Do Not Depart

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Unity in Marriage Points to Jesus

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All this month on the blog, we’ll be exploring the marriage metaphor found in Scripture. Check out previous posts in this series.

Lighting a unity candle is a relatively new tradition in Christian weddings. It symbolizes two individuals joining together in one relationship. The bride and the groom each take their own tapers and together light a third candle, usually a pillar. Once their flames have been united and the pillar is lit, they each extinguish their individual tapers. They are no longer two, but united as one.

Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh. ~Genesis 2:24.

The unity a man and wife share in one flesh is a reflection — albeit a dim reflection — of the unity we have with Jesus. According to the Apostle Paul, because the marriage is a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and the Church, wives are to submit to their husband and husbands are to love their wives as they love themselves.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. ~Ephesians 5:22-30

Could you imagine the trust your husband would have in you if you submitted to and trusted him the way the Church is to submit to and trust Jesus? Could you imagine how fearlessly you would live if you knew that your husband loved you and would protect you the way Jesus does for his Bride? I try but I don’t think my mind can fully grasp how freeing this would be for both me and my husband. I can only begin to imagine what we could accomplish together in this life if we fully loved, submitted to, and trust each other the way God intends us to.

Now, remember that a Christian marriage is a picture for Christ and his bride the Church. What do you think He wants to accomplish through His relationship with His bride? What do you think could happen if she fully submitted to Him? What do you think could happen if she fully understood His love for her? When she fully respected His authority? When she knew that she was utterly cherished and completely protected? 

I’ll tell you! Amazing things, that’s what! Christ’s Bride would reflect his glory, people would be drawn to the remarkable power of the gospel, and old, dead lives would be made knew.

When we see couples that are truly united, when they have let go of being individuals and are fully committed to being “one flesh” we notice. There is something special about their marriage that is intriguing. We recognize her respect for him and his love for her and we go, “I want that, too!” That is also the purpose of the oneness of Christ and His Bride. 

Jesus is sanctifying her and cleansing her with the washing of water with the word. He is making His Bride glorious — without spot, wrinkle, or blemish — so that others notice. Her beauty is a reflection of His love her and is intended to make others say “I want that, too! I want to know that love. I want to be cherished the way you are. I want to know your Jesus. Please tell me the Gospel.” 

The Gospel.

That is it.

When it’s all boiled down, our unity in marriage is meant to point others to Jesus and the Gospel — the good news that we sinner, who deserve eternal separation from God, are loved with His great love and can enjoy life in Christ for eternity.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ~Ephesians 2:4-7

Whether or not a Christian couple lights a unity candle together during their wedding they are beginning a beautiful relationship that reflects the stunning love that Jesus has for us. Though husband and wife will make mistakes and continue to sin as they walk this earth together, they can rest in the knowledge that they are cherished by Jesus and he loves them as He loves Himself.

Holy habits for everyday life

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We’re already practicing holiness, to one degree or another. People might say you’re “all in” when it comes to letting God’s holiness drive your habits.  Others might say you’re one of those who keeps God’s holiness and your habits in separate categories.

But what does God say? Does He leave it up to us to decide how holy we want to be, practically speaking? Or does He gives us any kind of a picture to show us how holiness looks in the everyday life of His followers?

The first part of Ephesians spells out our identity in Christ; the second illustrates how that identity matters. As we change who we were, contrast who we are, and imitate who the Father will always be, our new holiness in Jesus changes everything.

Holy habits everyday life

Holy habits due to change

Do you describe your dietary choices with words like “vegan, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, or sugar free?” A lifestyle change impacts how we spend, what we talk about, what decisions we make, and how we think. A lifestyle change is no small choice … if it’s authentic.

True followers seek “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

No one follows Christ without making a genuine change. Ephesians 4:22-32 shows us how a life of loving the Holy One requires putting off our old self and putting on the new. Old habits like lying, sinful anger, stealing, corrupt talk, and unforgiveness have to be put away. Like cleaning out Twinkies when we choose to go sugar free, past routines fall away as we take on holy habits in their place. True followers of Christ Jesus change.

Holy habits due to contrast

Sports seasons inspire fans to bring out team flags, wear jerseys, do cheers, and follow players. Devotees don’t follow every team; just their own. They may be aware of others, but they don’t buy into others. Real followers want their loyalty to be known. It’s the same for real Christ followers, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:8)

Instead of continuing to let darkness reign in our practical life, new life in Christ means the light of the Lord shines into every area of our personal everyday. The fruit of the Spirit within us comes out in how we talk to customers, discipline of our children, respond to hardships, solve financial problems, react to our mate, view our computer screen, deal with family relationships, see our culture, choose reading material, conduct our sexual life, participate in our local church, and get dressed daily. God’s light where darkness once reigned shines into every crack of our lifestyles.

The contrast brought by Christ can’t help but create holy habits where darkness once reigned.

