Believe It Or Not

“be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.” –  Ephesians 5:18-21

We were listening to a sermon on Sunday and the preacher was using Ephesians chapter 5 as his text.  As his alliteration progressed, alliteration is where each sermon point starts with the same letter, Martie said, “You have been talking about the same thing for a long time.” And it is true. I have been teaching, preaching, discipling on Ephesians five since the early 1990’s. But that brought another thought to mind – the Word of God is trans-generational.  It never changes. In this country people are categorized as Baby-Boomers, Millennials, Generations X, Y, Z and now A. But that is the natural man’s definitions. The inner man, and woman, have not change and will never change no matter what generation they are born in. All have sinned and there is none righteous – not one.  It is easy to confuse the culture we live in with how we are to live as Christians. They are apples and oranges. The Word of God applies to every generation.

I had a boss, commander in the Army, and we were talking about a lieutenant – the lowest commissioned officer rank. He said, “Charley I am so tired of telling the lieutenants the same thing over and over, and then I realized they were different lieutenants!” That conversation comes to my mind often – and such was the case this past weekend. The Word never changes, but the hearers do.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16

The Word is given by inspiration of God – in other words – it is God breathed – which is a reference to the Spirit of God – the breath of Heaven. Some would like to think that the Word does not apply to a particular generation – but that thinking is heretical – it has been the lie that has led many to stray from the faith and teach another  Gospel. So – as the preacher expound on Ephesians 5 – I was reminded about mutual submission – a reflection of the second greatest commandment to love others. I was reminded that as a husband I am to love my wife sacrificially.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.” – Ephesians 5:25-28

Not one of us can do that by wanting to more or by trying harder or with empty promises. When I was on staff with the Promise Keepers ministry, very often wives would tell me that their husbands would come back from a conference and their face would shine like Moses when he would come off of the mountain.. They were like new men.  But then the glory would fade after about two weeks and it would be same-o, same-o. Why? Because the men liked the idea of being better husbands but missed the point that Biblical teaching is dependent upon the Spirit of God and our submission to the Spirit – not our own determination. It does not matter if your think TikTok is what a clock does or is a social application used to share videos – the Word of God applies to you – all of it – and will for all future generations. And every generation will need the same Spirit to help them walk in it.

“those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”  – Galatians 5:24-25

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone