Aloha and welcome to another edition of TCD. This week we close out Ephesians with an inspiring and challenging message from Paul.
Do you remember pre-game pump up speeches? Transport yourself back to high school, college, or your favorite sports movie with me for a moment. The coach or team captain would stand up and give an impassioned speech to the team. Regardless of how eloquent they were, they always managed to rally our enthusiasm for the contest. We'd always leave the locker room inspired to perform at the highest possible level. This Chapter, to me, reads like that pre-game pump up speech to us all.
“Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God. Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free.”
This may be one of my favorite passages in Ephesians. We are challenged by the text to surpass the bare minimum and achieve our absolute best possible effects. And with a great attitude nonetheless. Paul reframes our perspective to remind us that we are serving God always, not just whoever we happen to be working for in that moment. Haven't we all experienced a taste of the transcendent satisfaction that comes when we are doing truly great work? Regardless of the recognition and compensation we may receive on Earth, we understand that our diligent and faithful efforts are recognized by someone.
God is not just looking for us to be good at what we consider to be God-related things either. He wants us to be successful in our jobs, marriages, and everything else we are doing (maybe even Fantasy Football). We were designed and created by Him, so we honor Him by exercising our talents and maximizing our potential. He takes joy in watching us succeed in the same way we take joy in seeing those we have instructed achieve success. So go forth and live not to survive but to succeed in all that lies ahead of you!
“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.”
Paul is reminding us that we are in it. This is not some scrimmage where we can casually exude ourselves when comfortable, this is the championship game. We need to pull out all the stops and grasp everything we can from him to prepare ourselves so when the dust settles we will not be left with regret. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are the plays we have available to us to. We need to foster these virtues in our lives and expertly apply them. And we aren't left alone in this challenge.
“In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”
Our friends and family are all struggling through these same things. What Paul encourages us to do is to pray and look out for them so they can continue to make progress in the good fight. Collectively we possess the experiences and love to help them through it. Trying to do anything on your own is very difficult, we are social creatures and thrive on interactions with other people. It's what makes 'solitary confinement' so troubling. But introduce one other person to our scenario and it changes our whole outlook. Suddenly the weight, the run, the task is not nearly as challenging as it once appeared.
Practical Applications: 1. Whatever you find yourself tasked with, work at it with your full effort, do your best job, and keep a great attitude as to honor God with your work. 2. Exercise the timeless virtues (truth, righteousness, peace, and faith) in your life and team up with those near you to stay on track living the right way. We can and should give our absolute best because the world and our communities need our unique talents now more than ever.
Thus concludes our study of the Book of Ephesians. Next week we move into Philippians. Have a great week, like the post, leave a comment, and share with a friend.
-the contrary disciple