility for christians. Even in the relatively benign Christendom cultures, we see a growing seizure of power by governments and the use of that power against people who question the prevailing ideology.
Covid has been the perfect opportunity for politicians to offer “salvation” to terrified voters. Lockdowns and border restrictions once considered unthinkable became reality.
Pastors who refused to abide by restrictions that forbade church meetings but allowed casinos to operate, found themselves before courts and even imprisoned.
In all of this, we do not have to be anxious about how we will conduct ourselves in court. A trial is a great opportunity to speak of Jesus. Prison ministry can be very rewarding.
When we are under pressure from state, employers or neighbours, we can be sure that the Holy Spirit will speak through us. We can be sure also that the Lord will direct our paths, even through unpleasant trials.
Prayer
Thank you Father for the assurance that you will never leave me. I pray for my nation Lord- please send revival so that every knee will bow before you. Amen.
New Life Narrabri 