This is What I Was, But This is What I am Now, Part 2
- Terry Sweeney
- Aug 16, 2009
August 16, 2009
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
The Rev. W. Terry Sweeney
This-is-what-I-was-but-this-is-what-I-am-now Part 2
“In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul sets out telling us what God has done for us and in turn what we do for God as a response. When we disconnect from the reality of Christ and act differently from His intention for us we find brokenness – broken relationships that are like splintered bones in great need of a surgeon. Paul shows us that not only is Jesus the mender of our broken bones – relationships gone bad through even worse behavior – but because we are His body are also menders cooperating with the Great I Am.”
In the Name of God: + Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Last week we began looking at St. Paul’s letter to the Church and surrounding area of Ephesus.
In particular we were looking at the section I tagged as the This-is-what-I-was-but-this-is-what-I-am-now section of Chapter 4. . . covering vs. 17-5:2.
What St Paul is saying is that through Grace God has revealed His Son to you and through the super natural ministry of the Holy Spirit God is making a new you.
Additionally, because He has revealed Himself to you and you have responded to Him (in faith) your response to Him must include a volitional response to want to be made something new. . . . you yourselves must desire a new life and do what you can to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to become new.
What’s at work here is both supernatural and voluntary cooperation with the Holy Spirit.
This is described as putting on the new man and taking off the old man.
A work only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit but at the same time in need of human will willing to change.
Ephesus, like many metropolitan areas was also ripe with adultery, prostitution, cheating, lying, stealing, and homosexuality. . . . temple prostitution – the worship of pagan deities – magic – were all thriving in this city and region. . . . .
But so was the gospel thriving and converts to Christ were apparent not just in the city but in the outlying regions.
There was a strong pull to act out the culture – take on it’s values – But there was also the call of Christ through the missionary work of the Church empowered by the Holy Spirit to put on a new way of life.
There were clear differences in the morals and ethics of the prevailing cultural and that of the Christ follower.
This was no fairy tale transition - The Christ follower had to live in the culture – work, play, shop, participate but the question was always “In what way will I live? By what standards?
Out of this climate of declining culture and evangelical fervor comes this letter and in it we find narrative and instruction that sounds very much like this-is-what-you-were-but-this-is-what-you’re-to-be-like. . . let’s look:
Paul then begins to give specific examples of behaviors and attitudes that have to be replaced.
The things he lists are not necessarily everything these followers of Christ have to change but perhaps they’re the ones that come to mind or maybe they’re the ones that seem to be most abused at the time. Certainly the ones Christ has put on his mind.
25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
A significant part of following after Christ is to remain in unity with Him and one another.
The single most important thing that unifies believers around the world is their faith in the Jesus described in the scripture and taught by the Apostles’
It’s not church politics, or structure or popularity – it’s Jesus. Jesus is the flashpoint of our unity.
As such then we are called to abide in Him as He abides in the Father and in so doing obey Him and His command to remain in Him and be His body.
The world will know we are His disciples if we obey Christ.
When Paul says to put off falsehood and to speak truthfully we’re to do what Zechariah said in 8:16 which is to, “. . . speak truth with his neighbor” which Romans 12:5 goes on to say because “we are members of one another.”
Certainly with one another but especially with non-believers we must develop a reputation of telling the truth with love and candor or as Col. 4:5 says “tell no lies to one another”.
Lying breaks down trust which cripples the community of faith – it breaches our personal covenants with one another and keeps us at arms length with each other. The effect it has on the outside community is even worse because when lied to they conclude “we” are no different from anyone else . . . . and in some respect we could say that is true inasmuch as we are all sinners . . . the unique place we have with Christ however must be considered.
The life of the “old man” is old and worn out, so to speak – so putting on the “new man” brings a new start, new beginning – God through the Holy Spirit will supernaturally remakes us into a holy form of humanity in Christ’s image where lying is as foreign as donkeys flying.
26"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold.
This verse literally says, “Be you angry/wrathful (orgizesthe) and do not sin (hamartanete) the sun not sit on provocation (parorgismo)of you.”
There are two different forms of anger discussed here.
Both forms are rooted in the word orge which is anger that comes out of our impulsive nature - that is anger looking for revenge and some kind of punishment for the offender.
Obviously this isn’t a holy or righteous anger like God might express – this is anger that comes out of our fallen nature that can easily lead to sin. (Esp. if we act on it.)