Holy habits due to imitation

Reflection reveals the authenticity of our admiration. After all, isn’t imitation the highest form of flattery? A child’s mimicry on Fathers Day shows how much they watch, idolize, and strive to follow dad … or not. God’s unchanging holiness only requires a change in those who call Him “Abba,” Father. Our imitation brings Him praise.

For the children of God, holiness in practical living is the only believable response to the Father. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God,” (Ephesians 5:1-2).  Our growth in practicing holy living reveals the genuine nature of our adoption as sons of God.

Before we joined God’s family through Christ’s holy sacrifice, we were “sons of disobedience.“  When our father was the Devil, we imitated him. Once we’re adopted into God’s holy family, covered in a righteousness not our own, our Father is God, and we imitate Him through obedience. Like a child who grows older, revealing more and more of their father’s nature in the way they look, talk, walk, smile, laugh, and do life, so a child of God imitates the heavenly Father in holiness more and more.

A child of God has changed, lives in contrast to the world, and imitates the Father through holy habits in practical ways in everyday life.

Would you be willing to pray this prayer?

Father, You are my Father. I want to imitate You, like a genuine child who reflects Your nature. Would you make me alert to practical areas of my life where I need to mimic You more? Help me see where I’m acting more like the old me than the new me. Show me how to apply holiness in all of my life habits.

The Beauty of “So What”

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“You have been saved!” (Eph 2:8) So what?

I asked that question a month ago when we started our series on Ephesians. The answer is not insignificant. Of course, there are the eternal benefits: If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, He has saved you from an eternity of torment separated from God and saved you to an eternity of joy in God’s presence. During the first half of the month we delved into the nature of our salvation. Here’s a few of the highlights in case you missed them:

But the “so what” of our salvation is not limited to God’s one-time saving act on our behalf and the inheritance we will receive when we get to heaven. Our salvation also matters right now in this earthly life. The wonderful truths that God saved us and that the Holy Spirit lives within us impacts every relationship, every decision, and every circumstance of our lives. That is a great big “SO WHAT!”

Here are some of those “so whats” we discussed this month:

Believer, you have been saved! You have been saved to experience an abundant life in Christ for all eternity and for right now!

How does your salvation affect your life today? I would love to hear your “so what” story!

The Word is Our Weapon

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“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” Ephesians 6:17
Photo from Photobucket

Yesterday, Kristi explained the armor of God and challenged us to be Battle Ready because the stakes are so high and our families are at risk.

Today, we’re going to examine the Sword of the Spirit.

An unseen battle rages on around us. It’s a battle for the souls of those who do not know Christ. It’s a war against the faith of those who do. But the battle is not only going on around us – Romans 7:21-24 tells us that it wars within us, as well.

In 2 Timothy 2:3-4, Paul compares the Christian life to that of a soldier in a war as he calls us to endure hardships as a good soldier. And the best way to become skilled in our line of duty is to learn from the Master.

In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus shows us how to wield the Word of God as weapon when the enemy comes against us. When you read through these verses you find that the enemy waited until Jesus was at His weakest point physically before he tried to tempt Him.

He didn’t try to tempt Jesus with food when He had only been without food for a day or two. He lurked behind the scenes until he thought He could catch Jesus in a moment of weakness and then he pounced. That’s how he operates…attacking us when we’re weak.

Jesus met each fiery dart with the Word of God.

He was tested in the same three areas we are: (1 John 2:16)

The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

For Christians, the invisible battle that rages on around and in us is designed for our destruction. The destruction of our faith, our testimonies, our influence and ultimately our effectiveness. Winning each battle requires diligence. It’s not an easy win when the enemy, the world and our own flesh fight so hard to raise their banner of victory over different areas of our lives.

Let’s take a look at some of the packages our attacks come wrapped in:

  • Wrapped in what we think are our biggest needs (After 40 days without food, Jesus’ need for food was real – but He knew that real sustenance comes from the Word of God)
  • Wrapped in religion (When the enemy tempted Jesus, he misrepresented the Word of God. He tried to attack Him at the core of His belief system. But Jesus rebuked him with what the Word of God really said)
  • Wrapped in a shiny “You Deserve This” package (The enemy tried to tempt Jesus with power and possessions, yet he was foolishly offering Jesus something He already owned)
Sisters, we are in a war, but the battle is the Lord’s. Our role is to stand as we wield the Word of God in order to slice and dice every wayward thought – every circumstantial attack – every deceptive lie – every hurtful word or deed – every fleshly desire and every doubt and fear.

The battle is hard. We get weary in the fight. But God’s Word not only protects us, it refreshes and strengthens us as well.

Today, I want to encourage you to arm yourself well. Yes…God has given us His Word, but it is our responsibility to read it, to study it, to memorize it, to meditate on it and to really know it.

Good soldiers keep their blades sharp and are always ready for battle. Are you? Do you have some sharpening to do? Which tool do you need to use to sharpen your blade…studying, memorizing, meditating or all three?

