Ephesians Chapter 6 Discussion Page 3

I hope you will come back often. Conversations vary, day to day. Sometimes I take "a break" and pray with people in the Prayer Request room. There's a link out on the red link page.

I think Malachi 3:16-18 is what we're doing, in a way. Bless God even so.

I was gone about a month. I'll be looking for you :)

Amen!

Hi nice to meet you I'm a Christian

Welcome Kemeul

Best Bible ever I love it!

Yes brother Ezekiel, if you click Reply on the person's comment that you want to respond to, they should get an alert in their email that you responded. But I think that sometimes the alert isn't sent, as I don't always get the alerts. Anyway, I always peruse all the comments for the day, so I will see them anyway & try to respond if I feel led to.

My understanding of 1 Corinthians 7:26-31, is basically Paul telling the Corinthians that, because of their present distress, they should re-focus their lives & their thoughts on things that pertain to dealing with the sufferings & maybe persecutions. That they shouldn't be consumed with the affairs of this life, whether to marry or not, or engaging in other worldly needs or pursuits. Rather they should attend to the things that would help them deal with & go through the sufferings that they face.

My thoughts turned to some of the very poor Christians in Pakistan, where I ministered for a short while. They had very little as many of the others who lived in villages had. But because they were Christians, the govt. denied them electricity, a water supply, & access to any services that would normally be available to Muslims. How did they cope? Their life was more difficult: they had to use lanterns for light or depend on a full moon to show them where to walk; they had to go a long distance to pump up water from the ground or well; & they had to make do with very little. So, they had to accept this & had to live accordingly without complaining. I then see the 1 Corinthians passage as applicable to them: they had to devote their time & energies in just surviving & encouraging each other in the faith, that to be involved in anything else seemed secondary & almost unimportant. So marriages still took place, but they weren't consumed over the matter as others; those that sorrowed or in joy, attended first to what was more important; etc. They had to look past their problems & look to the Lord, to each other & to eternity.

Hi brother Chris, This is Ezekiel who wrote annotation on 1Cor 7:30 about 14 hrs ago. Thanks for your comment. I wrote complete annotation (I don't call it commentary no longer) for the entire Bible and came up with some new theologies during my last 11 years of Bible study and plan to start my ministry or church soon 'with GOD'S assistance'.

When I was studying 1Cor ch 7 yesterday, I thought that people would have difficulties to understand verse 30 (and verse 29), somewhat strange expression. I could not see what you're trying to say in your response clearly. Basically we believers just pretend as if either good or bad thing did not happen when it happened really and look forward to the glorious time in heaven since we are just passing by this temporary life on earth. Please read the general idea again in the annotation.

When I clicked 'discussion' button, I saw your name at the top. I red your response to somebody asking about Holy Spirit. I will respond shortly too. Now I'm not sure how it works. If I click 'reply' button under your response, would that person who posted the question see my response?

From reading those notes on 1 Corinthians 7:30, I agree that should be the general rule of a Christian's view of himself, his family, possessions & of the world & the evil that abounds in it.

However, I always focus on the context & situation that the writer was in or writing about. It seems clear from verse 26, "I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress...", that Paul knew what was happening around him & what was happening to believers under Roman rule. We're not told specifically what the "present distress" was; it may have been an increasing antagonism against Christians with persecutions (under Nero AD 54-68 persecutions began & 1 Corinthians was believed to be written during this time).

So, it might have been at a time when believers were experiencing the first buds of suffering & hardship, & Paul then gave this word to them concerning marriage at this time & the usual life's situations that came before them (vv 30, 31). All these things were a normal part of life, but when suffering for your faith, the emphasis should rather be on finding strength to withstand any onslaught, by spending much time together in the Word, in prayer, & in encouragement & support of one another. The Church in those days was a much more cohesive body, depending on each other heavily in both practical & spiritual ways, unlike today, when we meet together infrequently & are very much independent & self-sufficient. There may be a time coming for us, when the longing & cleaving to each other as a Church, becomes much more necessary for our spiritual well-being & strength to withstand the ever increasing forces of evil.

Anyone having difficulties to understand 1Cor 7:29, 30?

Please read 1Cor 7:29, 30 and follow the annotation on the difficult verse 30.

1Cor 7:30. And they that weep, as though they wept not: restraining and moderating their grief by the hope of the life to come. As a matter of fact, it is very difficult for human nature to ignore pain or any adverse circumstance as if nothing happened to him when persecuted, maligned, slandered, when near earthly friends are taken away and etc. Religion will keep us from immoderate grief, and sustain the soul even when in distress nature forces us to shed the tear of mourning.

