Today I read
Ephesians 4:7-16. My mind is bouncing all over the place - it's a rather wild Scripture!
On first read through these are the things that caught my attention and it may take a few forays into these verses to unpack them:
- In NIV Verse 7 speaks about "grace has been given as Christ apportioned it". Amplified says that grace was given to each of us "indiscriminately, but in different ways". NKJ puts it this way: "to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift". Apparently this isn't talking about the grace of salvation, yet, it is a grace that every Believer is given and in different "measures" or ways. Sounds to me like God treats each of us differently; has different plans for each of us. Isn't that interesting?!
- Verses 8 & 9 are real mind blowers. As is often the case, Paul is quoting out of the Old Testament. This time it's from Psalm 68:18. When I read that specific verse in context it talks about God's sanctuary and Him going "on high" -I'm assuming this is heaven, but it could be speaking of His sanctuary on earth. The one on earth could mean during the millennial Kingdom; sometimes in Scripture you'll see this has happened, is happening, and will happen in the future, all at once kind of reference. Add to that the fact that it's using this Psalms reference in Ephesians and saying that "He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to man" (NKJ). What does that even mean? Who are the captives that he ascended on high to take captive and how does this relate to gifts He's giving to man? Then, this Old Testament reference is connected to the idea of Him ascended but also descended. It would seen that the ascended would mean to Heaven but I'm unclear if the descended part means coming to earth or somewhere else; Hell maybe? NIV puts it: "descended to the lower regions", NKJ says: "first descended into the lower parts of earth", NET comes out and says "he also descended into the lower regions, namely, the earth". There's the fact that Paul is juxtaposing that Jesus ascended on high with the fact that He was in the lower regions - why is that significant? What's he saying?
- In verse 10 I see this proclamation that Jesus did the ascending and descending so that He might, as Amplified puts it, "that He [His presence] might fill all things [that is, the whole universe]". What does it mean that His presence fills all things? What is the impact and practical implications of that? How, or does, His sacrificial death on the cross relate to this? What does this all mean to me, today?
- Verse 7 lays the groundwork for verses 11 & 12 which refer pack to this concept of God "apportioning" something to His followers. In these verses I read that He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Does this mean that every follower of Christ is one of these? Do all other ways of relating and building up Christ's Church relate to one of these? I've heard so much said about this but I want to dig into this with fresh new eyes and hear from God.
- In verse 13 I see the reason for the giving of these gifts - unity and knowledge of Christ in the body and working with Christ's followers until they are mature, "attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (NIV). What does the "whole measure" mean verses the partial measure? What's the "fullness of Christ"? What do these things look like?Verse 14 sheds some light on what it means to have fullness, when we have it we aren't infants any more. Infants are described as those who are easily persuaded by people who are not teaching God's truth. There's the implication that there are people with untrue teaching that are trying to lead people astray. The verse speaks of infants who are "tossed back and forth" (NIV) by these false teachings. This theme of false teaching is one that is seen repeatedly in the Epistles, so I assume it's a point God really wants me to get.
- Verse 15 contrasts the immature follower with the mature one. Again I see this description about the mature one being "like Christ in everything"(The Message). Verse 15 also describes the mature one as someone who speaks" the truth in love" (NIV). What does speaking the truth in love look like? Social media is a whole world of alleged truth speakers, but what about the love? Can we have a good cause or belief but mess it all up by not having the love? I find myself thinking about 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 where it talks about great things we can do-speak in heavenly languages, have incredible faith that makes things happen, give to the poor, endure great physical hardship-and says they are worthless without love. What does this say about the value of love - is love truly greater than everything else? Is love the foundation? What is this love?
- Verse 16 brings out these gifts again and indicates that they are for building up the body of Christ, His followers. The Message puts this verse this way: "We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love." What does Christ being the source of everything I do look like? How does His blood flow through me - what does that mean? This verse puts such an emphasis on the connectedness of Christ's followers.Do I have a deep level of connectedness with other Believers? How can I achieve that?
I have off work for the next 4 days, thanks to a weekend followed by a Monday and then a Tuesday Holiday I'm able to use 1 vacation day on Monday and get 4 days off in a row. So I'm looking forward to taking some time each day to take a bullet point at a time and go over that. Today I'm going to need to stop but I just want to take a moment and thank God.
Oh Father, I thank You that You've given me Your written Word. Thank You that You, the great and awesome God, would ever want to speak to me. Thank You for being so interesting. Thank You that Your Word is alive and valuable and that Your Holy Spirit speaks to me through it. Thank You that You stimulate my mind to question and seek and come into more of Your truth. Oh Holy Spirit, be my teacher. As I look into what others say and let their thoughts stimulate my own, please help me to always see what You want me to see. As I leave this time with You right now, I have so much more to get out of these verses, but Holy Spirit please empower me to love. I'm at home today and I think I'll just be hanging out with John. Help me be a loving wife and friend to him today. It doesn't do me any good to look into Your Word if I'm a complainer or difficult person when I walk away. May the words I speak today be ones of gratefulness, encouragement, and truth. Thank You God for Your love.