Battle ready

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Photo credit: Simon Howden

I’m not a fighter by nature. I don’t like conflict, confrontation makes me slightly queasy (literally), and I would rather ignore issues than address them head on. But friends, whether we want to recognize it or not, we are standing at the front lines of a battle that has been raging for thousands of years. The question is not if there is a battle, but if we are prepared for the deadly battle that already rages around us.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:10-12, ESV)

On Monday I rocked my sweet four month old baby in the quiet of his nursery. I kissed his fuzzy head and smelled his milk breath and prayed over him, pondering what our crazy world might be like when he reaches adulthood, if the Lord should tarry that long (and I pray He doesn’t!) I long to wrap him in protection from head to toe, guarding him not just physically but more importantly, spiritually.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:13)

The image of the armor of God came to my mind as I prayed, and it struck me anew how Paul’s description of this spiritual armor speaks so vividly of the readiness we must have for the very real spiritual war that rages around us each day. Our Heavenly Father’s love for us goes even deeper than my love for my little ones – and He wants us to be wrapped in battle-protection, as well.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth… (Ephesians 6:14a)

Paul is relying on imagery of a Roman soldier’s battle gear in this passage, a familiar sight to his original readers. The soldier’s belt was far more than a fashion accessory – the soldier would tuck the flowing edges of his tunic into the belt to keep from becoming entangled and tripped up in hand-to-hand combat. Truth – both knowing and clinging to the truth of God’s Word and living authentic lives without hypocrisy – girds about us and keeps us from becoming tripped up and entangled in this raging war.

…and having put on the breastplate of righteousness… (Ephesians 6:14b)

The breastplate was like a bullet-proof vest, Roman soldier style! It covered the vital organs of the torso, providing necessary protection in battle. As we hold tight to what is right and flee from what is evil, it becomes a safeguard around us.

…and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:15)

The footwear of Roman soldiers was designed to give them traction and keep them from slipping as they fought. When we are confident that we are at peace with God and maintaining our focus on the eternal mission God has given us, it gives us spiritual stability and protects us from being pushed off course.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one… (Ephesians 6:16)

This word for “shield” refers to a very large shield that would protect the soldier’s entire body, enabling them to crouch behind it and be completely protected from the arrows flying from the enemy lines. Living a life of deep faith and belief in God’s character, Word, and ways is a shield about us, protecting us from the arrows of temptation and doubt and twisted truth that the enemy constantly sends our way.

…and take the helmet of salvation… (Ephesians 6:17a)

Tying in with the Gospel of Peace and the Shield of Faith, having the issue of our salvation settled is the primary protection for us – Satan loves to attack us in this area, and we must firmly put on our hope of salvation!

Tomorrow, Stephanie will explore the Word of God as our offensive weapon. For today, I want us to ponder if we are battle ready. We must each day fasten on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation. We must know the truth of God’s Word, cling to His grace, love, obey, believe Him.

As I hold my little ones and pray over them, I pray that God would capture their hearts young – that they would place their trust in Him and cling to Him with all their might. That they would love what is good and hate what is evil, that they would have a thirst for the Word of God and discernment to recognize what does not line up with the God’s revealed Truth. I pray that they would live each day with a deep and settled faith in God’s character, Word, and ways.

We are in a battle, and it rages deadly around us. I do not doubt that my life will not be easy – and my children’s lives might be even more difficult than my own. I must be dressed for the battle, I pray that God will wrap my little ones in the safety of His armor… and I must fight.

“I’m on the winning side of a war that has already been won.”

Coming to the Knock

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This year, as I prepare for Mother’s Day, my parent:child relationships look different. My youngest is taller than I am. My oldest drives herself to school. My mom just brought her mother home from a nursing home. I bought my mom a cute lanyard to hang her bifocals on. We will always be related as parents and children, yet our relationships go through God ordained seasons.

Training up & inspiring to obey & honor

In our relationships, there’s no doubt:  Knowing God and submitting to others gives us peace. Ignoring God and resisting others robs us of peace.  Ephesians 6:1-4 challenges us with more ways to take our love for Christ and express it through yielding to others. The applications hit close to home, so close that those outside our front door might not know.  After addressing husbands and wives last week, today children receive two specific directions.


Obey ~ The word conveys the idea of hearing a knock at the door and coming. This submissive action results from an attitude wanting to respond “in the Lord.” Children come “when they hear their parents’ knock,” because it’s a right response to the Almighty, not based on the conduct of the parent.  God declares this “right,” meaning a righteous act acceptable to Him.  The old Sunday School song is simple, but true: “Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe. Doing exactly what the Lord commands, doing it happily…”

Honor ~ In contrast to the submissive obedience of verse 1, children are told to “honor,” giving reverence reflecting value placed on another person. God assigns parents value in their position, and they are deserving of honor.  God announces a blessing of long life for those who yield to this charge for all children. As we age, our relationship changes from obedience to honor. This attitude doesn’t hinge on the conduct of a human parent, but on the command of our holy God.  


