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Ephesians 6 - Dionysius the Areopagite

Sometime between 485 and 518-28 AD, a man named Dionysius the Areopagite, wrote a book entitled "The Celestial Hierarchy". Through careful study of Ephesians 6:12 and Colossians 1:16 he determined that there are Three Hierarchies of Angels, and within each of these three hierarchies, there are three Orders of Angels. In the middle ages, about 1500 AD, this list was expanded and modified to the one seen below.

• First Hierarchy:
  • Seraphim
  • Cherubim
  • Archangels
• Second Hierarchy:
  • Dominions
  • Virtues
  • Principalities
  • Rulers
  • Authorities
  • Powers
  • Thrones or Ophanim
• Third Hierarchy:
  • Angels

We read here that we have been given insight into the unseen world. In reading further we would see that we are told of our weapons and our course of action. Whether or not we actually use this information is up to us. May we be doers and not hearers only.

Heavenly Father, please give me the grace to fight the good fight. Grant me wisdom to daily take up the armor and weapons that You have provided for me. I do not want to go into battle that rages about me on a daily basis unprepared. Help me to encourage and embolden my fellow soldiers of the cross. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Victory is ours! Jan
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Ephesians 5 - Jell-O and Mayonnaise

Being a dad is something very recent for me. A year and a half ago I married a wonderful lady, and in the process I became step-dad to her two youngest sons. Sam is now 13 and Caleb is 9. One of the things that I find so humbling and also challenging is their sometimes conscious and often unconscious imitation of me. I find that they are adopting some of my mannerisms and quirks.

If anyone asks them the rhetorical question, "Do you know what's weird?" They automatically answer, "Jell-O." Because that is the standard answer that I give anyone who asks me that question. They have heard it so often, that it has now become a part of them. Another quirk they have picked up, to the chagrin of their mother, is my like of mayonnaise on hot-dogs and french-fries. It is now an expected condiment at meals. Whereas before my entrance into their lives it was rare. As a result of being around me, they are becoming somewhat like me in mannerisms and speech. Now with that in mind let's look at the opening verse of today's chapter.

Ephesians 5:1 Since you are God's dear children, you must try to be like him.

The Apostle Paul calls us God's children and tells us that we must do what children naturally do - they want to be like their parents. How does this happen with children? It happens because they spend time with them, unconsciously observing and learning their mannerisms. The key is spend time with. Only when we do that with God will we be like Him.

Heavenly Father, please give us a love for Your word and a desire to be more like You with each passing day. Help us to truly enjoy what You enjoy, and dislike what You dislike. So that anyone can observe us and with ease say, "Those are children of God." Amen.

Have a little mayonnaise. Jan
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Ephesians 4 - Measuring Up

We have a tall skinny picture on our family room wall. From a distance it looks like some type of contemporary art-work. But when you get closer, you realize that it is a random assortment of horizontal lines on a floral print background. You also notice initials, names, dates, and numbers on many of the lines.

It is a section of wall-paper from my wife's former home. This piece is special. It is from the place on the wall where all of her children were measured as they grew up. When the house sold, her oldest son Baruch, carefully removed this particular section, about four feet long by eight inches wide and presented it to his mother.

Just before our fist anniversary, I carefully attached it to a solid backing, framed it and mounted it on the wall of our new home. There is no glass over the front, and it is mounted at precisely the same height that it used to be at the old house. It is now continuing in its honored role as the "measuring spot".

Ephesians 4:1 I urge you,... live a life that measures up to the standard God set when he called you.

Ephesians 4:14-16 Then we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown about by every shifting wind of the teaching of deceitful people, who lead others into error by the tricks they invent. Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head. Under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love.

As Paul writes, we too must grow up. But how do we know if we are growing unless we have a "measuring spot"? There must be a way to tell if there is indeed growth - and there is! It is the measuring spot of God's word. The charge in this chapter alone would do most of us in I suspect. How's this for a list?

No lying, don't stay angry, don't steal, help the poor, use only helpful words. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.

This list shows just how much growth I still have to go. So what is the standard of measure? How do we know when we are mature? When we've grown up?

