We are blessed with every blessing in spiritual places (Eph. 1:3). If that is true, then why don’t most Christians see it? The reason is what I have already stated. We must draw out or appropriate those blessings, from the spiritual realm into the soulish realm where it benefits us in the here and now. Steve Wallace
Scripture
I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worship idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.
Observation
Paul had previously warned the Corinthians not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. He clarifies now that this was not about avoiding unbelievers who sin, but about those who claim to be believers but who continue to sin sexually, or are greedy, worship idols, are abusive, drink too much or cheat people.
It isn’t our responsibility to judge outsiders. God will do that. However, it is our responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. We must remove them from fellowship.
Application
We expect sinners to sin. It is the nature of sinners that they will sin. We would have to leave the world altogether to remain separate from such people. But, on the contrary, we should go out of our way to befriend people in order to lead them to Christ.
However, there is a special hardness of heart required to claim to be a follower of Christ, but still live in the old fleshly lifestyle of self- centred sin.
If a person is sinning regularly and consistently, then they are not following the way of Jesus and should not be a part of the fellowship.
There needs to be a process of discipline in the church whereby those who are living in a way that dishonours Christ are firstly shown the right way to live, but if this fails, they are excluded from the church.
This is hard, and needs to be done gently and with sensitivity. The aim must always be to restore to faith a person who has fallen.
Prayer
Lord, I thank you that your love never fails. Even when we sin, you still love us. Please help me to live a life of holy dedication to you. Amen.
What an awesome morning! Mild weather and no wind. Normally I am a bit lethargic on Mondays but today I averaged 25.4 km/hr. My long term average is 23. Is this the new normal? 😀
A huge part of our needed healing takes place from within, as we realign our thoughts with truth. Truth will drive out anything inferior and change our mental disposition from death to life. Steve Wallace
Here is my commentary on Ephesians 5:21 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 5:21
“Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
A note about topic headings in the Bible
Many Bible editions divide the text into paragraphs, and often have section headings. These items can be helpful, but we must always remember that they ( with the exception of the titles in the Psalms) are not a part of the divinely Inspired text.
In particular, the section heading at this point in some Bibles, especially the NIV, is very misleading. if there is a division to be made, this verse, verse 21, belongs with verse 22 and not with verse 20
The insertion of a section heading after verse 21 can cause readers to separate the general injunction to be subject to one another from the particular issues of submission in marriage. it is clear that Paul is not intending to give husbands freedom to reign over their wives, yet we make it that impression if we separate v. 21 from vs 22 to 33 .
To be subject (or to submit) to another person is to acknowledge that they have desires, needs, priorities that are different to our own. We recognise this in the workplace where many of us are required to subject ourselves to rules, policies, procedures, and directions. We may not always see why we have to do certain things or to do them in a particular way, but for the sake of a paycheck we submit.
Paul is telling us that in the church we must all submit to one another. This does not mean that the church should not have leaders who can direct the people. As an apostle, Paul was constantly giving advice and direction.
To build up community, a family in which every person is accepted and loved, every member of the family has to be aware of the needs of each other. We all have to be prepared to make compromises, and to pay attention to others.
This is the practical outworking of the command to “love one another.” In loving another person, I prioritise the other in the belief that this will bring them joy. There is no “ quid pro quo” or demand for some form of payment.
To be subject to others means that we place others’ needs above our own, seeking to express love for one another in the practicalities of live together.
For leaders- apostles, elders, pastors, etc- there is a particular responsibility to lead expressly for the sake of those who are the least or the weakest in the kingdom. Jesus told us that leaders must serve and not lord it over their followers (see Luke 22:25-27).
Our submission to one another must be in the right context. People can be subject to leaders or to other people for all kinds of reasons. Paul tells us our submission must be from “ reverence for Christ”.
The Greek word here is phobos which means fear. The concept of fear of Christ or fear of God is often misunderstood. We think of fear as a kind of terror or dread. We fear things or people that have the capacity to destroy us or harm us.
God certainly has the power. He chooses not to destroy us because he loves us. We know that if we choose to rebel against him, He will punish us. We submit to God because His love rules us, and His wrath repels us from sim.
Our holy fear of Christ (or reverence) should direct us to be subject to others in the church. We love others because Christ has commanded it. We submit to others for the same reason. How could we do other than to obey our King?
The church is meant to be a holy community in which all members are connected by love for Christ and for one another. It must never be allowed to become a consumer-driven institution where people come and pay a fee to be entertained or spiritually enlightened.
Because we have all died in Christ, we are in no position to demand anything from others. Our only consistent relationship with others is to submit to one another.
