Ephesians 4:15

Ephesians is a great book! It contains important keys to maturing as a Christian. You don't have to know Greek or Aramaic to understand its breath-taking truths. My favorite verse is Ephesians 4:15:

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

There is a beautiful 3-part  precept magnificently displayed in this verse. To grow up: 1) we speak, 2) the truth 3) in love. All three components are vital elements to our growth. We can speak the truth certainly. So can legalists, religionists, quoters; anyone can speak truth. We can speak in love, but we might be humanists, people pleasers, and even flatterers. We can love truth but how does that help anyone else or help us mature. We need all three elements if we want to really help people know God  better as we  mature  in the unselfish nature that Jesus Christ so exemplified.

Ephesians is Our Complete Package From God

Seated in the heavenlies

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1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

2:5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Walking worthy

5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Able to Stand

10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

E=mc2 (Ephesians=mystery x completelycompletelycomplete)

According to Einstein and his theory of relativity, matter is a manifestation of energy. Energy can manifest itself in a number of ways, light, heat, sound, electrically, chemically, etc. You can’t see energy, only the effects of it can be seen in matter.

How has God manifested Himself?  Light shone out of darkness, creation, a bush burned, the Red Sea parted, a still small voice whispered to Elijah, a man was raised from the dead, tongues of fire showed up on the day of Pentecost, and many, many, many other examples; not to mention the ones not written about. Think about in your own life, all those wonderful moments that you knew that something bigger than you was in operation in your life.

The greatest move of God is in the heart of an individual when he accepts the real deal of Jesus Christ getting up, ascending and sitting down on the right hand of God.  God needs matter to express His spirit. When we change our citizenship from this world to the one from above, we, as individuals manifest the nature of God through the spirit that takes up residence in our hearts. Collectively when we gather with others who know and respect how God works in each individual, God has room to work even bigger.  It is absolute brilliance!

There are a lot of books written about teamwork, management and relationships and they all have some good points on how to work with others. There is no mistaking the dynamics of a group that has the energy of God working in it. It also can be just as evident when God is not the force behind something.

Romans 8:28 (Amplified Bible)28We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed but it can be transformed. Thank God! Every person who believes becomes a dynamic force as God comes into manifestation in the senses realm through that person. Put a couple of people together that think this way and it is out of this world. It is what it means to be truly seated in the heavenlies (Ephesians).

Non-Conformist

In Romans 12:2 the Word says to not be conformed to this world. The word ‘conformed’ means molded or fashioned. We shouldn’t let the world mold our patterns of living. Instead be are to be changed by putting on the thoughts of God. Does this mean we run around acting pious and poor, flipping peace signs.  No! Emphatically No!

Someone who does not conform to this world has his thoughts well arranged.  He/she is secure in the love of God and does not enlist the tricks and tools of the fearful striving that goes on everywhere today.  There's no need to pressure, gossip, envy, suspect or compete with to become an achiever and insure his position in the world (II Corinthians 10:12). He is one who has God as the wind in his sails and enjoys the complete incredible freedom to live life to the fullest.

In Romans 8, the magna carta of freedom for the believer (our constitutional protection plan from God) , we can read that we are more than conquers in a number of situations, starting with mental pressure (tribulation). That is where everything starts. Ever feel like you are being pushed in a corner mentally? Or how about when things that seem to follow you around and push at you? (like the economy for example?)  Are there things that seem to hang over your head? Have you ever felt that like you are being carved up in little pieces (Romans 8:35)?  All the more reason to be persuaded to turn to God for answers. He is well aware of what’s going on and He provides excellent avenues of escape (I Corinthians 10:13).

Romans 8 feeds into Romans 12 (Romans 9-11 is a parenthesis dealing with Israel) In the understanding of what it means to be more than conqueror, we break out of the world's mold. Getting ‘born again’ (which  is a term much bandied about these days) gets us to the right place spiritually.  The location in which we are born determines our citizenship.  To be ‘born again’ changes our citizenship and our world. We have citizenship from someplace else. We are asked to become ambassadors from above. It is from this vantage point we can truly help others. Our heavenly culture is in our hearts and we share it with others who earnestly seek the freedom that we have.

Freedom

Recently, floating out on the Sound off the shores of Connecticut, I began thinking about the brave pilgrims and their courage and belief to worship God freely without bounds by traveling to an unknown land. Our ancestors focused on the promises and ability of God and pointed their bows to the clearing in the the sky with new hope for freedom. Sure there were a lot of clouds, but they looked for the 'sonshine'. That is what the renewed mind is. It is about  pointing your compass to the promised land of freedom allowing God to be the wind in your sails.