It’s also not the kind of anger that is holy; anger that hates what God hates (Mark 3.5)
So we hear Paul say – do not let your anger lead you into sin or when we are angry to fall into sin as a result. . . . . . because unlike God human expression of anger (righteous or otherwise) is unlike God who can be both filled with love and wrath at the same time.
We have to be very careful to control our anger – the best way to do that is to strive to refrain from it; so it is best for us neither be angry nor provoke it (Col. 3.8; Eph. 6.4).
James 1.19 teaches, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry . . .”
The second form of anger is at the end of the verse – he uses the word parorgismo which is translated as wrath and means anger that is provoked, comes out of exasperation and is sudden and violent . . . . . it’s not the sort of anger that comes from a chronic bad disposition but more like a sudden anger where we might say someone blew their stack or blows up!
When you blow up in anger because you feel provoked and exasperated don’t try to
justify your anger and let it linger and fester.
Don’t obsess over it with a self righteous attitude – and don’t look for outside support and fuel to keep the anger going – resolve it as quickly as possible . . . before the sun goes down . . . in other words that day or within a short time.
Why?
v. 27 tells us so the devil won’t gain a victory using our anger against us.
The KJV renders this verse as, “Neither give place to the devil.” The word translated “place” is topos which means a portion of space.
Don’t give the devil any space or place in your life to occupy himself – take up residence.
In other words, don’t give the devil that sort of foothold. Don’t allow anger to become the tool that opens space for the devil to enter and take hold of.
28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
We know that Ephesus had a culture where lying and stealing were common place, so it would be natural to find an admonition regarding stealing in this list.
So even though we don’t exactly know who he was talking to or why we can assume it had something to do with the time and the cultural reality – stealing was an issue.
The impulse to take what is not ours seems to be inborn – part of the dark side of our nature.
We see something – we’re attracted to it – we decide to take it – but it’s not ours – it belongs to a store, the company we work for, a stranger, a friend, a coworker – we weigh the probably of getting caught – we decide its worth the risk – and we take it, eat it or what ever – nonetheless the impulse was acted out and we’ve stolen something.
The news often carries stories about car jackings, bank robberies, pirates on the east coast of Africa, home intrusions (Who has not seen the Brinks now Broadview Security!)
But there’s also theft of emotions, and time and our identities . . . . .
Look every single day companies experience theft on what the thief would call “nothing”.
Postage for personal mail,
personal business on the telephone,
pens, paper, we steal time by goofing off on the internet or talking to friends on twitter, or email – we browse the net and waste time or do personal business on company time – that stealing of time.
Imagine how we’d howl if someone said we would not get paid for the time we stole or somehow had to pay it back!?
It may have been the case that some of the readers/listeners of this letter were at one time petty thieves who once made a living through stealing.
Maybe they’re tempted every so often to steal something but know they shouldn’t – this reinforces the admonition doesn’t it?
Instead of stealing Paul tells them to “do something useful with your hands” . . . .
Here’s the big twist !!!!! So you may have something to share with those in need.”
Not only do honest hard work earn your living – but – be prepared to give some of what you earn to those who are in need (Widows and orphans come to mind).
Once a thief but now a hard working person who helps others! What a turnaround!!
He challenges them to have a disposition of hard work with a generous spirit . . . many work hard but are not generous . . . . Paul calls his readers to do both!
He also wants to encourage the “church” to develop a Godly ethic of honesty throughout the body regardless of social status, age or gender. . . .
In Titus he’s instructed slaves not to steal from their masters but instead to show good faith in everything. (2:9-10).
1 Cor. 4.12 Paul uses his life as an example, “And we labor working with our own hands, when reviled we bless; when persecuted we endure . . . .”
Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica saying, “For you remember brothers our toil and hardship; by night and day (we were) working at our trades, in order not to be a burden to you while we proclaimed to you the Gospel of God.”
Christ being Paul’s example, Paul then spearheaded a campaign for the new gentile/Jewish congregations to give aid to the poor in Jerusalem thereby showing a unity in Christ (Acts 24.17; Ro. 15.26).
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
The Philips translation translates this as “let no Foul Language come out of your mouths”
The Revised Standard version says, “Evil Talk”; The New English Bible, “Bad Language” and the New American Standard, “Unwholesome words”.
The word translated here as “unwholesome” has an interesting set of usages: It can mean rotten, or putrid, decayed or poor quality, even worthless.
Foul – evil – bad language – unwholesome words covers a range of things from swearing to gossip.
If you can smell or picture spoiled fish or rotted peaches or bananas you get the picture.
Don’t let your words grieve the Holy Spirit because they smell like spoiled fish or rotting fruit.