It’s not always easy to offer obedience while in childhood or honor while in adulthood. God isn’t opening the door for oppression or lack of understanding. Instead, He applies the attitude of submission to each family member. Remember that, in the context of this passage, the charge to children follows the foundation set for a husband and wife. As the core of the home, an obedient man and wife create a loving climate.


Since obedience is learned and sometimes hard won, God speaks to fathers about their role in bringing up children.  Even when shaping a rebellious child, fathers are commanded not to provoke their children, frustrating or exasperating them. This may be obvious and aggressive, or it may be the result of nurturing withheld. Either way it’s born out of sin, rather than a reflection of a man’s yielded heart to His own Heavenly Father. God warns against stirring up young hearts to anger and wrath.


Instead, He wants fathers to train, instruct, and lovingly discipline their children, so their minds and morals are nurtured.  When Fathers embrace their role as the loving leader in their child’s life, and when children obey and honor their parents in each season of life, God blesses families with peace.

  • Children:  obey & honor
  • Fathers:  don’t provoke, but bring up

Knowing God and submitting to others gives us peace. Ignoring God and resisting others robs us of peace.  God is knocking and asking us all to obey His call to submit to others out of love and reverence for Him. Let’s answer His call.


In your season, how are you honoring your own parents?

If you have children, how are you helping them know God’s charge to them?


Royal Wedding?

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At the end of this week, much of the world will watch as Prince William of England marries Catherine Middleton at West Minster Abbey.  An app was developed to allow curious people of the world (ahem) to take a virtual tour of the Abbey before the wedding. Barbara Walters released a special about the events, saying “No one does it quite like the British.”  After Princess Diana’s 25 foot long train in 1981, we might be tempted to believe Barbara, but she’s not quite right.  In reality, the world has yet to see a truly royal wedding.


On Friday we looked at the heavenly hope for wives to respect their husbands and husbands to love their wives. The comparison to how Christ loves his church was a key part of understanding how and why, but today let’s take a closer look at what it means to be the Heavenly Bride.

Unlike an earthly husband, Christ is actually able to sanctify his bride (set her apart) and cleanse her by paying for her impurities with his own righteous sacrifice. In comparison, even the earthly wealth of England doesn’t look quite so grand.   The gift of the Bridegroom Christ on the cross makes it possible for the Bride Church to be totally clean and holy, so nothing separates her from his love. He longs to “present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be hold and without blemish,” (Eph. 5:27) and husbands are to love their wives “in the same way” (v.28).

Photo by Shine4Him8Himself.

We glimpse the gift in our “engagement,” but we’ll fully realize the joy when we are united at the royal Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It will rival the celebration just held at Buckingham Palace by Her Majesty the Queen. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and his love will be hosted by the Heavenly Father

Revelation 19 offers us a glimpse of what awaits the Bride of Christ, the Church, in heaven.

“Hallelujah!For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

(vv. 6b-9a)

For West Minister’s “royal wedding,” Catherine prepared for months; the world watched with curious anticipation.  When the Bridegroom Christ receives his Bride the Church, will he see that, “his Bride has made herself ready?”  Will we be covered in the fine linen of righteousness?

I’m sad to say I didn’t receive an invitation to royal wedding of William and Kate, and I venture to guess you didn’t either, but we ALL got an invitation to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.  And even more thrilling, the Father has chosen us to be the Bride!  We don’t know when we’ll be wed to our Love, but we know the wedding is coming, and it’s going to be more than royal; it’s going to be divine.


Are you ready to meet the Bridegroom? 

Love & Respect … Really?

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We were on our honeymoon when we fell into what Dr. Emerson Eggerichs calls the “Crazy Cycle” between a husband and wife. Jeff had worked hard to save, so we could indulge in special treats, but I was worried about spending what I thought might be our last two nickels. Before we knew it, he felt disrespected by his young bride, and I felt unloved by my tarnished Prince Charming. In Love and Respect Dr. Eggerichs says, “Without love, she reacts without respect. Without respect, he reacts without love.”

Perhaps our very nature prompts God to narrow down the key to sweet marriage with a single focus for each in 3 verses to wives and 9 verses to husbands. Husbands are to love their wives. Wives are to respect their husbands.

Image from Google Images/Corbis

The “marriage chunk” (5:22-33) follows the segment Teri Lynne walked us through about how to put on love and the challenge in verse 21 to submit to each other “out of reverence for Christ.”  Without the modern triple space before verse 22, it’s natural to apply submission to the way couples care for each other.

Instead of a power issue, submission is an expression of love for Christ, a willing yielding of ourselves into the “oneness” of marriage. Wives willingly place themselves under their husband’s headship, and husbands respond with loving care.  Is it humanly possible?

