Faith Joy & Coffee

“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…

“With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering,
bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity
of the Spirit in the bond of peace”
– Ephesians 4:2-3 –

Being together just for the sake of being together? Or being together for a purpose fulfilling Jesus’s prayer? Ecumenical or united?

“Ecumenical” refers to all who work for the global unity and cooperation of all Christian churches. C. Stanley Lowell points out that there are two facets: “The first facet refers to the cooperation among Christian bodies in their work. The other facet is an effort for Christian unity which aims to bring together all churches under one big ecclesiastical tent.”

Those who seek unity are all those who seek to unite believers in Christ and His Word. Paul says that Christ came to tear down the dividing wall and to make the two groups, Jews and Gentiles, one people (Eph. 2:14).

This unity is not a social, political, or solidarity issue.
It is complete unity in the doctrine of the Lord.
Unity is not uniformity.

Unity comes from abive and from within and is a spiritual virtue, while uniformity is the result of external pressure. Paul, in both 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4, used the human body as an illustration of Christian unity. Each part of the bocy is different from the others; however, they all make up a single body and work together for the good of the body.

• To perserve the “unity of the Spirit,” according to Paul, we need humility to place Christ first, others after, and ourselves last.
• For its partm “meekness” is not weakness; it is power kept under control. Moses was a meek man; Jesus Christ was meek and humble of heart (Num. 12:3; Matt. 11:29). However, Jesus cast out those who traded in the temple. Meekness is related to patience, which is enduring affliction without returning evil. We cannot bear and overcome without experiencing love. It is unity in the Spirit that makes it possible to walk with Christ.
• There must also be a concern, or eagerness, to keep the unity of the Spirit.
• The last virtue Paul mentions is peace.

Ecumenism seeks to unite organizations, with concessions and flexibility; unity puts Christ and His Word at the center, and above all else.

Let us be protagonists of true unity, remembering that unity
is protected by faith, quenched by prayer, nourished by the Word,
cleansed by forgiveness, and multiplied by testimony;
and it becomes eternal with the love of God.

May God bless you…

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk
worthy of the calling with which you were called”
– Ephesians 4:1 –

Chapter 4 of Ephesians contains a lot of excellent practical advice from the apostle Paul. Let us look at the main ones:

1. God called us to be His sons and daughters; therefore we must live in a dignified was as one who lives as the son and daughter of the King of the universe: with humility and kindness to others.
2. The church is the body of Christ, and our behavior must contribute to the unity of the body of Christ.
3. God granted gifts to His sons and daughters; and these gifts serve for the perfection of church members.
4. When we apply our gifts and develop ourselves, we become more and more mature and steadfast in faith.
5. If we are sons and daughters of God, we must not live as Gentiles, that is, as ones who do not know God.
6. We must practice truthfulness; always telling the truth and fleeing from the lie.
7. We have the right to be angry and outraged at things that are wrong; but we don’t have the right to sin or mistreat people because of our anger.
8. Our words should be used to bless and edify people, and not to mistreat or humiliate.
9. We must live in harmony with everyone, practicing forgiveness.

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be uderstood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life” (Franciscan prayer for peace).

Being a Christian is a serious matter. Being a Christian is more
than just saying “I believe in this” or “I believe in that.”
The sons and daughters of God must give daily,
full-time testimony that they are children of the King of the universe.

Do you know who you are? God bless you…

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations,
forever and ever. Amen”
– Ephesians 3:20-21 –

Paul says that we all have a before and an after. His encounter withChrist changed the apostle’s life forever and can also change ours.

Before, we were dead in our crimes and sins. We were under the wrath of God, anger that which is not anger but justice. In addition, we followed and listened to the opinions of the world with its follies and inconsistencies. We were satan’s salves, so we followed our sinsful desires and thoughts.

After having our own Damascus, an experience that must be renewed every day, we are revived by Christ and His Word. We accept God’s mercy, which is manifested for our salvation. We are made children of God and become faithful witnesses and messengers for Christ and His truth.

We cease being slaves to sin to become prisoners of Christ, which makes us free. Every day we are resurrected in order to love, serve, and do His will.

For this reason, Paul says that God’s aundance is much more aundant than we ask for. That is why we will give Christ glory forever: “To Him who by means of His power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of: to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever!” (Eph. 2:20, 21)

A great and well-known writer expressed her joy with these words:

We can come to God in faith and humility, and plead with Him until our souls are brought into such close relationship with Jesus that we can lay our burdens at His feet, saying, “I know whom I have believed” (2 Tim. 1:12). The Lord is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think. Our cold, faithless hearts may be quickened into sensibility and life… Let us follow in the footsteps of the Son of God” (Medical Ministry, p. 203).

Renowned evangelist Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899) was never a polished or prominent speaker. He had little academic training and had never attended high school. However, he was a powerful preacher and the most famous soul-winner of his day. He was once asked what the basis of his power was, and he replied, “The Lord has all that is in me.”

