Do We Really Believe This?

Ephesians 2:18 is a remarkable verse when we really think about what it means!  I have heard many quote this 'access stuff' often. I've heard it quoted in churches, conversations, small group gatherings, families and read it in books.

The living of this thinking is actually less often seen.  It is an amazing concept and privilege. We should repeat it over and over and plaster it everywhere. This verse represents security, confidence, boldness, peace, freedom, power, satisfaction, soundness and ultimately the real kind of love! It eradicates blame, false judgment, shame, angst, conflict, dissonance, the stinky kind of pride, arrogance and any other type of controlling behavior that jumps up with the pressures of this world.

Spiritual authority comes from God and God chose to make access to his authority available to everyone who chooses to believe. Even though we get older and older and grow in wisdom, we may have sagacity but it has to be accurately applied with meekness to the source. The greatest sages I have ever known are the quietest, most patient and also are continually learning and listening themselves. I have seen bible believing, pure-hearted children say wise, timely, and breathtaking comments that encourage and amaze arising from inherent spontaneous meekness. The implications of Ephesians 2:18 and its context go far beyond our own limited thinking.

The more we recognize and see God working in others, the more we can learn ourselves. This builds respect and promotes relationships that thrive and flourish with spiritual impact. It keeps us out of the oh so! damaging and ignorant, busybody category that promulgates gossip and ill-feelings.

The greatest thing we can do for others is to help them see the 'access stuff'. It is the apex of the grace administration in which we live. The great David lived in a time that only certain individuals had access.  Out of his lineage came another man, a mediator who eventually through his function as The Messiah, ushered in the new age of access for anyone who believes.  One man believing God had a larger widespread responsibility (which may be too much) than everyman believing God in his own easily defined sphere of influence. Yes, we ought to plaster this verse everywhere and maybe even re-nail it to the Wittenberg door as a reminder of the  re-form-u-lation of the New Testament grace administration. Failure to see this keeps the grace administration in a box. Grace is free.

Context:
Ephesians 2:13-22

After God's Own Heart

In the first book of Samuel, we begin to learn about David. David succeeded Saul in ruling over Israel as the king o Israel:

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Acts 13:22

David was not perfect. He was human and made several mistakes in his life, some of which had major consequences. Nevertheless, God called him a man after his own heart. David is referred to throughout the Word of God and he is someone we can learn from.

David is first mentioned at the end of the book of Ruth specifically referring to his lineage. Naomi was Ruth's daughter-in-law and she eventually married Boaz. They begot Obed who begot Jesse who was David's father. David's lineage was important as it was part of the Christ line.

In I Samuel 16, the record of David starts with some of the events that led up to his replacement of Saul as King of Israel. In chapter 16, David was young still, but the scene was set up for him to move towards God's intended place for him.

We all know the story of David and Goliath. The heart of David is shown vividly in the record.  Two key components of his thinking separated him from all those dealing with the problem of Goliath.

First, he believed in his authority to remedy the situation:

45 Then said David to the Philistine (Goliath), Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.1 Samuel 17:45

Second, he believed he had the power to accomplish what he had to do:

38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. 39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. 40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. I Samuel 17:38-40

 Authority comes from the kingdom of God and power is what an individual has internally to carry that authority out. Jesus Christ amazed people when he performed great miracles:

36 And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. Luke 4:36

As believers today, we have the same authority and power to carry out the works of God:

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12

Notice the repetition of the word 'verily' (or in other words truly, truly!).  God calls our attention to what he is about to say. Believing is the key to the heart.  We can have authority from God and we have the power to carry out whatever God sets before us.  Whatever 'Goliath' stands in our way, no matter what, God will support us to deal with it effectively without heavy amour and with simple confidence just as David did.

Head and Heart

God summarized the law by focusing on two simple truths : love God and love your neighbor. These two concepts pretty much cover everything else. The how of love is from God. It involves the heart, mind, soul and strength. The heart is composed of both the feeling and the thinking center of the will in connection with the activities of the soul(life) and strength. We are to love ourselves and our neighbor as ourselves.

28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:28-31 (Matthew 22:35-40, Luke 10:25-28, Deuteronomy 6:4-6

True love should always involve the love of God. We love others by being truthful, honest and encouraging. Love is spiritual and rises way above the human version of benevolent humanism. Love has power and it is involves the commitment and discipline of our feelings and thinking. It takes commitment to love, it is not just a whimsical affectation which is here one moment and gone the next minute when we don't feel like being loving.

God's love in any situation is the right answer. It cannot be dumbed down to human speculation. True acts of love always glorify God. True acts of love lift people out of the quicksand of the negative dramas of life.

By loving God, we are loving ourselves and then can do the same for others. This is a genuine type of self-love that overflows to others. Our actions toward others should come from a heart filled with the love of God not by man's definition and expectation of a good heart. We need to remember that we hurt people when we try to take God's place or glory in their lives. The greatest action toward those around us is to provide a springboard for them to get to know God and encourage them to trust his love to help them.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Maimonides

One to Another Relationships

'Submission' occurs in all relationships whether it be with a spouse, friend, mere acquaintance or  family member.  A simple example might involve any type of conversation between two people. If you are involved in a conversation with someone else there should be submission on both sides. One person talks and then the other. Each person takes turns listening otherwise it is not a conversation. Another example could involve the simple task of walking through a door. Two people cannot walk through a door together (with most size doors). Someone has to go first and the other follow. There's a logical arrangement.

Another consideration in a relationship centers on opinion. We don't always agree but our motives involving opinions should not center on who's right and who's wrong. The conversations in such relationships can accelerate higher and higher until someone gets plowed down. No matter who is right or wrong, arguments can be a battle of egos, pride, self-righteousness

and the relationship becomes unbalanced and doomed. There is no service, there is no unity, there is no good outcome.

We should respect the rights of others to have a different opinion. Free-will choice is a right. At the same time, we are not expected to respect an opinion another holds that is contrary to the word of God. If there is an opportunity to help someone understand God's word better we can influence the outcome of a relationship challenge. God has asked us to serve one another. Our respect and love for God motivates us to do just that.  Having God's authority enables us to accomplish the will of God. It is based on godly love.

21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear (respect, reverence and love) of God. Ephesians 5:21

This is not easy and may be oversimplified because human nature would have us look sideways instead of up first for answers. Accusation, competition, pride, indignation and other things start to take root which only send relationships south. The only way to look is up by looking at what the word says about a particular situation, praying and listening to God in patient trust on how to handle it and remembering that nothing is earth-shattering.  This is how we can respect others and love them the way God wants us to love them. When we react on what God asks us to do, we don't have to worry, the outcome will ultimately be the way it needs to be.

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1