The divine relationship of Christ and His bride is the pattern and standard for the give and take:

“the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body … as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands” (vv. 23-24)

The submission a wife offers her husband flows from her heart as a result of following Jesus. She accepts God’s ordained order, since the word for “head” indicates an authority structure.  Some have misunderstood this as a reflection on a woman’s value or voice, but it is, instead, a beautiful offering of her willingness to step under her husband’s umbrella of leadership. This yielding is not to every man or any man, but to HER man. Yielding is part of a loving cycle.

In the love cycle, God calls a husband to love sacrificially, desiring his wife’s best, guarding her purity, and putting her needs above his own. God calls men to love with “agape” love that doesn’t hinge on the behavior or response of the one loved.  Unconditional loving leadership is part of a loving cycle.

As God paints a picture of oneness, He includes a vital detail. Because of the goal of loving and respecting, it requires that a husband leave the headship of his parents’ home and, instead, stick to his wife like glue (v.31). Nothing comes between them, even their families of origin. You can’t “cleave” unless you “leave.”  This gives a husband freedom to lead as the authority of his home, while it gives the wife the space to be loved foremost by her husband and to respect her man as her head. A husband and wife have to step away from their homes to make one of their own together.

If the image of each putting the other above themselves seems like a lofty goal, it is.  In fact this is loving “just as Christ does the church” (v. 29). Knowing about God’s power

“at work within us” (v.20) to help us walk worthy or our calling, even when it comes to wives loving and husbands respecting, we have confidence that we have what we need to walk in love.

Wives are longing to be loved.  Husbands are yearning to be respected. We have the potential to give our beloved what they need most and what our marriage waits for in order to burst into fullness of life. Just as the mystery of how Christ loves the church “is profound,” so is the mystery of yielding married selves to honor our Jesus with love and respect for each other.

Have there been times when you allowed your circumstances to stunt the respect you show?

How do you see your spouse respond with love when you give

unconditional respect?

A Fragrant Offering

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We are Christmas-a-holics at Chez Underwood.  Our attic is full of decorations and we’ve been known to have more than 10 trees decorated for the season.  In fact, last year, we decorated both our house in Georgia and “The Cottage” in Alabama.   I love all the twinkling lights, handpicked ornaments and especially each of our Nativity sets.   My daughter loves the outdoor decorations and putting lights up on the house.  And my husband … well, he loves all of it.  In fact, he loves it so much that our guest room is Christmas themed year round.   In order to keep the Christmas-y vibe alive during the blistering hot summers here in south Georgia, he has invested in scented candles.   The fragrances of Christmas draw you in when you are in that room … the thick evergreen scent melts into the warmth of cinnamon and you want to curl up in the Christmas throws and watch your favorite Christmas movie.

Photo by Teri Lynne Underwood

Scents affect us.   The fragrance of honeysuckle can take us back to childhood summers.  Walking into the kitchen with an apple pie in the oven reminds us of grandmother’s house.   And just the hint of chocolate chip cookies can bring a smile to almost any face.

Scents affect God as well.  Time and again in Exodus and Leviticus we are told that various offerings presented a “pleasing aroma to the Lord.”  Paul reminded the church at Ephesus that Christ’s sacrifice was the ultimate fragrant offering:

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV

As we become more like Christ, our lives too become fragrant offerings to the Lord … pleasing aromas of the sacrifice of self.   Just as Paul gave clear instruction on what we were to “put off,”  he also offers us guidance about “putting on” the righteousness of Christ.

What are these traits that are fragrant to the Lord?

  • Gracious speech – As we put away our foolish speech, we replace it with kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32).
  • Discerning hearts – We lay aside the covetous desires of the old life and find instead wisdom and discernment about what is “good and right and true” (5:8-10).
  • Thankful attitudes – Pursuing Christ, we move beyond the bitterness and anger of the flesh and instead diligently live in gratitude for the work of the Lord in us and around us (5:19-20).
  • Personal sacrifice – The change is us is best seen as we give up our excess and instead live sacrificially, learning to submit to others and seek their best instead of our own (5:21).

You are probably thinking – much like I am – HOW is this accomplished?  These changes are not small and certainly not simple.   In fact, we are unable to make the leap into these traits on our own.    By the grace of God, we don’t have to do this on our own … He gives us instruction and direction about how to “put on” Christlikeness, how to become that pleasing aroma to Him.

Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4:23-24 ESV

It is the renewal of our minds that changes us!  Not our actions or thoughts or intentions but as Paul shares in Romans, we are transformed  through Him, through obedience to Him, through living for Him.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  Romans 12:1-2 ESV

We are called to present ourselves as living sacrifices … Oh that the sacrifice of our lives would be a fragrant offering, a pleasing aroma to Him.

How has God worked in you to renew your mind, to bring you more into Christlikeness?

