Christ's Law

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● Eph 5:15 . . So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise.

"Wise" of course meaning to live your life in such a way that it counts for Christ
instead of only counting for yourself and/or counting for the world. For example: if
you get pulled into the worlds of corporate management, political activism, and/or
civil disobedience; I can just about guarantee that your life is not counting for
Christ because those are really big distractions and sometimes its players have to
break the law, compromise their integrity, and/or play dirty to be effective.

The "fools" then can justly be described as people who live with little regard for
scruples; defined by Webster's as an ethical consideration or principle that inhibits
action. For example, the pioneer of a currently very popular social network stole the
idea. That particular theft of intellectual property broke no laws, but it was
unethical, ergo: it was the work of a fool rather than wise.
_
 
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● Eph 5:17 . .Therefore do not be uninformed, but understand what The Lord's will
is.

In other words: Christians are not supposed to fly by dead reckoning, rather, fly by
instruments: viz: fly intelligently; and that entails ground school before going up in
the air at the controls of an actual airplane.

Certain kinds of "play books" are essential to one's success. For example conquerors
can profit from studying The Art Of War by Sun Tzu, politicians can profit from
studying The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli, and socialists can profit from studying
Utopia by Thomas Moore.

Moses instructed his people that there is no need to go on a special "golden fleece"
quest to discover what The Lord's will is; either out in space nor across the ocean in
a foreign land. No, The Lord's will is easily accessible between the covers of even
the cheapest second-hand Bible on the shelves of a thrift store.

However; no Bible-- no matter how cheap, nor how expensive, nor what version--
is of any real use if it's not studied. But even systematic Bible study is quite
thwarted when the information isn't heeded.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who
looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and
immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the
perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has
heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does." (Jas 1:22-25)
_
 
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● Eph 5:18 . . Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be
filled with the Spirit.

( It isn't forbidden to drink; only to get intoxicated, a.k.a. hammered. )

Webster's defines "debauchery" as extreme indulgence in bodily pleasures. Alcohol,
then, can be a gateway vice leading to some much worse, e.g. drugs and
immorality.

Some people can limit themselves to one drink. But for many, that one quickly
becomes six.

I've heard of studies indicating that some people have a genetic weakness for
alcohol, viz: a natural-born predilection. Nevertheless, drunkenness is sin and
Christians are under orders to subdue it.

"So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you." (Col 3:5)

Why do people get plastered anyway? Isn't it to make themselves feel good and
better able to cope with life's difficulties? Alcohol therefore could be said to be an
antidote to one's existence.

So in that respect, alcohol is a crutch. I'm not saying a crutch is a bad thing; I
mean, after all, God created Eve as a crutch for Adam so then if all crutches are
bad, then women are bad too. No, crutches per se are not bad; it's one's choice of
crutch that matters.

God's Spirit is a crutch for believers; but His effectiveness is moderated by their
conduct.

"If you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put
to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live," (Rom 8:13)

In other words; Christ's followers should not expect to be filled with the Spirit when
their conduct is unbecoming.
_
 
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● Eph 5:19 . . Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs:
singing and making melody with your heart to The Lord

That verse is actually pretty good justification for a church choir; but I really think it
should also be used to justify hymn books in the pews too so the congregation can
all sing together. And make very sure the topics of your music are a credit to The
Lord rather than celestial celebrities; e.g. saints, angels, and/or Jesus' mom.
_
 
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● Eph 5:20 . . Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ.

Moses' people were so accustomed to God's providence that they began to take it
for granted, and would get upset with Him when He failed to produce. Be on your
guard; don't let that happen.

"We should not test the Lord, as some of them did-- and were killed by snakes. And
do not grumble, as some of them did-- and were killed by the destroying angel.
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings
for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are
standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (1 Cor 10:9-12)

"in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" indicates that any and all providence that
comes our way is due to Christ's work on the cross. It was his sacrifice for the sins
of the world that makes it possible for God to come alongside and bless rather than
curse. We don't ever want to forget that.
_
 
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● Eph 5:21 . . Submit to one another out of respect for Christ.

The Greek word translated "respect" basically means fright; which is intended that
way quite a few times throughout the New Testament. But I really don't think this
verse is saying Jesus' followers should be afraid of him like folks will be gripped
with terror during the Tribulation; e.g. Rev 6:15-17.

No; here in Ephesians respect is likely speaking of a social grace whereby we're
careful to avoid disappointing folks who mean a great deal to us like spouses,
grandchildren, and BFF.

