February 8, 2024

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“So, Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4.11-13)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD (Part 3 of 3):

Paul speaks of such a challenge to the faith in Christ community of Ephesus with the following charge:

      “…become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

What is the “whole measure of the fullness of Christ”? I submit that simply defined, as if it were simple in fulfilling the call to live so worthily, “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” is love. In the practice of being a loving person in its authentic and truest sense, we are known as His disciples; we will be able to fulfill the Law and the Commandments; we will honor God with our words, actions and thoughts as well as be able to withstand the attack of the enemy who opposes both God and His people who dare to “go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.” So far, only Christ has been able to accomplish that expression of love to its completion. And in that accomplishment which comes by faith, He is able to enjoy the fruit of it as abiding in both Heaven and earth having been raised to the one and having overcome the other. Mighty ones of God it is promised to us as well upon His return. When He returns as the true judge of all humanity, indeed of all creation, Heaven and earth will be reborn into one essential dwelling place of God. We, who pursue accepting the challenge to live by faith in hope with love, share be called into that place and live forever in the glorious presence of God. It is Jesus’ greatest hope, I believe, that so many will be able to enjoy that eternal moment with Him. It is His greatest sorrow, I believe, that so many will refuse the invitation and make for themselves something less than wholeness believing it is all that is needed.

So, what then might the call to maturity look like? I have to think that Micah 6.8 would be the best scriptural exposition of Christian maturity: to “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.” Let’s consider each of these briefly knowing there will be more to see, hear and understand as we go along.

Act justly, love mercy…WALK HUMBLY: From the wisdom of Solomon we hear “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16.18) What I have noticed to be called wisdom is simply the obvious which “can” be observed in the normal course of life but is not. There are times when the obvious is observed but refuted or refused. Some people might call that stupid and in the words of Jeff Foxworthy, “Here’s your sign.” Most all of us have observed the folly of pride and arrogance. The consequences of destruction and grievous disappointment may be long in coming but still unavoidable. Time will be the true judge of all things; at least the one who is the author and director of time. In a sad dialogue with a young man online who, for whatever reason, claimed to be the Messiah and challenged everyone to accept it or disprove it, the question of “timing” was presented to me. I had suggested that what he claimed could not be true because it wasn’t “time” yet. He responded with “If you are so biblically smart, then you tell me what time the Messiah will come.” I, of course, quoted Jesus’ own words “No one but the Father in Heaven knows the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will appear; not even He will know the time until the Father tells Him.” After some dispute on his part, I left him with Proverbs 26.4 which ended the conversation. (Later his post was pulled down.) Timing is everything. You can ask Jeff Foxworthy or any comedian and they will confirm it as they have seen it “time and again.” So, too, is it obvious to all (whether they deny or affirm) destruction and disappointment are the fruitless results of pride and arrogance. There is much to be gained from “walking humbly.”

Being able to “walk humbly” is a true sign of maturity. Let’s address false humility quickly and in short order. I do not want to spend much time on the obvious. Self-denial does not mean putting off accolades and recognition for motivating thoughts and actions. To make light of such compliments and recognitions actually lowers the person who is offering them to you. To do so make them feel unworthy and immature or you a fool. Self-denial means to not live with “self as the first priority;” survival aside in most all instances. Sometimes, as Jesus showed us on the cross, survival in this world is not all that it is made up to be. He who was without sin could have easily survived in this world because “this world was not His home.” He could have called down 10,000 angels and defeated the opposition to His ministry and perform a Maccabean reformation of the Temple. He could have obliterated Rome’s occupation and swept away the false rulers of the Temple with a finger snap or more likely just a command. But, He denied His own self survival in order that we might survive the greatest trial our lives would ever face: eternal damnation and the torture of never-ending death. Taking on the penalty for our sins was in exchange for us receiving the opportunity to dwell in the House of the Lord forever. Jesus walked humbly to the cross and fulfilled scripture in doing so: “Like a sheep before its shearers, it utters not a sound.” (Isaiah 53.7) There was no kicking or screaming. There was no crying out for justice or reparations. There was no blaming others for what was happening to Him. And, He was not actually silent because He spoke blessing, encouragement and truth to those who loved Him and whom He loved. Even the cry to His Father in Heaven was a profession of faith and not a moment of derision.

His humble walk through the lands of Israel from north to south, east to west, modeled true humility because they were measured by authentic righteousness. Mighty ones of God, if we are to walk humbly it is to: prioritize life over death; God and others over self; love over vengeance; serving over being served; needs over wants; peace over pressure; and ever at the ready to “lay down one’s life for another as fulfills all the commands which God has given.”

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, before we were conceived in the womb, You had already formed us in Your love and by Your Spirit spoke us into being. Each one of us is blessed with the opportunity of doing right, being good and producing the fruit of the Spirit so that others may be fed the truth of that same love so that the two will become one. It is our soul’s sincere desire to embrace the oneness You have in mind that we would know that we are Your people and that You are our God. Lead us in that discovery of the truth and the manifestation of that love for us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.