Subject: in christ according to Ephesians |
Bible Note: Part 2 of 2 Of course, Paul is not insinuating that there are two Kingdoms; rather Paul is unifying Christ with the Father: One Kingdom: One King: One Savior: One God! He also calls us to action as he warns that we are to take advantage of the opportunities afforded to us by the Lord. Paul wants us to be actively involved in the Church... we are not called to just simply wait about for salvation!: "Wake up sleeper, and rise from death, and Christ will shine on you." So be careful how you live... Make good use of every opportunity you have... try to find out what the Lord wants you to do... In Ephesians 5:21-33 Paul introduces a special relationship between Christ and the Church and those who are called to serve in the Sacrament of Matrimony: husbands and wives are not merely married to each other as the pagans marry onto one another... the Christian marriage is, above all, a special relationship with Christ, who set our goal in His exemplary Love of the Church!: Submit yourselves to one another because of your reverence for Christ... as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it... There is a deep secret truth... applying to Christ and the church. But it also applies to you. In chapter 6 Paul continues setting the examples of how we are to treat one another in the faith--as the times dictated, Paul also address the issues of slaves and master: there is no distinction between one and the other in Christ, so both are to treat the other in Christ's love and justice. Then Paul breaks into a strong revelation about the battles that we, as Christians, must fight... It is a spiritual battle and we do not have the means to engage it, let alone win it: build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power... So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Sprit gives you. Do all this in prayer asking for God's help. Paul begins and ends Ephesians with that special relationship of Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Father. He emphasizes our dependence in God, our obligations as Christians, and God's command that we unify in Christ for the Glory of His Kingdom! God Bless! Angel |