The Greek word translated "submit" means to subordinate (as a verb) which is just
the opposite of dominance and/or control. A workable synonym for the kind of
submission we're talking about here is "deference" which Webster's defines as:
affected, or ingratiating, regard for others' wishes; viz: honor.

So then; this isn't about a pecking order. What we're talking about here is
consideration; defined by Webster's as thoughtful of the rights, and the feelings, of
others.

The thing is: it means a lot to Christ when we regard people as worthy of more
honor than ourselves not because we have to, but because doing so makes his day.
(cf. John 14:23)
_
 
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● Eph 5:22 . .Wives, submit to your husbands as to The Lord.

Husbands, in a manner of speaking, are a figure of Christ in the Christian home. So
then: wives ought to afford their husbands the same degree of value, courtesy, and
civility that they would give Christ were he their spouse. In other words; it's not the
husband himself who merits his wife's best behavior, it's his position in the home.
For example:

"Demonstrate your fear of God by standing up in the presence of elderly people and
showing respect for the aged. I am The Lord." (Lev 19:32)

In the beginning; Adam was made superior to his wife not because of his gender,
rather, because he was the senior of the two. (Gen 3:16 & 1Tim 2:11-13)

Rising to one's feet for the elders among us carries over to revering God because
He too is an elder among us. God likely doesn't look His age-- except maybe in a
figure of speech, e.g. Dan 7:9 --but we really should keep in mind that He's among
us as not only a better, but also a senior. So we would do well to step aside for
God, carry His bags, and/or hold a door open for Him not only because he's a deity
and a monarch, but also because He's older.

The Greek word for "submit" in this verse is the very same for submit in Eph 5:21,
and never means that wives take orders from their husbands as if marriage were
an arrangement similar to a monarch and a commoner.

What we're talking about here is deference rather than obedience. An attitude of
deference is mandatory for Christians on both sides of the gender aisle-- both men
and women.

Deference is agreeable, approachable, tactful, and diplomatic. Deference isn't
confrontational, demanding, assertive, militant, dominating, nor always clamoring
"I am woman! Hear me roar!"

In a nutshell: deference is just the opposite of defiance. Christian wives striving for
equality with their men have not yet learned what it means to associate with a
husband as they would Christ.
_
 
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● Eph 5:23-24 . . For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of
the church, his body, of which he is the savior. Now as the church submits to
Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Christians, no less, have tried to circumvent those instructions by quoting Paul to
refute Paul; for example Gal 3:26-28

But if we were to make Gal 3:26-28 a rule in family affairs; then Christian
marriages would be non binary unisex arrangements; and that, to say the least, is
quite unacceptable.

Though both husband and wife are equals as believers, and equally Christ's body,
they are definitely not equals in marriage though they be one flesh; just as Christ
and his Father are not equals in the Godhead though they be one deity.
_
 
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● Eph 5:25-27 . . Husbands love your wives, etc.

The English word translated "love" in that passage is conjugated from the Greek
verb agapao (ag-ap-ah'-o) which is a very easy kind of love to practice because it's
more about benevolence than affection. Agapao-- unlike phileo (fil-eh'-o) --doesn't
require that we like people or be fond of them.

Examples of agapao are: kindness, courtesy, greetings, civility, loyalty,
thoughtfulness, sympathy, loyalty, lenience, tolerance, patience, charity, long
suffering, deference, hospitality, generosity, etc.

This is very fortunate because some wives are impossible to like. However, the
command to love one's enemies also applies in a man's relationship with a difficult
woman who's just as much his enemy as any other.
_
 
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● Eph 5:28-33a . . Husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who
loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds
and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-- for we are members of his body.

. . . For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his
wife, and the two will become one flesh. That's a profound mystery-- but I am
talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his
wife as he loves himself,

That, of course, is a practical application of the so-called golden rule; which first
shows up in the Bible at Lev 19:18, is applied at Lev 19:34, and reiterated at Matt
7:12 and Luke 6:31.

The opposite of the golden rule would be for a husband to do unto his wife the very
things that he does not enjoy being done to himself; either by word or by deed.

I'm not a qualified marriage counselor, but in my unprofessional opinion, were
couples to practice the golden rule in their association with each other, it would go
a long ways towards preventing their relationship from becoming a cold war instead
of a home.

There are toxic wives out there who do not deserve their husband's affections; and
in fact have done all in their power to destroy them. Nevertheless, it is his Christian
duty to continue looking after her, and to treat her well as if his very life depended
upon it in spite of the fact that she may be someone he deeply regrets courting.
_
 
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● Eph 5:33b . . The wife must respect her husband.