As though they rejoiced not: Not rejoicing with excessive or immoderate joy; not with riot or unholy mirth; not satisfied with these things, though they may rejoice in them; Not forgetting that they must soon be left; but keeping the mind in a calm, serious, settled, thoughtful state, in view of the fact that all these things must soon come to an end. Oh, how would this thought silence the voice of unseemly mirth!

As though they possessed not: It is right to buy and to obtain property; but it should be held with the conviction that it is by an uncertain tenure, and must soon be left.

The general idea in all these expressions is, that in whatever situation Christians are, they should be dead to the world, and not improperly affected by passing events.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." Heb 4:12-13

And writing of the Alpha and Omega:

"And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength." Rev 1:16

The Word of God is ALIVE and is the ONLY OFFENSIVE WEAPON to use against the devil: The Sword of The Spirit, The Word of God. Eph 6:13-17.

Jesus, while being tempted by the devil in the wilderness, replied using ONLY SCRIPTURE.

Why is the sword of the spirit the word of God? Please tell me I need to know.

That's an interesting perspective, but we still have to deal with Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood...". And verse 11, speaks about withstanding the Devil, who is certainly not of our flesh. This should tell us immediately that our enemies are not from mankind who are flesh & blood, but to the opposite of "flesh & blood", i.e. those of the spirit world. Of course, the evil found in that world, certainly influences man, both the inconspicuous lowly citizen right up to those in positions of power on Earth, both of whom are certainly 'flesh & blood'.

Does your understanding of "wrestling not against flesh & blood" hold another meaning to you?

Me too Joe ! Thankyou !

" It is likely that the meaning is the same as in Eph 2:2 The high places, the air, is a dwelling place and medium of these evil influences."...That's not the way I take it. I believe that "high places" means those that are in positions of power in government, on earth.

PROOF: Look at all the 'spoiled' children today as a result of the world's 'experts' telling to spare the rod. Discipline is not abuse. Abuse is certainly not discipline. Discipline, I believe, is done with love and goodness but abuse is done with hate and evil.

Helen I do not quote scripture to answer questions. I search for answers and use my own understanding of what I have experienced with my own journey through my wilderness.

Declare your own heart. This is the fruit of my seed. Let God lead your words.

I like that reply Earl, In the flesh we have nothing to present.

Thank you all so much. While reading your replies I broke down and began thanking God for an answer I had been seeking. For I was beginning to feel lost and unwanted. I found this site by accident WHILE searching for answers after reading my Bible. Then reading this online Bible against my Bible my heart began to settle and in studying Gods word I felt the need to reach out. I feel he sent me a answer. May God bless each one of you.

Helen

Helen, may the Spirit grace you with HIS wisdom and His understanding. Keep studying God's word, you may think you can't remember everything; and if called upon you are concerned you would fall short of the task. You want fall short of the task because God's word says:

Matthew 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of the Father which speaketh in you.

Our first objective is to agree with the Spirit. WE ARE THE POT AND HE IS THE POTTER.

Sometimes the POT was created just to be seen, your actions more often speak louder than your words.

However the POTTER uses us is at his discretion not ours, but he will provide all you need to fulfil his desires.

Jesus told his disciples he was sent to be a servant, isn't it wonderful that Jesus does all things or us.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches:....... without me you can do nothing.

Isaiah 30:7 .....Their strength is to sit (like a pot on the wheel) still.

Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, fear ye not, stand and BEHOLD THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.......

Our problem is WE KEEP GETTING OF THE POTTERS WHEEL.

GBU

Helen,

"What if God needs me to fight but I can't remember verses."

Leave "what if" to God, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

Now how I am able to present you that verse, is not because I remember it by book, chapter and verse, but instead, by remembering the subject of his ordaining our walk in good works, context and content. From there I use the search/concordance to focus on words I know are in the verse, to find exactly what God has said.

The Lord Jesus quoted some scripture, but unlike the scribes and Parisees, he demonstrated the grace and heart of God. He spoke as the person who cared for them by helping them understand, because God cared for them. If the best you can do is remember what God has said, it is far far more important to other people than where he said it, which they can look up for themselves, if need be that important to them. Seeing for themselves is what God want's from them anyway.

As a Christian you are in the fight, the armor is defensive, to keep you safe from being disabled, so don't take on an anxious/fearful position of not being good enough to represent our God. Keep growing in his grace.

I am encouraged to hear your desire to please our God.

That's a good question, Helen. As we age, our memories tend to fade, in some areas particularly, & when someone refreshes our memory about some past occurrence, we almost feel that they are lying to us. But to admit our failing in this area is important & as we seek God's Help in it, especially with His Word, He will not disappoint us.