When I first heard about the renewed mind, my mind thought about the old days when heading out of the confessional feeling squeaky clean after having spilled the beans about how many sins I had committed. Oh glory, as if God is interested! He really is only interested in  repentance (oops, sorry, that word has been darkened and dramatized too). Repentance means a change of mind, a redirection to a more prosperous path, a path that He can shower one with blessings. He is happy about that!


The renewed mind is so much more than dealing with sin.  It is about the power of God reigning in your life without limits. Just look at Romans 12:2:

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Reading the rest of Chapter 12, we are encouraged to get functioning in the body of Christ. What a joy it is to do that! There is so much life in those verses to be lived. Don't let anyone talk you out it. If they try, lovingly tell them to get their own renewed mind and get busy with their own exciting work. You have the God-given right to hear from God and uniquely utilize holy spirit from Him to help people.  You don't have to wear a backwards collar, put on a pointy hat, walk around with a pious puss, or even have a fancy title to help you renew your mind. Just hold on to the Word in your mind, act accordingly and when you run into a 'truth seeker' say "Greetings pilgrim, your search has landed!" "This is the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

Service

Luke 10:38-42  ³⁸Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. ⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: ⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Gossiping about God

Will Rogers once said: "Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip."

 

I have listened to enough gossip about God all my life.  It wasn’t until I started listening to Him that I really got to know Him.  You can find His expressions everywhere. You can see Him physically in the creation.

 Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,

You can find Him in His Word that can illustrate Him to our minds:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 As we manifest His spirit in our lives, we see Him and so do others.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

If we want we can have the complete package in our physical, mental and spiritual life. We are three part humans that have the privilege to completely know God.

When someone else tells you something about someone, it may or may not be true. That’s the danger of gossip. It is always a wise choice to go to the source. I don’t want to hear gossip about God. I want to know Him.  We may listen to a few parrots for a while but in the end the best teachers are not gossips or parrots. They are ones who always direct you to the source.

El Shaddai

When we look at Genesis 17, who is the star of the show?  Throughout the Old Testament there are great examples of people walking under the powerful wings of God.  Yet so often people read about what Abraham did and Joseph did and all those who received the promises of God and then they magnify the act rather than the source. What they did was simple because they did just one simple thing – relied on God’s all-sufficiency and power to take care of whatever needed to be taken care of.

What was going on around Abraham was Abraham’s culture and challenges. The same was true of Joseph. None of these men were gods. They were examples because they  knew and applied the heart of God to their particular situations. God doesn’t want us to roam around the Arabian Peninsula or mosey around Egypt to exhibit our believing.  He wants us to look to Him in the details of our own lives with believing expectation and confidence.

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

The word “perfect” does not really mean what we think it means (Thank God for that!). If you look at the Hebrew word, this word means whole, sound, or complete.

Somethings in life are challenging, BUT God is our all-sufficiency. He is our El-Shaddai! We live in a different era than Abraham or Joseph. We live in the grace administration. This is a uniquely powerful time to live. Through the work of Jesus Christ we have unlimited resources. Our lives are laid out in
Ephesians 3:20.

 Now unto him (God) that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

So what is our need? Job? Place to live? Relationship? Please don’t go stoic on God, he doesn’t need you to do a ton of  pious sacrifices to prove your love. Just believe that He truly is your sufficiency!

Genuine Believing

In our home we have several items that produce heat. There is the furnace, the stove, the fireplace, lightbulbs, matches, my computer cord are just a few. In the middle of winter with temperatures as low as 5 or 10 below, it would be not the best choice to choose matches or lightbulbs as a source of heat. To really do the job with the greatest impact would be to choose the right source of heat. In life there are a lot of ways to believe, but only one way releases the power of God. It is by way of the faith of Jesus Christ. We should not be content with lightbulbs or matches, they can’t even warm a piece of pie! I’ve sat in a few pews that were chilly, but thankfully things of God are by free-will choice! When it comes to spiritual heat, I like nuclear!

In the Old Testament men and women of God could believe God. Abraham was called the father of believing. Old Testament believers such as Nehemiah, Joshua and Deborah could believe by taking action to stand for God. Today we can too by making a decision to love God and act accordingly. In addition we live in the grace administration today whereby it is available to have the inner spiritual development of the faith of Jesus Christ. On the Day of Pentecost God made it available for believing people to receive His power within. Faith was made available through Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:22-26, 22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

It is important to distinguish between these two words ‘faith’ and ‘believing’ even though they are both translated from the same Greek word ‘pistis’. It takes looking at the context to distinguish what is meant. If we examine the word ‘belief’ in various contexts, it can several different things.  It could mean tenet, doctrine, persuasion, opinion, thought, confidence, view as well as many other things. Context is important.

