Ephesians 6

We have been exploring the Christian way of life that flows from the grace that we have received from God. In this life, we know that we will have sin, yet it is the Lord’s will to sanctify us. The blood of Christ is the power behind our new standing with God, but it is also the power for our growth in holiness. As those who have seen what holiness is in Christ, and who have been granted the Holy Spirit in us, we are given new resources for worship, for thankfulness, and for godly submission within the structures of authority that the Lord has established.

This kind of growth in grace is not only for adults, but also for young ones. Children can be filled with the Spirit too. Though they may not yet have the intellectual and emotional maturity that will come with more years, they can hear the law of life and seek what the Lord desires by the Holy Spirit. One of the most important things that they can do in living a life of love is to obey their parents in every way that would be pleasing to God. This is the right thing for a child to do, and pursuing this kind of obedient life comes with the extra encouragement of the Lord’s promise of blessing. If a child wants to have a long life of pursuing what is good, he can do no better than to listen respectfully and lovingly to his parents, and to pursue all of their lawful directives.

Parents, and particularly fathers, are given a commandment here as well. They are to bring up their little ones with the Lord’s nurture and with the Lord’s loving correction. They must seek the aid of God’s Spirit in avoiding the kind of ungodly frustration that does not help in the raising of their children, but tends to produce only anger in those they are trying to lead, rather than submissive and grateful hearts.

In whatever other relationships we may have within our households, or within work environments, or other social engagements of common enterprise, we should try to honor and obey those who have been placed in positions of authority above us, whether with our consent or without it. Those who are in charge are to use their positions of trust in a way of fatherly love, and not according to inappropriate impulses that lead to abuse. In all of these varied relationships we are aided by our consideration of our Lord’s love and our true desire to yield ourselves to His holy will. Even when we may have a human superior who is not particularly worthy, through our consideration of the Lord’s mysterious providence that has brought us into such a relationship, we can serve such a person from the heart, recognizing that when we submit in a difficult situation, our obedience is an offering of love to the Lord who was willing to die for us. The Lord is very willing to repay us in situations where we face some injustice with patience and faith, if not in this life, then in the next. He sees our tears, and he notes our submission to Him, though we may not understand His decrees in every situation. He is not partial to the slave above the master, or to the master above the slave, but He does take notice of the obedience of faith, especially in the midst of trial or distress.

In all situations, however difficult they may be, we are reminded that the source of our strength for this cross-love, this resurrection living, is the Lord Himself. Imagine that in our time of trial, it is the Lord that is giving us the spiritual resources that we need to be patient in affliction. We may not be able to mount up with wings as eagles; we may not be able to run or even to walk with any strength; yet if Christ has given us the grace to stand in Him in the evil day, then He has given us a tremendous gift that should not be despised. Are you standing in Jesus today under a difficult burden? Praise God! You are still standing.

With this in mind, put on the armor that God has for you to fight the good fight today. Do not consider other people to be your foremost enemies, but recognize that behind a Judas is some devil you cannot see. Even fallen angels have some purpose in the movements of the Lord’s good providence. There is a purpose in the cross, even though wicked men seemed to be doing their will through it. There is a higher plan being achieved in it according to the love and justice of the Almighty. Therefore you can put on the truth of Christ, the righteousness of Christ, the peace of Christ, the faith of Christ, and the saving power of Christ. Christ is the perfect warrior who continues to do battle for you. Use His Word as your supreme weapon, and use it with love and grace, remembering that you too have been saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally pray to God in all situations by the power of the Spirit who fills you. Pray with a firm acceptance that His will is better than your will, and that He is powerful in the vindication of His own holy Name. Pray for your sanctification and for holiness of the entire church. Pray that the Word of Christ would be boldly preached, and that it would be received eagerly by the power of God. And may God’s grace be with us as we travel together toward that Jerusalem that is above, where evil men and angels will no longer trouble the beloved of the Lord.