It is inexplicable that while the Almighty and Infinite
wants to give us more abundantly, the fragile and finite
intends to overcome with less and less of that divine power.
How much of your “everything” will you give to God?

May God guide and protect you, today and every day…

“For this reason, I bow my knees
to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”
– Ephesians 3:14 –

It is not wrong to ask for the needs of the body, but Paul pleads for the inner man. It is not worng to ask for personal needs, but Paul prioritizes praying for the church and mission.

The first thing he does is bend his knees; he postrates his body and soul. He directs his prayers to the Father, a personal and intimate way to refer to God. There is a relationship and belonging, and a sense of trust and dependence.

The apostle presents four requests in chapter 3, all linked to each other.

1. He prays for power (v. 16). This power comes from the presence of the Holy Spirit, which the Lord sent to us after His departure as our Comforter.
2. He prays for depth (vv. 17-19). The apostle uses three verbs in these texts: dwell, rooted, and grounded. “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power… to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all fullness of God”

“Dwelling” is “settling down and feeling at home,” according to Kenneth Wuest. God did not feel at home in Lot’s home, but He felt at home in Abraham’s tent or walking with Enoch.

“Rooted” links us to agriculture. A good tree has deep roots in order to obtain food, stability and produce many fruits.

“Grounded” is a term of architecture. It refers to the base on which we build, which is as important as the building. Building on sand is not the same as building on the firm rock of Christ and His Word. Only being strongly and deeply founded in Christ could sustain them during the severe trials of life.

3. He prays for understanding (v. 18). By clinging to the vast and boundless expanse of God’s love, Paul wants us to know personally the love of Christ that exceeds all knowledge. There are many dimensions, but the cannot be measured.

4. He prays for fullness (v. 19). Many believers compare themselves to others to argue that they are not “so bad.” Many are content to get second place or tie with others. Why? We can be winners!

What we do now prepares us for eternity, when we will glorify Christ forever.

He is powerful to do all things;
all things abundantly;
all things more abundantly;
all things much more abundantly!

God bless you…

“For this reason I, Paul the prisoner of Christ Jesus
for the sake of you Gentiles, pray to God”
– Ephesians 3:1 –

Of the fourteen epistles written by Paul, Ephesians, Philippians, Collosians, 2 Timothy, and Philemon were most likely written from prison. Paul came to consider his imprisonment as part of his life as an apostle and called himself a “prisoner of Christ Jesus.” His suffering was an inspiration to the other believers, and not a cause of dishonor or shame.

In Philipi he was locked up in the dungeon in an inner cell, his feet placed in a stock, and placed under military custody near the temple of Jerusalem.

In Caesarea, he was imprisoned in Herod’s palace while awaiting trail. Paul was taken to Rome, where he was confined to house arrest, guarded by a Roman soldier tied with a chain.

The apostle feels, perceives, prison as a part of God’s plan. While a prisoner, he keeps preaching. He appealed for his right to stand trial in Rome in order to testify in the world capital. He fulfills his misson to be the apostle to the Gentiles.

Paul portrays himself as a suffering apostle. He does not complain and is not resetful. His imprisonment is not a disgrace. It was a way to inspire others and strengthen their faith.

In Ephesians, Paul also places the cause of the gospel above all else. He presents himself as a prisoner of Christ fro the Gentiles. He could have been a prisoner of his circumstances, his past, his limitations, or his carnal nature. However, he defined himself as a prisoner of Christ for the Gentiles. A prisoner is not free to do what he wants and is restricted from his own privileges and desires.

Three times in this letter he says he is a prisoner (3:1; 4:1; 6:20). While physically imprisoned, he is spiritually a prisoner of Christ and of His cause. His crime was to say that the Gentiles were as much heirs of the Lord’s promises as the Jews. The hatred of his compatriots was limitless, as was his zeal to save everyone.

A very famous writer once wrote: “We are captive to Christ, the Lord of life and of His church. We march in His parade, and we know where it is headed. And once in a while we get a glimpse over our shoulder and see fellow prisoners following us in the parade. It’s worth it.”

When we acknowledge ourselves to be prisoners of Christ,
we are free from all sin and live to transform slaves of sin
into prisoners for the Lord.

May the Lord bless you today…

“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles
– if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God
which was given to me for you”
– Ephesians 3:1-2 –

In Ephesians 3, seven ideas are highlighted:

1. Credentials. Paul presents himself as a prisoner of Christ, for love of His children in faith.
2. Mystery. It is a mystery how the Gentiles, who lived far from God, could participate and enjoy the blessings of the gospel of Christ.
3. Privilege. Paul, who considers himself the least of all the saints, was given the grace to preach to the Gentiles the gospel of Christ’s unfathomable riches.
4. Freedom. In Christ, we have access to God with full confidence, through faith in Him.
5. Strengthened. In Christ, we are rooted in the Father’s pure love.
6. Purpose. God dwells within us so that we can understand the width, length, height, and depth of the Father’s love, and understand Christ’s love, which surpases all understanding. It is also so that we maybe filled with all the fullness of God.
7. Power. God is powerful enough to do infinitely more than all we ask or think, according to His power which works in us.