Most often when we’re angry – envious – jealous – hurt – or anything but at ease and peace we spew out “Unwholesome talk” that is foul or evil.
That’s when we’re tempted to let it spew out.
Our tongues can bless God one minute and curse the next – James is correct when he describes it as a small but powerful tool to for good or for harm.
Here we’re to train our words to be life giving and not death dealing; helpful and not hurtful. (Pleasing to God and not grieving the Holy Spirit.)
The children’s rhyme that says, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” isn’t true – words do hurt – words have meaning and carry an infinite power that can heal when used wisely or destroy when thrown about recklessly.
30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Paul mentions six specific conditions once again related to speech: Bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander and malice.
How this must grieve the Holy Spirit of God.
It is the Holy Spirit who produces His fruit in us – who transforms us from sinner to saint – from the old man to the new man.
So when we consciously pollute our minds by acts of deceit, words that are like rotten fish, bitterness, spite or envy it grieves the Holy Spirit.
When I say “grieving the Holy Spirit” I’m not saying this cuts off the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 5.19) but is an ungrateful slap which cuts to the heart of the matter.
Bitterness is an irritated state of mind that keeps us on the edge of wrath. . . . . a person may claim to be okay but their constant harshness and uncharitable opinions show otherwise.
Bitterness has been described as the condition that makes us sour, crabby, repulsive in the general way we carry ourselves whether it’s a constant scowl over a face, or a biting tongue. . . . bitterness eats at the lining of our souls.
Rage and anger are two closely related words the first being thymos which is like a turbulent commotion (but not quite a brawl) but nonetheless with agitated feelings expressed in hot outbursts.
The second is Orge where the anger is at a steady point not getting worse and not getting any better . . . . . it’s like just being mad and nothing is making it worse and nothing is making it better.
Brawling is a noisy arguing and quarreling – not quite a fight – but loud yelling with boisterous recrimination of people who have completely lost their temper with one another.
Slander and Malice. Slander in this letter comes from the Greek word blasphemia from which we get blasphemy. If we took a literal meaning we’d get something close to railing or slander in the sense of abusive speech that is harmful to the reputation of someone.
Malice on the other hand comes from the word which means bad-heartedness which is the root of all vices – a rotten heart.
In Paul’s admonition he says to replace falsehood with speaking the truth; sinful anger with anger w/o sin; stealing with productive work and sharing; corrupt speech with edifying words; bitterness with kindness, tenderness, love; slander and malice with thankfulness.
It can be argued that Paul seems to be laying out a bunch of “good manners” wisdom for the faithful to learn.
Be nice and watch your speech and don’t let your temper get the best of you! Make an effort guys to act civilized – be polite for goodness sakes!
Turn a new leaf – remake yourselves – develop new habits.
It’s all summed up here v. 32 and following - “32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 5:1, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
There we have it – the real reason: Just as in Christ God forgave you!
If we consider the thesis that at one time we wore the worn out clothing of “the old man” and engaged in cultural behaviors, beliefs that grieved the Holy Spirit and were an affront to God yet while we yet sinners Jesus Christ died for us (Ro. 5:8)
Once understood in heart and mind by grace through faith we cannot go unchanged.
Paul’s not trying to lay out a set of rules for us to follow –
He’s revealing the character of God to us in which we are to imitate through the Holy Spirit working bit by bit in us.
5:1, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
We’re not following a set of new laws – but are shown the character of God in which we are to imitate –
It’s common to talk to people who have grown in Christ over the years and hear stories about how they’re less critical – or more understanding – less likely to take offense at someone –
Cooperating with the work of the Holy Spirit results in an abundant life. A life of integrity – proper relations – treating others with dignity while speaking the truth to them in love.
The life of the new man is Christ centered – slow to anger and quick to forgive.
It’s a life that almost seems storybook when compared to the hard line – sometimes bitter and getting even some of the culture practices.
Now through God’s grace and the work of the Holy Spirit we have a clear divide:
v. 25 Lying or speaking the truth;
v. 26 Sinful anger or righteous anger with out sin;
v. 28 Stealing or hard work and sharing;
v. 29 Harmful speech or words that build up;
v. 31 Bitterness and slander or kindness, and thankfulness.
Remember this list isn’t exhaustive – but it outlines what the Lord gave Paul to list.
If any of these items fit in your life – consider the Lord’s word these past two weeks.
I believe in and through Jesus we can all say This-is-what-I-was-but-this-is-what-I-am-now . . . . thanks be to God! Amen.
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