QT 26 Oct 10

Eph 5:1-6 (NIV) Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person — such a man is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

NOTE: What does verse 5 mean? It says that any immoral, impure or greedy person has does not have any inheritance in the kingdom. It also defines immoral, impure or greedy person as an idolater. But since we are all immoral, impure, or greedy -- to some extent, even Paul called himself a wretched man, and the chief sinner -- how does it apply. Since it would apply to all believers in some sense or at some time, it must refer to a way of life. A life characterized by immorality, impurity, or greediness suggests a person who does not worship God but rather sex, lust, and money. His worship is for his idols and consequently, he cannot be a believer. So then, does our struggles with sex, lust, and money have some impact on our inheritance in the kingdom as believers? Quite possibly, since it is the given reason for why an unbeliever (or faker) would not have an inheritance. I'm still not confident with the tidiness of this explanation. This is something I need to investigate further. I don't want to create my own doctrine, but rightfully divide God's word.

QT 18 Oct 10

Eph 4:3-6 (NIV) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

NOTE: Why is it that Christians, who share the same Holy Spirit, and are part of one universal body, should have to be reminded to pursue unity?  Why isn't unity a natural response to being a believer in Christ?  What is it about our nature, I assume the flesh, that even when we are new creations, must be reminded to pursue unity?  One of the key characteristics of a disciple is "love for each other" and yet, we still struggle with unity.  Paul offers good reasons why unity is essential, and probably expected -- one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.  But somehow, we have to be reminded to pursue peace and unity.  One could argue that the church is an odd mixture of different beliefs and practices, with little obvious unity.  Some of these churches are "so-called" churches because they do not represent true believers.  But others are true believers.  Do we allow our convictions of truth to influence our acceptance of others in areas that are grey?  Do we refuse to acknowledge the grey areas?  Do we, in our pride, believe that no one else can understand God as we understand God?  I don't have answers to these questions, but I do recognize the subtle influences of sin which cause divisions.  Lord, protect me from those attitudes.

QT 12 Oct 10

Eph 4:1-2 (NIV) As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

NOTE: The "calling" is becoming a citizen of the kingdom and a member of God's family, partakers (Gentile and Jew) with the promises of God and an inheritance from God.  It really is an amazing calling, and none of us are worthy of it.  But, if we truly understand and believe that calling, it will affect how we live our lives.  We need to be humble, even though the calling has made us incredibly special.  We need to be gentle, because it is a characteristic of our family name.  We need to be patient, and to bear with others in love, because God has been more than patient with us, and has shown us incredible and amazing love.

QT 6 Oct 10

Eph 3:16-19 (NIV) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

NOTE: Biblical prayers are most interesting -- mostly because of what you don't see in the prayers.  Paul does not mention the Father's name every other clause.  No prayers for someone who is sick.  No prayers for someone to find a job.  No prayers for the friend of a sister of a church member.  No prayers for undefined blessings.

Rather, Paul's prayers are entirely spiritual.  He prays for the Father to strengthen the readers with power from the Holy Spirit.  He prays that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith.  He prays that they might truly understand the depth of the love of Christ.  He prays that they might be filled with the fullness of God.  

QT 5 Oct 10

Eph 3:14-15 (NIV) For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

NOTE: It is easy to forget that as adopted sons and daughters, we are part of a larger family.  We have an inheritance, but we also inherit a name.  Our new last name is God's.  I'm not sure how it is pronounced or said, but the fact remains, our new name is derived from God.  When people see me, it is not just my name that I represent, but it is God's name.  My actions reflect upon my family, the family of God, the true church, those who share in Christ, Jew and Gentile.  I don't think we are truly captured with that thought or the magnitude of the truth.  If we really let it sink in, it ought to radically affect how we live our lives in this world.