All In

Good Wednesday to you, 

When the stakes are high—being all in can be a scary thing. On Sunday morning, several people raised their hands saying "Yes, I'm a fan of James Bond and the 007 movies." I too am a big fan, not just because he's the hero, but because he is always all in. Sometimes, Bond appears as though he has not calculated the cost, but it never seems to stop him from saving the world and stopping the evil villain. We can't fault his tenacity and drive to the point of risking his own life.  

As we continue our journey through the last three chapters in Ephesians, we come to a point in Paul's writing that does not always sit well in our cultural climate. Paul spent the first three chapters laying out what it means to be "In Christ" (identity) and in the last three what it means to "be the Church."

Paul's instruction was quite simple: be wise, understand the Lord's will, and be filled with the Spirit. Easier said than done, right?! What does all that look like in practice? Well, he tells us that too—through mutual submission to one another out of our reference for Christ. Paul is harkening back to "Be imitators of God…just as Christ loved us and give himself up for us…" (Ephesians 5:1-2). He's pointing us back to Christ as our example for how to live. And, Christ was all in for the Church—the bride. 

Continuing on in the text, Paul addresses husbands and wives. In the first century, women did not have any rights and were treated as property. I read an account of a divorce that recorded the wife did not cook in a manner that pleased the husband. I would like to say we have come a long way in our relationships—especially marriages. But too many of us are familiar with divorce. We have, however, come a long way in elevating women from being property to being created in the Image of God. In a day and age when women were devaluated, Paul is pointing the Church in a different direction. He was pointing the Church to the idealized relationship between a husband and a wife. One characterized by sacrifice and respect. Who wouldn't want that in their marriage? 

Paul ultimately paints a picture of marriage as a reflection of the Church's relationship to Christ. Christ is the Head of the Church and presents her (us—the Church) "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:27). Christ was all in for the radiant Church whom he deeply loves. So much that he gave himself up for her! The picture Paul paints is beautiful, and it is one that we are called to live out daily as we shine the light of Christ in a dark world. I can't think of a better example to live by than Jesus Christ.  

I pray those around you see Christ in you today and are drawn to him! 

Blessings,  
Pastor John

If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!