“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called
in one hope of your calling”
– Ephesians 4:3-4 –
All of Paul’s writings present the relationship between doctrine and duty in a balanced manner. The first three chapters of Ephesians deal with doctrine, illustrated as the riches of Christ, under the slogan of “walking in.”
People tend to consider as wealthy those who have great resources and assests. But then there are those who are rich in affection, in health, in friendship, and in integrity… and they are truely wealthy.
Dr. Emilio Mira y López defines in his book the “four giants of the soul” as the basic emotions that govern life and which, through four cardinal points, guide and propel us. They are the black giant of fear, the red giant of anger, the white giant of love, and the colorless giant of duty. The latter is colorless because it dresses in the color of the giant which is strongest, whether it be fear, anger, or love.
In Paul’s vision, it is love that produces the fulfimment of duty. Without love everything is a heavy and vile task, with love, the faithful fulfillment of duty enhances and blesses both the one who offers it and the one who receives it. If wealth allows you to have something, it would be your duty to benefit from using it. What’s the use of having something and not using or using correctly?
The better we know doctrine, the richer we are, and will be in better condition to live those doctrines anf fulfill duty. But this is not automatic, so the world is full of knowers and empty of practitioners.
Paul says that if we have accepted Christ’s call to be part of His body (Ephesians 1), then we must fulfill the duty to “walk” as is worthy of the calling, living in the unity of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4). If Christ resurrected us from death in our sins (Ephesians 2), don’t stay swapped in funeral cloths; take them off and live in robes of purity (Ephesians 4). If we are riche because we are reconciled (Ephesians 2) do not live like you are estrangled. Fulfill your duty to walk in harmony and communion (Ephesians 5). If Christ overcame satan (Ephesians 3), you have a duty in Christ to overcome him too (Ephesians 6).
“Satan trembles and flees before the weakest soul
who finds refuge in that Mighty Name” (The Desire of Ages, p. 103).
The “rich in Christ” fulfill the “duty to walk like Christ.”
May the Lord be with you today…