The thing I've found with the Scriptures, is that my memory tends to weaken particularly in remembering the Scripture references; I know which Bible Book that I'm to refer to for a particular verse, but can I remember the chapter & verse? However, that recollection can only come about by continually referring to the Bible & making it a point in storing in our memories the chapter & verses as well. But I've also learned, that it's God's Spirit that really is the One Who refreshes us with His Word. I'm sure that I can speak for others who regularly answer questions on this Site, but as we commit the enquirer's question to the Lord as to how to answer, the Spirit engages our mind in not only what to write but also the relevant Scriptures that are to be shared as well. So often, I have to use my Bible (or here on this Site) to find the Scripture & maybe even quote it verbatim so that our focus may be on what God is saying to us through it.

I knew one brother in Christ, many years ago, who could repeat whole portions of Romans without error. If I asked him now to do so, I'm sure he would stumble through it, but the Word planted in his heart can never be removed & will be called upon as the need arose. I think that if we come to a point in time when very little from God's Word comes to mind, then we have cause to be concerned - so don't be discouraged, continue to read God's Word & store it up in your heart, or as Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Keep it hidden there, the Spirit will surely reveal it to you at the appointed time. Every blessing.

I just finished Ephesians, reading about the armor of God. The sword is the word of God. Here is where I get a little upset. I have read the Bible a few times, I am in my 60's with not a great memory. Some things stay with me but I forget so much. What if God needs me to fight but I can't remember verses. Now if you mention something in the Bible I can tell you all about it. I have prayed so hard on this. Any thoughts?

wonderful book

I feel that "to honour those in power" ( Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:17) means that they are to obeyed & respected because of their appointed position & authority. Even when Paul wrote those words in 'Romans', the govt. of the day was one of the most tyrannical, brutal of empires that ruled in that region, yet Paul called for our obedience to them.

Essentially, govts. are formed for the administration of the country's affairs & for the care of its citizens. They are to encompass all types of people with different backgrounds, religions, economic statuses, etc. & to serve them well. Sadly, most govts., even those created under Judeo-Christian bases & ethos, now don't give high regard to the Bible as the Bible can be confronting to these 'other' groups of people. Is this the correct thing to do? A definite, No. Rather than other groups or persuasions conform to biblical standards of living & justice, govts. have weakened & pandered to their demands. We will never see a 'Christian' govt - only when Jesus Christ comes to reign on Earth, will the World see a true & righteous govt. under God.

However, what should our response be? Given that we are to obey the laws, pay our dues, & give govts. due respect, we are not compelled to blindly obey what they might require of us that is clearly against God's Word. So in a sense, we have to pick & choose. In Acts 5:18-29, we see Peter & the apostles imprisoned for healing people - God's angel had opened the prison doors to release them & they went back to preaching - they were subsequently brought before the council & were questioned as to why they continued to preach Jesus; & they responded, "We ought to obey God rather than men." So there are clearly times when disobedience is necessary whenever Christians & the Gospel are restrained in their life & work.

Some countries discriminate & persecute Christians. We can be thankful to our govts. that we still receive water, electricity & education - a few refuse these to Christians.

Does God really want us to honor those in power knowing that they are so far from him they are against Christian's how can we honor such people just because they hold a high office

Is there heirarchy in heaven?

Thank you Dianne: I'll accept that as given. I do tend to speak (or write), with 'absolution' or rather, a firm conviction because I've had to deal with many of these issues myself, have had to study them & sometimes deliver a message on them. One has to have a firm conviction, yet if that is opposed (which is the proper thing to do at times), then the response needs to also be given from the Word with equal conviction, so that it may be properly considered. I have to admit that at times, an answer given me has stumped me & required me to search further in the Word.

Often, I've wished that folk would follow through with a 'why I believe my view is correct' based on critical examination of Scripture, but I know that time & knowledge may not be available to them. But I do enjoy searching the Scriptures with my brothers & sisters in Christ here on this Site - I think we are benefited in our study & consideration of them & one another's views. Blessings.

Chris its interesting that your statements are delivered with absolution.

Yes there is prayer with understanding and prayer in the spirit.

That's not necessarily so. One can be so moved & engaged with the Holy Spirit that his prayers can become so vibrant & focussed. He may find himself using a gift of other tongues or his earthly language in such prayer. Also see 1 Corinthians 14:14-16, where the instruction concerns the use of other tongues - he can pray in the spirit (tongues) or he can choose to pray with understanding (using his own language or also having the gift of Interpretation of that tongue). And in the Church, interpretation must be given, whether in some utterance or in prayer, so that the Church might receive the Word & be blessed.