The Greek verb for "respect" essentially refers to fright; and is used just that way in
numerous places throughout the New Testament.

Some translate it "reverence" defined by Webster's as honor or respect; felt or
shown; which means that wives don't especially have to like their husbands in order
to respect them, nor even have to admire them. An attitude of respect will do in
lieu of felt respect. In other words: the Christian wife would do well to stifle the
disgust she feels for husband and be civil. (Matt 5:43-48, Luke 6:31-33)

* I overheard a female caller on radio imperiously announcing to Dr. Laura that she
couldn't respect her husband. So Dr. Laura asked her why. The caller responded:
Because he doesn't deserve it. So Laura asked the caller: Have you earned your
husband's love? The caller retorted: I don't have to deserve his love. It's a
husband's duty to love his wife just as she is.

So Laura pointed out that the caller was practicing a double standard. She
demanded that her husband love her unconditionally, while refusing to respect him
unconditionally. And on top of that; had the chutzpah to dictate the rules of
engagement regardless of how her husband might feel about it; thus making
herself not only impossible to like, but also quite difficult to live with.
_
 
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● Eph 6:1 . . Children, obey your parents in The Lord, for this is right.

The Greek word translated "obey" basically means to pay attention; viz: to heed; to
mind.

The primary reason given for children minding their parents is simply that it's the
right thing to do.

The parents of the command are "in The Lord" in other words, this rule doesn't
pertain to kids with secular parents; which is a good loop hole because there may
come times for kids to disobey their parents out of loyalty to a higher power. (cf.
Matt 4:10, Matt 10:37)

Incidentally, notice how little the respect that parents get from their insolent
progeny in modern television sit-coms, Hollywood movies, and advertising. It's a
reflection of modern American culture's attitude towards doing what's right. Kids
today are encouraged to do what's wrong in their homes instead of doing what's
right. Modern entertainment trains children how to be demonic instead of divine.

* Kids that mind their parents are usually much the happier for it. The brats and
the rebellious typically end up living in a home that's more like Hell than Heaven.
_
 
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● Eph 6:2-3 . . Honor your father and mother-- which is the first commandment
with a promise --that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on
the earth.

The promise doesn't guarantee long life; it promises that, should you perchance
survive to a ripe old age, they'll be good years. In other words; though a demon
seed may live long and prosper, that doesn't necessarily mean they'll have a
pleasant time of it. Things like happiness, peace, love, understanding, satisfaction,
and contentment may end up eluding them every step of the way.

The Greek word translated "honor" in Eph 6:2 basically means to prize, viz: to fix a
valuation upon; to revere, to think highly of.

The very same word is used at Matt 15:4-6 where Jesus related the fifth
commandment to caring for one's dependent parents. Compare that to 1Tim 5:4
where it's said:

"If a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their
religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents
and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God."

I should point out that one's parents need not be deserving of honor. They only
need to be one's parents; whether good parents or bad parents makes no
difference. Compare that to Lev 19:32 where respect for senior citizens is required
merely because God says so. The senior need not earn people's respect; all that's
required of them is old age.
_
 
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● Eph 6:4 . . Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the
training and instruction of The Lord.

Too often the first half of that verse is omitted and the focus swung entirely upon
the second. Well; let's break ranks and include the first half for a change because a
daddy's parenting style has far more effect upon a growing child than his religion.

To begin with: despotism, tyranny, totalitarianism, and injustice are not The Lord's
way of raising kids; but rather; His way is the manner of a shepherd; and "good"
shepherds aren't cruel to their flocks.

Maybe you don't burn your kids with cigarettes, pour Tabasco sauce in their eyes,
or lock them in a hall closet without food and water for two days; but do you ignore
their opinions, demean them with denigrating labels, ridicule them, threaten their
lives, work them as slaves without compensation, deny them things just so you
won't appear to indulge them, and/or say "no" to their requests for no good reason
than that you don't want to seem weak and under their control?

Do you routinely abuse their human rights, and/or relegate them to the level of
livestock rather than bona fide human beings with feelings and a mind of their own?
Do you nurture within them a feeling of importance, of belonging in your home, or
do you make them feel like an invasive species and/or an uninvited guest? Kids pick
up on things like that.
_
 
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● Eph 6:5-6 . . Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with
sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their
favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from
your heart.

The Greek word translated "slaves" is ambiguous; it can mean slaves by either
voluntary or involuntary means.