The Oneness of Us

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It’s hard to examine the biblical call to oneness without first considering the Lord’s prayer for His followers found in John 17…

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,  that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21 (ESV) 

It was the cry of Christ’s heart that we would be one with Him and one with one another just as He and the Father are one. It’s an unmistakeable, unshakeable, unchangeable oneness that exists to resonate the reality of Christ to the world.

As you read through Ephesians 4:1-16, you find that Paul’s call to the Ephesian church echoes the very same heart of oneness.

In Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul stresses the eminence of oneness inherent to the Christian faith as he stresses that part of God’s call to walk worthy is the consistent pursuit of unity.

Since there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father, then it only stands to reason that part of our DNA as Christians should be the obvious manifestation of the oneness of us.

The problem is we are all flawed and fallible people with different personalities and backgrounds. In fact, Paul’s call to oneness falls in context with his reminder that God’s “grace-gifts” were given to each of us according to His own choosing. Those varying gifts that make us unique are the very things God uses to demonstrate the oneness of His body.

When we are unified, yielded to and walking in the Spirit and fully functioning in our giftedness, the body of Christ becomes like a well-oiled machine producing Christlikeness as a testament to the world that we are His and He is Lord.

Ephesians 4:13-16 tells us that our unity develops and demonstrates the following:

♥ MATURITY – “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”

♥ STRENGTH & WISDOM – “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes”

♥ LOVE – “Rather, speaking the truth in love” “when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love”

♥ SUBMISSION & TEAMWORK – “we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly”

Unity is how we grow…it’s how we function as a body! We’re all on the same team. Not just the local church, but the church of God as a whole. We accomplish more when we work together hand-in-hand, side-by-side – cheering each other on and impacting a world for Christ.

Colossians 2:19 says we are knit together. As one body we are woven together like threads of a beautiful tapestry. Each strand holds its own unique color and texture, but when laced together with the others it becomes a stunning work of art. Our giftedness, our races, our cultural and even denominational backgrounds add beauty to the body of Christ. When the body of Christ is unified it’s like a beautiful work of art displayed in the museum of life.

Our unity – the oneness of us – validates our love for one another and communicates Christ in us to a lost a dying world. Our oneness is an answer to the Lord’s prayer!

As we examine the oneness of us today, I can’t help but wonder if anyone reading this is struggling in a relationship with a brother or sister in Christ. If that’s you, please get that thing right today.

What are some ways disunity can hurt the cause of Christ? 

Do you struggle with unity with other believers because of differences or difficulties?

What are some ways to deal with disunity in the body?

Grace in the past-tense

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There are some things I’d prefer to not have in past-tense…

such as, “when I didn’t have gray hair and stretch marks.”

But in Jesus Christ, past-tense is a profound treasure. Past-tense is our hope.

And you weredead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, followingthe prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work inthe sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the bodyand the mind, andwere by naturechildren of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

ButGod, beingrich in mercy,because of the great love with which he loved us,evenwhen we were dead in our trespasses,made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved…

Ephesians 2:1-5 (ESV)

On our own, we were absolutely without hope.

We were dead in our sin – because of that fateful day in the Garden, we were born dead in our sins. And we chose to continue walking in our sin, day by day living in blind rebellion against God. We aligned ourselves with His enemy, we lived to gratify our desires. We were children of wrath, deserving His judgment and facing God’s certain wrath against each and every one of our many sins.

But God.

But God chose to extend His mercy to us. We could not earn it – He offered it to us when we were dead and rebellious.

But God loved us with a great and inexplicable love. We could not earn it – He lavished it upon us when we were far from loving Him.

But God took us out of our chosen darkness and brought us into His glorious light. We could not earn it – we were actively following the evil one.

But God took us when we were dead and brought us to life. We could not earn it – we were spiritually dead and could do nothing good in and of ourselves.

But God turned us from children of wrath to His own chosen heirs. We could not earn it – He simply chose to us as His own.

When we accept what is offered to us in Christ, our dark, ugly, painful, rebellious past is… past-tense.

This is grace, dear friends. We bring nothing to the table. Nothing that would make us acceptable, lovable, worthy of His affection. He chose to lavish us with His mercy and grace and love – and puts our past in the past-tense.

Praise Him for turning your life upside down! [If you’re reading via email or a reader and the video below does not appear, please click through! It’s two minutes well spent!]

Man’s Sin Nature

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Our passage today is Ephesians 2:1-3. In these verses, Paul paints a serious picture of our relationship with a Holy God before we are saved. None of us can say like Switzerland in World War II, “I’m neutral.” We are sinners. As sinners, we have been drafted into the battle. And before you met Christ, you were on the wrong side.

Here is how Paul describes you before conversion: You were dead in trespasses and sins, following the course of the world, following the prince of the power of the air. You were a son of disobedience who lived in the passions of the flesh. You were “by nature, children of wrath.”