Ephesians 4:13 ...until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard.

I know that I don't measure up to Christ, how about you?

So how do we grow? How does anything grow? By taking in the proper nutrients, having the proper environment, and time. We must do likewise, nourish our souls on the word of God. Plant ourselves in the fertile soil of a godly assembly of believers, and do good unto all men while it is still called today - while we are still able. Then, and only then will true growth have a chance.

Grow Up! Jan
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Ephesians 3 - The Secret Plan

In 1934 the United States' Military devised a secret plan to invade Canada. It was a contingency plan if England and the U.S. should ever go to war about international commerce issues. The plan called for an invasion, occupation, and once peace was achieved, absorption of the Canadian provinces into states of the United States of America. Like most secrets it was well guarded. It finally came to light when it was declassified in 1974.

God apparently has had a "Secret Plan" regarding us, according to the Apostle Paul.

Ephesians 3:6-9 And this is the secret plan: The Gentiles have an equal share with the Jews in all the riches inherited by God's children. Both groups have believed the Good News, and both are part of the same body and enjoy together the promise of blessings through Christ Jesus. By God's special favor and mighty power, I have been given the wonderful privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News...  I was chosen to explain to everyone this plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

The Apostle Paul explains that God's intention from the beginning of time - and everyone somehow missed it - was to include the gentiles (most of us) in His redemptive work.

I would be remiss if I did not add the comment that the redemptive work is the "Good News" that we all believed. That news is, that death is not permanent, that Jesus defeated death, hell and the grave. And since He did, His power in us will accomplish the same for us - no matter if we are Jew or Gentile.

The secret is out, tell someone!
Jan
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Ephesians 2 - Eternal Adventure

A promise of purpose lost is reveled here. 'Why was I made?' is often the cry of my heart. Am I here just to be born, grow older, become a Christian, get married, raise children, die, then take my place standing on a cloud, playing a harp for all eternity? Isn't there more?

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10 (Good News) God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 (The Message) God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

Why did He create us anew, make us what we are, save us?

He did it so that our purpose, "planned from long ago", "already prepared for us", what He "has gotten ready", could be fulfilled.

And what is that purpose?

It is to do "the good things", to have "a life of good deeds", "to join Him in the work He does".

The Christian life is an active life full of wonder, mystery, surprise, and adventure - none of which end with death. Heaven is not eternal harp music and boredom. But if I am not doing the things God has prepared for me, learning the lessons He has in store for me, all I may be good for in Heaven is warming a cloud with my butt and learning to play the harp. In order to fulfill my God-given role in life and in eternity, I need to be actively seeking His will so that I am doing those things that God has prepared in advance for me to do. May you do likewise.

Live the eternal adventure! Jan
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Ephesians 1 - Clear direction in life

What an amazing prayer Paul prays for those he is writing to. All too often I get discouraged, tired, and run-down. But in perceiving the meat of this prayer, I see that Paul's prayer and Christ's promises are not just for the Christians in Ephesus, they are for me too!

Ephesians 1:15-22a That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the Christians, I couldn't stop thanking God for you - every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask - ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him - endless energy, boundless strength! All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything.

We need to grasp it, to understand, the immensity of the glorious way of life He has for us. We need to be intelligent and discerning in knowing Him personally. Why? Because, endless energy, and boundless strength, are coming from Christ Jesus and working in us. But just like a light switch or a telephone, unless we know what purpose it serves, what it's function is, it does us no good. In the same way, unless we are aware of the presence of Christ, unless we are tapping into His energy and strength, we are like a bug trying to figure out a telephone or light switch. We just can't understand. Only through solidly trusting in Christ can our eyes be focused and clear "So that you can see exactly what He is calling you to do". I know that I long for clear purposeful direction. What about you? If I'm reading this right it can be mine. What a promise!

I could go on. This chapter is amazing. However, I will close today's post with...

I give thanks for you. But more than that, I ask God to fill you with Christ through and through, so that you may be like Him more each day until the glorious appearing of our God and Savior - Jesus.

Blessings to you, Jan.
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