This month’s study was on the books of Galatians and
Ephesians. In Paul’s letter to the Galatian church, he writes to refute the
claims of some teachers, who taught that Gentile believers had to follow Jewish
law in order to be saved. As well as to call Christians to faith and freedom in
Christ. In his letter to the Ephesian church, Paul writes to strengthen the
believers in Ephesus in their Christian faith by explaining the nature and
purpose of the church, the body of Christ. I will focus on his instructions to
wives and husbands as well as his imagery of the full armor of God in order to
fight of spiritual battles.
In Galatians 3:1-14, Paul writes about the importance of
faith over the Law. The Galatians were being influenced by teachers called Judiazers
who claimed that the Law still had to be followed. Paul stresses that believers
received the Spirit through faith not by observance of the Law. In verses 2 and
5, he repeats the same question, did the believers receive the Spirit by observance
of the law or by believing the message that they heard? By asking these
questions, Paul wanted to remind them, and us, that faith is founded in Christ,
not the law. We grow spiritually because of God’s work in us by his Spirit, not
by following special rules. The reasons that the Galatians felt they still
needed to follow the law is the same way people today still believe there needs
to be special rules to follow. Receiving God’s Spirit and blessings by faith
alone is too simple, too easy. While studying the Bible, prayer and service in
the church helps us grow, they do not take the place of the Holy Spirit which
we all receive at the moment of acceptance. Paul even brings up Abraham who
many agreed kept the law and therefore received salvation. However, Abraham was
a man of faith and preceded the law by generations. So how can Abraham be a man
of the law when the law hadn’t been written yet? (verses 6-9). Christ died to
rid the curse of the law as breaking even one commandment condemned someone
(Deuteronomy 27:26). Paul continues his argument that if righteousness and
salvation were achieved by observance of the law, then Christ died for nothing
(Galatians 2:21). Would God send his only Son to die for us if his death was
meaningless? Therefore, the law is importance to know as it helps be moral compass;
however, it is not the source of our salvation. Faith and faith alone in Christ
is.
In Galatians 5:19-26, Paul lists acts of a sinful nature and
tells readers that those who live in these acts will not inherit the kingdom of
God. He says these acts are obvious (i.e. sexual immorality, idolatry, hatred, jealousy,
etc.) (verse 19-21). He then terms his attention to the Fruit of the Spirit, by
products, acts as one lives for God. These acts are just as obvious: love, joy,
peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (verse 22).
These acts are characteristics found in the nature of Christ. We obtain these
traits by imitating him, loving him and knowing him. As a result, we fulfill
the intended purpose of the law: to love God and our neighbors. A person who
exhibits these fruits fulfills the law far better than a person who observes
the rituals but has little love in his heart for God or others. Paul warns us
in verses 24 and 25 that we have crucified our sinful natures with Christ;
however, we still have the capacity to sin which is why we need to stay in step
with the Spirit and commit daily (emphasis
mine) to rid ourselves of our sinful natures. Daily crucify our sinful natures and draw on the Spirit’s power to
overcome them. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the
Spirit” (verse 25). His final words are: “Let us not become conceited, provoking
and envying each other” (verse 26). After speaking about the fruit of the
Spirit and committing ourselves to walking with the Spirit, why would Paul end
with a statement like that? As humans, we are social creatures and we often
seek approval of others. And when we seek the approval of others, rather than
God’s approval, we become conceited and envious. Keep your eyes on God and you
won’t need the approval of others. I also want to mention that there are some
Christians who become so confident in their relationship with God that they
become conceited and forget that they too were once a broken person who reached
out for God for salvation. Remember where and who you were when you accepted
Christ’s gift of salvation as you deal with others who need him too.
In Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul turns his attention to wives and
husbands and gives instructions on how they should act with each other. First,
he addresses the wives. He tells them to submit to their husbands (verse 22).
The dreaded word “submit.” It has been misinterpreted and misused throughout history
and even in today’s modern times. Submitting to one’s husband does not mean
being a doormat or a slave. For a wife to submit to her husband means to be
willing to follow her husband’s leadership. A husband is the spiritual leader
of the family just as Christ is the spiritual leader of the church (verse 24).
A wise and Christ honoring husband does not take advantage of his leadership role
and a wise and Christ honoring wife will not try to undermine her husband’s
leadership. While Paul instructs wives in two verses, he has much more to say
to husbands. He instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the
church (verse 25). He is to love his wife as he loves himself (verse 28) and
unite with her to become one flesh (verse 31). Uniting as one flesh isn’t just through
sex, it also includes being of one mind and discuss any disagreements. For example,
with my husband and I, we discuss everything together: money, budget, our
children’s education and discipline, etc. My husband listens to and considers
my position and opinions, while I accept that as the head of our family, he has
the final say in any decision and we usually come to an equal agreement on many
topics; however, sometimes, as the leader, he may decide something different.
Going back to verses 25 and 28, how should a husband love his wife? First, he
should be willing to sacrifice everything for her as Christ did for the church
(verse 25). Second, he should make her well-being a priority as Christ did for
the disciples (verses 26-27). Third, a husband should care for her as he cares
for his own body (verse 28-29). With a husband who does these three things as
Christ as his example, no wife needs to fear submitting to her husband’s
leadership.
In Ephesians 6:10-18, near the end of his letter, Paul
discusses the armor of God for protection against the devil’s schemes (verse
11). These schemes could come in the form of unseen forces or as the attacks
from nonbelievers. First, the belt of truth (verse 14) helps us remember God’s
truth and defeat Satan’s lies. Second, the breastplate of righteousness (verse
14) to protect our hearts which safeguards our emotions, self-worth and trust.
The breastplate reminds us that God loves us and sent his Son to die for us.
Third, the footgear of the gospel of peace (verse 15) is the motivation and
readiness to spread the Good News of Christ and the peace found with him.
Fourth, the shield of faith (verse 16) to protect ourselves from Satan’s
attacks. These attacks come in the form of insults, setbacks and temptations.
The shield of faith reminds us of God’s promise of love and salvation. Fifth,
the helmet of salvation (verse 17) protects our minds from doubts about God,
Jesus and our salvation. Lastly, the sword of the Spirit (verse 17), as the
only weapon of offense in the armor of God, it is the Word of God. Our best weapon
against spiritual attacks and helps the other pieces of armor do their part to
protect us. Along with putting on the full armor of God, we are to pray on all
occasion and with all prayers and requests. We are to be alert and pray for all
the saint (other believers the ones we know as well as those around the world)
(verse 18). The image of the full armor of God reminds me of a song by Twila
Paris called The Warrior is a Child. In
the song, the narrator discusses being a child who runs to God when the battles
become too much to fight. We came to the Father for rest, comfort and encouragement
as we go through life fighting battles for God.
In conclusion, the letters to the Galatian and Ephesian
churches are filled with importance lessons. I just touched on a few. Our
salvation does not depend on the observance of the law but rather with faith in
Christ. A true believer and follower of Christ can be identified by the fruit
of the Spirit he displays in his life. Wives are to submit to their husbands,
while husbands are to love his wife as Christ loved the church. Believers are
called to put on the full armor of God in order to defend ourselves against the
attacks against spiritual forces as well as fight battles against those who
fight against God.