The Bible is clear about our standing before our conversion. It’s hard to swallow though. Because of God’s holiness and our sin, it’s definitely a “if you’re not for me, you’re against me” scenario. In order to go from children of wrath to children of God’s, we must waive the white flag and surrender.
You probably have coworkers, friends, and family members who are still on the wrong side. I know the pain this causes. We must remember they are held captive by the prince of the power of the air! As we will study later in Ephesians, our battle is “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness” (Eph. 6:12), not against coworkers, friends or family members! Continue to pray for them. When they do something or sinful, remember they are being deceived. Focus your anger not on them, but against the enemy who holds them captive. My husband often reminds me, “You can’t expect lost people to act like saved people.”

Praise God He doesn’t leave us in our sin, as children of wrath! Come back tomorrow as Kristi picks up with verse four which starts, “But God….”

Authority of Christ

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Kristi explored Ephesians 1:16-20 last week. Our passage today expands on her thoughts. We will look at Ephesians 1:20-23.

“…that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion,and above every name that is is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is the body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

In this passage we see the supremacy of Christ. He has authority over all things. Sitting at the right hand of kings in past days was the highest position possible. What is Christ doing at God’s right hand? Hebrews 7:25 says He “always lives to make intercession for them,” for sinners like you and me!

He is superior to any other authority, power, or dominion because He is perfect. His motives are always pure. His actions are always holy. Have you heard the phrase, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely”? That doesn’t apply to Christ. His absolute power does not corrupt, rather His power keeps the earth spinning and our lives conforming to His will.

This is not only true of the earth now, but the future age. During the thousand year reign after the end of the tribulation, Christ will reign and those who did not worship the antichrist will reign with Him (Revelation 20:4).

Christ is not only the ruler of the earth, but He is the head of the church. Ephesians 5:23 also gives this description, “Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its savior.” As the head, Christ leads and guides the church to fulfill the mission He has given her. All the decisions we make should be led by Christ’s example and His guidance.

In this passage we see Christ’s authority over earth, the future age, and the church. We can praise His name for His power and love, trusting that His authority is perfect and true!

The same mighty power

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Yesterday, Stephanie gave us a peek into the apostle Paul’s prayer life. Today, we’re going to focus in on one portion of his prayers for the Ephesian believers, listening at the door of his prayer closet and fixing our attention on Ephesians 1:19-20.

…and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places…

Now, as we study through this epistle (or letter), it is very important that we:

  1. Keep Paul’s statements in context – look at the verses before this short section. Paul is recounting how he constantly thanks God for these believers in Jesus, and prays that God would give them wisdom and deepen their understanding of Him.
  2. Understand what he is really saying. It’s easy to get lost in the many connecting phrases in Paul’s infamously long sentences! We need to look closely at what his main points are. One method of study that is always very helpful for me is a mechanical outline – spacing the phrases to show the  logical flow of thought. Like this:

From doing this, we see that Paul’s main request in this portion of the prayer he prays for these believers is – that they may know on a deep level

  • the hope God has called us to,
  • the glorious inheritance He has given us,
  • and the greatness of His power in our lives.

These verses struck me so much when I studied through this passage a few weeks ago. You see, I don’t doubt for a minute that my God is powerful. I sing with my children – “my God is so big, so strong and so mighty there’s nothing my God cannot do!” I believe it with all my heart. I believe that God made this whole beautiful, incredible world. I believe that He is completely sovereign and supreme over everything in the universe. I believe He holds this big world and my little life in His hands.

But… how often do I begin to think, deep down, that my problems and needs are too much for Him? That He cannot redeem the darkest nights of my soul? Wonder if He will be able to transform me – even on my worst days where my old sin nature shines through – into the image of His dear Son?

Notice what this verse says –

The power of His Holy Spirit in my life is the same awesome power that brought Jesus from broken death to glorious life. The power of God in my life is the same power that rolled that stone away and revealed a glorified Jesus walking out of his own grave.

The same power.

Oh, that we would know the hope and glorious inheritance we have in Jesus – and may He cause us to know, really know, that it is His same power that is at work in our lives! Notice Paul didn’t pray that God would give them power – He prayed that they would realize that they already had it in Jesus!

What is heavy on you today, friend? How impossible the problem, how staggering your sin?

May God open the eyes of your heart to see today how big our God really is – and that His power has never changed.

I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 1:16-20, NLT

I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom[f] and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.[g] 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Paul on Prayer

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When you read through the Pauline epistles, you can’t help but notice that Paul was a man of prayer. In every one of his letters he mentions prayer. At times, he asks for prayer (Romans 15:30-33, Colossians 4:2-4), sometimes he explains how to pray or what the church should be praying for (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Timothy 2:1) and in most of his epistles he prays about how thankful he is for the church of the Living God.

An exhaustive study of Paul’s prayers reveal his heart for God and his heart for the church. Each prayer is rich with lessons that can change our own prayer life.

When he wrote to the church at Ephesus, he mentioned two specifics prayers he was praying for the body of Christ in that Greek city on the west coast of Asia Manor. They are found in Ephesians 1:15-19 and 3:14-21.