A parable tells that the donkey that carried Jesus brought his whole family together and said, “From now on you cannot treat me like just any donkey.” His mother asked him to clarify a little more. And he said, “As I was entering the city, people laid down palm leaves and sang when I passed by. It was a great party, the people all recognized who I am, all of you don’t value me enough.”

The family, realizing what happened, told the donkey to enter the city again. Happy, the donkey did so. This time, without Jesus, he did not receive any honor and was even hit so he would leave.

Paul was hidden in Christ. He was not the center of the gospel. The center was Christ. It is wonderful to serve and worship a God who offers us salvation; transforms us from the inside, and before waiting for a change in our lives, empowers us with His power and grace.

“Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united
to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty
to His enduring might. So you are not to look to yourself,
not to let the mind dwell upon self, but look to Christ…
It is by loving Him, copying Him, depending wholly upon Him,
that you are to be transformed into His likeness”
(Steps to Christ, p. 70)

Allow Him to transform you from the inside. May the Lord be with you…

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens
with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built
on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself
being the chief cornerstone”
– Ephesians 2:19-20 –

Paul says that the gospel is available to all. To those who, like the Jews, feel close; as well for the Gentiles, who are far away. Christ wants all of them to belong.

God, and those sent by God, work to reconcile, which means to bring together, to gather the pieces, and rebuilt the puzzle. Sin is a great divider in this world. It has been dividing since the Garden of Eden.

The apostle will use three examples to prove that we are citizens, members, and living stones: one nation, one family, and one building.

We are not foreigners in a foreign land, nor strangers just passing through. We are fellow citizens of the saints. Israel was the nation chosen by God, but they rejected the Lord, and the kingdom was taken from them. Sin divides, but Christ reconciles.

The new nation is the church.

We are reconciled in order to be part of God’s family. The family of the earth and of that of heaven which will become one at His return (Eph. 3:15).

We have one Father, and we are all brothers and sisters.

The last example is a temple, a building. God dwelled in His sanctuary, in the life of Christ, in the church, and in us. God dwells in the heart of the believer and in the church. Christ is the main cornerstone which supports the building. The Jews thought about the temple in Jerusalem and the Gentiles about the temple of Diana. Both were detroyed. However…

Christ’s church will remain forever.

The Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea are two small seas in Palestine, separated by a mere sevety-five miles. They are united by the Jordan River, but are different from each other. The first receives water from the north and sends it multiplied to the south. It is a channel. Life thrives around it, and in its crystal waters there is an abundance of fish. 

The second receives waters from the north but does not share a single drop. It water is so salty and bitter that there is no life in its waters. All around it are deserts and desolation. While the Sea of Galilee is an appropiate symbol of life, the Dead Sea is an impressive symbol of death.

We are not foreigners or strangers. We are fellow citizens of the saints.
We are not orphans. We are a part of God’s family.
We are living stones whose purpose is to complete God’s building.
Reconciled in order to reconcile others.

May our Heavenly Father be with you…

“That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens
from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers
from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God
in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have been brought near by the blood of Christ”
– Ephesians 2:12-13 –

There are movements today in some countries that identify with those who are “without:” “Those without land,” “Those without homes,” “Those without power,” “Those without a partner,” “Those without names,” etc. Each raises the flag of a cause they defend.

Paul speaks of the Gentiles with a past (“before”) and a present (“now”). The past of the Gentiles is grouped into the word “without.” They were those “without.”

There were many pagan gods and religious syncretism. Diana was the most famous goddess of the Ephesians. The Ephesians had never heard of Christ, so Paul calls them “those without Christ.”

“Without Christ.” It is not neutral ground, it is a tragedy.

“Without citizenship.” God had turned the Jews into a nation, which in its time was mighty, noteworthy, and meant to enlighten and bless the other nations: that was its purpose.

“Without a covenant.” God had made an agreement with the Jews, and although by extension it reached the Gentiles, as a nation they were strangers to the covenant. That is why the Jews always told them they were “without.” They even prayed like this: “Lord, I thank you that I am a Jew and I am neither Gentile nor a woman.”

Wiersbe says that historians refer to great hopelessness in the ancient world, with hollow philosophies, vanishing traditions, and religions that generated neither faith nor hope. The beliefs did not provide strength to endure life or to face death. They were “those with no hope.”

The heathen had countless gods, but these many gods amounted to nothing; that is why they were without God. In reality, it was not that Godhad left them, but that they left God. History says it all started with one God, but as they moved away from the one true God, they began creating many false gods.

“But now,” Paul says, history can change. It is that, for both those Ephesians and for us, we do not need to be the “without” because God has called us to be those “with.” “Those connected to God,” “Those with hope,” “Those with a covenant,” “Those with a citizenship,” “Those with Christ.”

The “without” are defeated; the “with” are invincible.
“Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible,
than the soul that feels its nothing and relies wholly on God”
(Proohets and Kings, p. 174).

Be the one “with” today. God bless you…