Christ's Commandments

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Re: Christ's Commandments

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Eph 6:1 . . Children, obey your parents in The Lord, for this is right.

The koiné Greek word for "obey" in that verse is interesting. It's hupakouo (hoop-ak-oo'-o) which 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, have you noticed how little 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 rebellious ones typically end up living in a home from hell; i.e. dysfunctional.
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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, and contentment may end up eluding them every step of the way.

The koiné Greek word for "honor" in Eph 6:2 is timao (tim-ah'-o) which 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.
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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.

We're not talking about religious training here-- the focus is upon a daddy's parenting style. Despotism, tyranny, and unfairness 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.

But aren't there moms out there exasperating their kids? Of course! Mothers can be just as tyrannical, just as despotic, and just as unfair as dads.

I believe it is a Spirit-filled dad's sacred filial duty to defend his children from their own mother's abuses should the need arise. Not many dads are willing to do that because it means risking having the wife turn against him; so quite a few dads opt to sacrifice the children in order to keep momma happy. In my opinion, throwing one's own children to the wolves in order to avoid living in the same house with a moody woman has to be one of the worst possible sins a man can ever commit in his own home. It's just downright cowardly; and tells the kids they can't trust the one man in the whole world upon whom they should be able to rely in times of distress.

FYI: The Bible predicts that towards the end, parents will become callous with their babies.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For people shall be . . .without natural affection" ( 2Tim 3:1-3)

The koiné Greek word for "without natural affection" is astorgos (as'-tor-gos) which means: hard-hearted towards kindred; viz: lacking in sympathetic understanding i.e. unfeeling, pitiless, thoughtless, insensitive, cruel, and inhumane.
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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 koiné Greek word for "slaves" is doulos (doo'-los) which is an ambiguous word that can mean slaves by 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. Believers may not like the idea, but they are not independent agents with Christ; no, he owns you: 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)

I once worked with two Christian men in a welding shop who demanded a sit-down with the superintendent to air some grievances. I took it upon myself to remind them that Peter directed Christians to endure what they thought of as unfair treatment from employers (1Pet 2:18-25). Well, they ignored both me and Peter because they felt insulted to be treated like children by management and wouldn't rest until they told them so.

What you have there is a case of rabid male pride overruling The Lord's wishes. Not good. Peter was given the keys of the kingdom (Matt 16:19). If Christians believe that to be true, then for them, scorning Peter is all the same as their scorning Christ-- it's a domino effect all the way to the top.

"Whoever listens to you; listens to me. Whoever rejects you; rejects me. And whoever rejects me; rejects the one who sent me." (Luke 10:16)
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Eph 6:7-8 . . Slaves, serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving The Lord instead of men.

If believers wish to hear The Lord say "Well done thou good and faithful servant" then fighting with management is simply out of the question. No, don't fight, instead: bite the bullet.

"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." (Phil 1:29)

"Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

. . . For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not reciprocate; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously." (1Pet 2:18-24)

Now there's a good, practical application of turning the other cheek.
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Re: Christ's Commandments

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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,

The "masters" in that verse are limited to believing masters, not the world's.

If there is one political maxim that seems to ring true in every generation, it's that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It's in the human heart to abuse authority and to oppress and exploit people rather than manage them to everyone's advantage.

Believing masters, and believing slaves, are siblings in God's family. Therefore, Christ's law is to be exemplified by both the slave and by his master.

"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." (John 15:12-13)

A slave master willing to sacrifice his life to protect his slaves would be a very unusual master; but that is the very attitude of a Spirit-filled master towards his believing slaves; and should be the attitude of a Spirit-filled supervisor towards his believing employees: which is the attitude of a good shepherd rather than that of a self-serving predator.

The believing master's rank doesn't mitigate his accountability; he has no advantage over the believing slave. Both must give an accounting of themselves, and neither the master nor the slave will be given the slightest preferential treatment. No, they will be recompensed on the merits of their faithfulness; rather than their positions.

Eph 6:9b . . There is no favoritism with Him.
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[Catholic Crusader]

You kinda' got the whole thread to yourself dontcha'.

 

[popsthebuilder]

Only kinda.

Don't you have other more engaging topics to respond to?

You kinda' got the whole thread to yourself dontcha'.

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[WeberHome]

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You kinda' got the whole thread to yourself dontcha'.