Paul’s prayers for the church of Ephesus have become prayers our own hearts often echo. Prayers for our families, our friends and ourselves.

Paul prayed because he knew it mattered – he understood that prayer changes things. Paul knew that prayer was getting ahold of Heaven for the needs we have on this earth – asking the God of heaven to intervene in the affairs of man.

Sometimes people don’t pray because they don’t think they know how. Maybe some don’t believe their prayers matter. Perhaps they have a hard time believing God will really respond to the cries of their heart or maybe they just don’t realize the gift they have beautifully packaged the privilege of prayer.

And while this example falls woefully short in significance, prayer is kind of like voting. Your prayer counts…it matters…it can change a destiny.

One prayer caused the sun to stand still. One prayer caused fire to come down from heaven. One prayer caused the Creator of the Universe to speak to Abraham, Moses, Jacob and David.

Do you think your one prayer is any less significant when it stems from a heart of faith?

If you struggle with how to pray, what to pray for or if you’re wondering if God will hear your prayer, take a look at what Paul’s prayers looked like in his prayer for the Ephesian church:

Thankfulness – Paul was thankful for the faith and love displayed by the church at Ephesus (I have not stopped thanking God for you).

Consistent Prayer – Paul was consistently thankful and consistently prayerful. (I pray for you constantly)

Wisdom & Insight – Paul was concerned enough about the spiritual growth of the church to pray for them. (that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him)

Enlightenment – Paul knew that only God could shed spiritual light on their understanding. He prayed they would have a confident hope and understand their calling in light of their position in Christ. (the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling,what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints).

Power & Strength – Paul prayed for the Ephesian church to understand and walk in the power that was theirs through Christ – to be strong. (that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being).

God’s Unmistakeable & Welcomed Presence – When Paul prayed, “Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him” he used the word “dwell” meaning to settle, to find His home there, as well as govern and prompt. Paul prayed that the church would be surrendered to God’s work in their individual hearts and in their midst.

Love – That they would grasp the depth of the love God has for them which would enable them to fully become who they were created to be. (to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God).

Worship – Paul finishes up his prayer with words of praise for the Living God and in so doing, he gives the Ephesian church (and us) a glimpse of what worship looks like. (Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen)

If you ever feel as though you aren’t sure what to pray for, you can always follow Paul’s lead as you pray for your family, your friends, the church and even yourself like he did.

Does Paul’s example of prayer help you in your own prayer life? What other lessons can we learn from Paul’s prayers for the Ephesian church? What does your prayer life reveal about your heart?

By the way – since we’re talking about prayer today – would you make it a matter of prayer to pray for the Scripture Dig team this weekend while we speak and minister to some wonderful women in Pigeon Forge?

Signed, sealed, and safely delivered

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My daughter, Sarah, and her fiancé, Justin, are getting married June 18th. We’ve been busy with a variety of exciting wedding tasks. For instance, I’ve helped make program fans, address invitations, and create darling “ribbon wands” for the guests to wave during the send off.

Justin presented Sarah with the ring during a sweet proposal in the park last July. Beautiful, old-fashioned filigree work surrounds the diamond. It suits her perfectly. The ring constantly reminds Sarah that the wedding is coming, that Justin has promised to marry her.

In Ephesians 1:14, Paul uses the Greek word arrhabon to describe the Holy Spirit. Arrhabon, which can be translated as “earnest” or “deposit,” also refers to an engagement ring in modern Greek. Like an engagement ring, the Holy Spirit is a constant reminder of God’s promises to us.

Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance… Ephesians 1:13-14

As Sandra shared with us yesterday, from beginning to end, our salvation is a work of God. God “regenerates” us or gives us new spiritual life through His Spirit (John 3:3-6). Once “dead” in our transgressions and sins, God made us alive through the “regenerating” presence of His Spirit (Eph 2:1,5). (Kristi will dig into this a little more next week.)

In addition to regeneration, the Holy Spirit does some very specific work in a new Christian. Ephesians 1:13-14 uses two phrases/terms to describe what the Holy Spirit does in our life the moment we are saved.

  • We are “marked in Him with a seal.”
  • He is our “deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.”

The Holy Spirit “marks” or “seals” believers. In the ancient world, a wax seal was often used on letters, documents, or containers as a mark of ownership, identification, or authenticity. When God saves us, He marks us with His Spirit, to prove we belong to Him. The Holy Spirit gives us emotional and spiritual assurance of our salvation. Also, like a seal, the Spirit’s presence protects us from Satan and his activity.

God also gives us His Spirit as a deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promises. The Spirit is a “down payment,” giving us a taste of what we will fully experience with God when we get to heaven. Like an engagement ring on a young woman’s hand, the Holy Spirit constantly reminds us of God’s eternal intentions. He is God’s gift of peace and security for every believer.

In what ways does the Holy Spirit remind you that you belong to God?

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