City Life Starter

Written by Chris Pate

The Word

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…

Ephesians 5:22,25

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ…

9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Ephesians 6:1-5,9

Reflection/Application

This section of scriptures can just seem like moralistic practice at first glance. Do this, don’t do that. However, you must read it in light of the previous context and foundation that Paul has been setting. What do these scriptures say in light of the context of the whole gospel narrative? This must continually be asked as we read the letters of Paul and others in Scripture, lest we create a different gospel or dilute and confuse the meaning and purpose of the writers instructions. Sadly, it is far too easy to grab a verse and make it our truth, or our “life verse” and completely leave the whole story of God, reconciling us to himself at the cost of himself, behind.

For example, each scripture above has a command or imperative to it that we must do, yes; however, we apply it in light of the whole gospel story and teachings (when I say the gospel story I mean the greater meta narrative in each account of the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).

Let’s take verse 22 for example where Paul tells the wives to submit to their own husbands, as to the Lord. Without the story of Jesus perfectly submitting to His Father’s will in humility and trust, the real life example we get of submission in the gospels, this verse can be and has been abused greatly. Many people would ask, “What do you mean by submit? Do whatever my husband asks with no questions or without ever having a word otherwise?” Many people have taken the gospels out of the application and abused this and other commands, thus making it unsavory to anyone outside of a “Bible believing church.” This is not the right application or heart of the command. 

In every command there is a letter of the law (what it says) and a spirit behind the law (wisdom to apply). Jesus’ very life, words and actions give us the spirit of the law. This then builds a case for the meta narrative helping instruct the current narrative. 

The meta narrative show us a God from the beginning empowering and loving humanity, creating them in His image and strengthening them to continue the work of His glory throughout the earth. There is no selfish motivation, only delight and joy in sharing His love. After man horribly fails and breaks trust, how does God ultimately restore us? With a heavy hand of judgment and forced labor/repentance? No, scripture says His kindness leads us to repentance, in that, He is a humble king who comes and shows us the way to walk in the love of God and others through His Son. Then He gives his very life, paying the ultimate price, in utter humiliation, to be thoroughly victorious and win us back from complete darkness.

In light of that story, submission to someone God has placed in our life sounds a lot like the character of God and His very story. Winning over a world and people, not through brute force, but humble action. This is the upside-down way to live for us, but is actually the right-side-up way of His kingdom. 

God’s instructions to us then are not burdens to endure, but rather God’s way of doing things and actually touching every part of our lives from our marriage and parenting to how we work and play. 

In conclusion, when we look at these instructions through the lens of the greater story there is no way we would ever abuse another person or demean anyone made in the image of God, because that’s not the way to demonstrate the will of God.

Rebuke? Yes. Demoralize? No.

Correct? Yes, Despise? Never!

Trust in Lord and His order and goodness? Always!

Prayer

Lord, help me to see Your beauty and order of Your commands in light of the greater story of Your unfailing love. You do nothing out of evil, only love, only for my best. Thank You for showing me the way to live as a new creation in this world You are renewing. Make me your great vessel for godly purposes of showing others the same love I have received of You. In the powerful name of Jesus, amen!