Faith of Jesus Christ involves his death, resurrection, ascension to the right hand of God bringing on the outpouring of holy spirit to each individual believer. Believing involves accepting God"s power and applying it in life’s situations helping others as well as ourselves as God energizes.

I can believe to light a match, turn on the stove or flip the switch on the furnace if I feel chilly. It's my choice. The results will be contingent on what I choose. I prefer the furnace cause it keeps me warm  everyday of the week 24/7. God is a 24/7 God.  His love is constant and meets every need and keeps the fires burning everyday with purpose. 

Leaders

Leaders inspire people that is why they are called leaders. It is as simple as that.  No fancy titles, no lofty elitism, stiff respect or futile fawning. Leadership is a quality not a title. It is a living breathing component or characteristic of people who are led by something greater than themselves. In the Bible the greatest leaders were those who loved God and believed Him, people like Joseph, Debra, Nehemiah, Mordecai, and ultimately Jesus Christ.

The word ‘inspiration’ comes from a word meaning 'to breathe in'. When we breathe oxygen into our bodies, it is sent to our cells and when combined with food produces energy which is vital to the activity of the body. Oxygen is an essential ingredient required to keep the body fired up. So is inspiration to the mind.

Inspiration is quite different from authority. Inspiration provides the essential component for action. It stimulates action. Authority is positional and it is the right to control, command or  determine what’s what. Paul was an example of a man who had authority. He was:

 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; (Phil 3:5)

He was a member of the Sanhedrin. He had position upon position. When he came to the realization that it was not what his heart was about, he gave all up and became the true leader of the first century church. God was able to work in him to set down the heart of the mystery as a result of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. The Word of God in the seven church epistles is inspiring to every individual who sees himself in them and wants to help others see all they could be in Christ. He became a man of inspiration and still is today.

In Acts 15 we see a great example of Paul’s leadership characteristics. He just doesn’t back away from standing up for the church that God had established in the grace administration. He boldly communicated his heart in the conflict about circumcision. He communicated with James, the Jerusalem saints and Peter and held the line on what was dragging the newly formed church down in their thinking and in their exercising of positional authority rather than the heart of the mystery.

Jesus Christ’s life was an inspiration. He trained the twelve, he sent them out, he sent out the seventy. He taught and led, and sent. His first Words to Peter and Andrew were “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Following and leading go hand in hand and are mutually dependent on each other as they interchange according to the circumstances. All of us are leaders in some form or another, be it as, friends moms, dads, husbands, wives, or workers in any capacity of life.

I love the quote John Quincy Adams quote,  “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
”

By their fruits you shall know them

A friend of mine whom I have known through the years has a knack of knowing just the right time to call me.  She believes and loves God and has a way of putting the Word straight in front of my heart. Sometimes when I’m being a knucklehead, my husband says to call her because he knows she’ll straighten me out. We both have been so blessed by her life. This lady loves God’s word and she truly manifests God’s love because of it.

We live in a world that is full of challenges, but God provided His Word, His son, and His holy spirit in us to help us through its hills and valleys. We need others that love us enough to really care for our hearts and we need to do that for others.

 ‘What the world needs now is love, sweet love… ♪♫♪♫’. It is God’s love that is so genuine and exactly hits the mark. It is based on the renewed mind  which is fed by the spirit of God. There’s no mistaking God’s heart. Human love is quite different. Human beings can love but without God it is very ordinary. Human love can invite a boatload of problems at times, especially when people have a lot of fear behind it. For example, too much human love can smother or spoil and cause all sorts of unnecessary evil. Too little can harden or confuse or discourage. So how can you tell the difference?

18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. I John 4:18

 Matthew 7:16-17a , 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; 

  Fruit are the results of  actions. God’s love edifies and produces fruit. There is no mistaking it when you are the object of that love. It hits exactly on what you need. It does not cause strife, jealousy and confusion. Decisions based on God’s standard and urging have so much impact that one just bubbles over with the same kind of love to others.

 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17

Fruits are manifested by actions. When humans love with the love of God,  they manifest God’s wisdom and the results are amazing!  It is how the family of God is supposed to live together.