The first would be something like an indentured slave; which Webster's defines as a
contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time. Jacob is
a good biblical example of indentured slavery. He sold fourteen years of his life to
uncle Laban in exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage. (Gen 29:18, Gen 29:27)

The practical application applies to giving one's employer an honest day's work for
an honest day's pay. But pay is not really the primary issue. Subordination is the
primary issue, and has been in this epistle since 5:21. Christ's followers may not
like the idea, but they are not independent agents with Christ; no, he owns them:
bought and paid for as flesh on the line.

"You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your
body." (1Cor 6:19-20)

So then, the Father's people really ought to serve workplace employers with a
conscientious regard for their indentured-slavery status with Christ; which is really
difficult for American believers because their country has such an abhorrence for
slavery and such a high regard for freedom, revolution, and independence; and
when they're mistreated and/or treated unfairly, they react; which is not always a
good thing for Christians to do. (e.g. 1Pet 2:18-19)
_
 
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● Eph 6:9a . . And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten
them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in Heaven,

I have yet to discover a passage in the Bible either condemning or forbidding
slavery. I'm not saying there are none; it's just that as for myself, I have yet to run
across one. But I have discovered passages related to the treatment of slaves.

"in the same way" hails back to Eph 6:7 where it says:

"With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men"

Note that herein masters are not required to liberate their slaves; rather, to treat
them with good will; roughly defined as benevolent interest or concern, i.e.
kindness and charity.

In a situation where both the slave and his owner are Christians, things become
just a bit complicated because they're siblings together in God's family (Gal 3:28).
Therefore, Christ's law is to be exemplified by both the slave and his master.

● John 15:12-13 . . My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

A slave owner willing to sacrifice his life to protect his slaves would be an unusual
master; but that is the very thing expected from him when he's a Christian and his
slaves are Christians; and should probably be the attitude of a Christian supervisor
towards his Christian employees: which is the attitude of a good shepherd rather
than that of a self-serving predator.
_
 
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● Phil 1:27 . .Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the
gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my
absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for
the faith of the gospel.

"conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ" is talking about
Christian social skills, e.g. kindness, courtesy, tact, diplomacy, tolerance, lenience,
civility, encouragement, sympathy, compassion, etc.

Those kinds of behaviors have the effect of bonding people instead of alienating
them. When people are bonded, they are more likely to pull together instead of
working independently and/or against each other as competitors, i.e. rivals.
_
 
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● Phil 1:28 . . In nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident
token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

That terror is likely relative to threats, coercion, intimidation, public opinion,
vandalism, rumors, 24/7 surveillance, tattling, lock downs, filtered information,
censoring, isolation, searches and seizures, raids, imprisonment, privation, insanely
huge bail bonds, long prison sentences for minor infractions, travel restrictions,
denial of basic human rights and civil liberties, limited medical care, frozen bank
accounts, black-outs of financial services (credit cards, debit cards, and ATM
machines) watch lists, and physical violence, etc.
_
 
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● Phil 2:1-2 . . If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any
comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and
compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same
love, being one in spirit and purpose.

"unity" is a buzz word among wokes, liberals, and cheap politicians; but these
instructions in no way pertain to those folks. No, the above is limited to a very
narrow cross section of society whom Jesus labeled: "those you have given me"
(John 17:9). It is they for whom Christ prayed for unity. (John 17:11, John 17:21-22)

The Greek word translated "tenderness and compassion" pertains to one's bowels
which is where we "feel" pity and/or sympathy for others.

* Feelings are easy to imitate, but not so easy to duplicate.
_
 
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● Phil 2:2-3 . . Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than yourselves.

If there is at least one place on earth where believers should be on the same plane
with each other it's church; but that's not always the case as human nature values3
status, and it's prone to rivalry.

Some people aren't content with mediocrity; no, they have to be head and
shoulders above the crowd, they have to be admired: they have to be feted, they
have to be heard, they have to be noticed, they have to be somebody, they have to
be a mover and a shaker, they have to be up in an ivory tower; they have to have
their finger on the pulse; they have to be in the limelight. And above all; they have
to be right because it is totally contrary to conceit's nature to be wrong about
anything; even superfluous minutiae.

If you should find yourself in a position around your church, whether as an usher or
a cook for men's Saturday morning prayer breakfast, make sure your heart's in the
right place because there is coming a performance evaluation for the Lord's sheep
where some of the elite are going to be very embarrassed when they're exposed for
the ambitious achievers they really are.

"He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness, and will expose the motives of
men's hearts." (1Cor 4:5)

An especially bad case of "vain conceit" is on display at 3John 1:9-10
_
 

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