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Apostle Paul Addresses The Ephesians
Dave Mathews
EPHESIANS 5: 1-6, 8-13,18-20,21-25
Here comes Saul of Tarsus out to persecute Christian for their beliefs in Jesus Christ as the risen Lord, when finally Jesus says enough is enough, and calls out to Saul, asking him why he hates Jesus and why Saul continues to persecute not just Jesus, but the Christian movement.
Finally Saul sees the light at the end of the tunnel, the error of his ways, and makes an immediate "U-turn" to become the greatest ever Evangelist for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, throughout the world as recorded in the New Testament, and like Peter, Saul is given a new name by Jesus, calling him Paul.
The Apostle Paul has begun to establish God's church in Ephesis, a predominantly Gentile community, and as the people begin to become converted, he realizes that he must give them rules, guidelines, as to how they should not, just act before other, those not yet of the faith, but also, how they should appear before these people, so he begins to set down rules and guidelines as to how they should be acting and seen.
Paul tells the Ephesians, to be followers of God, they should be as dear children. Children act and think in simplistic manners, and look to those who offer loving nurturing care and authority, and until they learn otherwise, they offer love unconditionally to anyone who will receive it and return it in kind. Pauls tells the people to walk in love as Christ walked in love, willing to give of himself totally even to the point of sacrifice to God.
Paul then goes on to warn the people of the wickedness that they should avoid; fornication, uncleanness, covetessness. Avoid verbal filthiness, foolish talking, and jestures. He goes on to warn against whoremongering, idolaters, telling the people that these have no place in the Kingdom of Christ or God.
Paul tells them, that where they were once perceived as walking in darkness, doing all the wickedness he's mentioned, that now as followers of Christ, they should be seen as walking in the light of The Lord, setting an example for those not yet followers, or converted, in order to demonstrate to all, the fruits of the spirit, through goodness, righteousness, and truth so that they can avoid reproof by others.
Paul goes on to warn against such things as drunkenness, rather to be filled with the Holy Spirit, not alchoholic spirits. He also tells them that rather than to be seen speaking with others in a wrong way, it is better to be seen speaking to yourself is psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing in praise of the Lord. In other words, it is far better for people to see you worshipping God rather than gossipping, or being see with someone who might defile or corrupt you as men and women of God.
Paul then turns himself to addressing married couples, telling them to Submit themselves one to the other in the fear of God. Wives should submit themselves unto their husbands, as unto the Lord, meaning that as a woman when you give yourself, it should be freely, lovingly, not out of obligation, or fear of reprisal, or lustfulness, and they should view the husband as the loving nurturing head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church, and husbands should also love their wives as Christ loved the church and willingly gave of himself for it.
Tags: Paul , Addresses , Ephesians
