February 23, 2024

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” (Ephesians 4.25)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

We are aware of the command to “…love our neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19.18) It is the second greatest commandment, second only to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength.” Jesus taught that these two commands were the basis and sum total of all the Law and the Prophets. He would continue to teach the expansion of that second commandment to include “love your enemy and love one another.” In truth, Jesus placed such importance on the community of faith to “love one another” that He instituted it as a new commandment by which all Christians should abide. It did not supersede or put aside the greatest of the commandments. Rather, it brought home the importance of building up the community of faith as an example which was diametrically opposed to the abuses found in all other religions. That would include most especially the religion of Judaism as it had become in the days of Jesus.

As Paul lifted up the expectations of living as a “faith in Christ community” and set it apart from all others, he called the Ephesians into a particular accountability of “bearing witness to their true identity as born again Christians.” It would seem that many within the community of faith were not seen in the outside world as being Christ followers. They must have enjoyed the opportunities to share in that fellowship while fearing serious repercussions of their neighbors finding out. It seems there is sadly little difference between then and now. It is not as if “history is repeating itself” but rather that it never ceased to stop practicing quiet faith and living in fear of the world over and against “the fear of the Lord which is…”, as scripture declares, “…the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 1.7a) if there is a true failing of the modern Church it is on this point that it has become silent in its connection with the gospel truth and purpose which is “…to make disciples of all nations, teaching them all that Christ commanded and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28.19-20) The world can never benefit eternally from a disobedient Church and the Church can never survive its momentary and persistent lapses of conviction to its commission.

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.