Coffee With The Lord

“ENOUGH ALREADY!!”

I don’t know if anyone else’s parents used this figure of speech, but mine did.  I’ve heard it enough to know it’s been around awhile.  Put plainly, it simply communicates to children, “Stop whatever you’re doing that is wrong… IMMEDIATELY!  …And do what is right!”

In my Bible reading this morning the Apostle Paul almost used those exact words…

“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles [i.e. the unconverted] do, in the futility of their thinking.  They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.  Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.  That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus!  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”  (Ephesians 4:17–24)

Several things stood out to me as I read this passage this morning…

1. We are saved FROM our sinful past … our “freedom” should never be distorted to mean we can go on sinning! (check out Galatians 5.1, 13; Romans 6.1-2 and 1 Peter 2.16)

• Christianity is counter-cultural:  Our lives as Christians should stand out in stark contrast to the sinful values and practices of the prevailing culture… Not in a “holier-than-thou” way but in a loving, humble, redemptive way (but with conviction!).

• Verses 20-22 emphasize the importance of discipleship!  The Church (its spiritual leaders and fellow Christians) have a responsibility to help new Christians learn how to live the Christian life (it’s values, principles and practices).  In these verses Paul reminds the Christians in the area of Ephesus, “You were not discipled to go on living like those who do not know the Lord … put off the old self – put on the new!!”

“ENOUGH ALREADY!!”

A wonderful “sip” for those who may have experienced the Lord’s discipline (cp. Hebrews 12:5-11)

“Thus says the Lord GOD: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered… And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my commands and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God!” (Ezekiel 11:17-20 ESV)

Perhaps you’re a part of a congregation being torn apart by conflict.  There are accusations and counter accusations.  Bitterness fills the air.  Guests who visit the church, quickly sense the atmosphere of conflict, and then leave.  No one is coming to Christ and experiencing salvation.  Young people and children are caught in the middle.  Genuine disciple-making is at a standstill.  It seems like it’s every person for themselves… I could go on…

What to do in a situation like that?!!

Well, I read a wonderful passage this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” that provides some wonderful “apostolic help”!!!  The Apostle Paul wrote these words to some churches that were being torn apart by conflict… (read the context carefully and you’ll see his emphasis on unity! 🙂  Here’s his advice…

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received!  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace…” (Ephesians 4.1-3)

Then he goes on in the verses that follow… If I might paraphrase… “Recognize, affirm and focus on what you have in common (rather than the things that divide you) – vss. 4-6!  Then he encourages each of their gifted leaders to use their gifts “so that the body of Christ might be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (i.e. more and more like Jesus – personally and collectively).  (Verses 11-16).

Wow!!  What incredible apostolic pastoral advice!!

Listen!!  I don’t know if conflict characterizes the congregation you’re a part of, but you can make a difference there!  You can be an agent God uses in your congregation to help bring reconciliation, healing and spiritual health.  The Lord wants every congregation to be “the Body of Christ” in their community … to be His hands, His feet, His voice, His healing presence that community, representing Him without distortion in the power of the Holy Spirit!