You're welcome to stay here if you like. Christ's commands pertain to all Christians all over the world regardless of denominational affiliation; both Catholic and non Catholic.

I only ask that you not provoke people with flaming remarks like the one quoted above, nor start quarrels and/or off-topic discussions. That ruins perfectly good threads faster than anything.

If it is your intention to derail this thread, you'll probably succeed; but it would be nice if you went away instead and left us in peace.
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Re: Christ's Commandments

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Eph 6:10 . . Finally, be strong in The Lord, and in His mighty power.

The strength mandated there is the nature of combat readiness. When I was serving in the US Army back in the early 1960's, the term "up to strength" meant our unit had a full complement of soldiers ready for war with their weapons, their clothing, their munitions, their training, and their equipment.

But soldiers are not supposed to be mercenaries; no, they go to war under the authority and control of the country they serve. And soldiers pick neither their battles nor their theater of operations; no, superiors pick the battles and the theaters; and when they do so, the full power of their country is behind them, and its resources are at their disposal.

When Joshua was commissioned by God to conquer Canaan, Israel's commander-in-chief wasn't left to his own devices; no, at his disposal was the arsenal and counsel of Yhvh-- a source of intelligence and supernatural powers against which Joshua's enemies had absolutely no defense.

Every believer is a soldier in a war, and there's no neutral ground: you're either fighting with The Lord or you're fighting against The Lord because there's no such thing as conscientious objection in this conflict.

"He that is not with me is against me" (Matt 12:30)
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Re: Christ's Commandments

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Eph 6:11 . . Wear the full armor of God; so that you may stand against the Devil's tactics.

It's difficult to tell whether these wartime instructions pertain to individuals, to a whole church as if it's an individual, or to just church officers.

Joshua's operations were essentially offensive. He was commissioned to conquer and to colonize; but in the Christian's war, the operations are essentially defensive; viz: they're required to hold their ground rather than attack, i.e. to survive.

Why is this situation? Because according to Matt 28:18-20, his followers' mission is to recruit and indoctrinate-- not conquer and colonize as if we were supposed to be building Christ's kingdom on earth. No, forget that. Christ's followers are sojourners and pilgrims rather than colonizers. (1Pet 2:11)

Webster's defines a sojourner as a temporary resident.

A pilgrim is defined as one who journeys in foreign lands; viz: a wayfarer
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Re: Christ's Commandments

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Eph 6:13 . .Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

That's a call to arms if ever there was one. Christians are sort of like Minutemen; ready to fight and defend on a moment's notice.

The "full armor of God" includes not only body protection, but also any and all weapons as assigned (e.g. Luke 11:22). And the directive here is to have it all with you all the time, not just some of the time. Carelessness is just an open invitation to defeat by means of a sudden, surprise attack.

Eph 6:14a . . Hold fast therefore, having girded your waist with truth

Holding fast essentially means the same as standing your ground, i.e. perseverance.

Men in that day usually didn't wear pants. They typically wore some type of skirt; which, if of the Bedouin variety, was a bit cumbersome and made it difficult to maneuver. So when it came time for activities like say running, climbing, building homes, or digging ditches, they would pull the lower ends of their skirt up around their waste and hold them in place with a belt; thus giving themselves a little more leg room.

Webster's defines "truth" as the real facts about something. Anybody who's been on Christian internet forums for any length of time is aware that there are many facts floating around out in cyberspace that well-meaning people sincerely believe are the real facts; and they are constantly arguing amongst themselves trying to prove that their facts are the real facts and the other guys facts are fiction.

Well; they can't all be girded with the real facts so I think it's safe to assume that a percentage of Christians out there are girded with fake facts; and they don't know it. Of course everybody thinks it's always the other guy who's got it wrong because it is unimaginable to suspect that we ourselves might be the ones with a head full of baloney; which is at least one of the reasons why I encourage the practice of courtesy, patience, and tolerance just in case the hapless day should arrive that we are forced to eat our words.

It ain't what you know that gets you into trouble.
It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.
(Mark Twain)
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Re: Christ's Commandments

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Eph 6:14b . . having on the breastplate of righteousness

The obvious parallel here is a flak jacket; which won't always stop a high powered rifle bullet, but is pretty effective against secondary missiles, grenade fragments, and small arms like pistols, knives, spears, swords, and archery.

I would have to say that the righteousness in this passage pertains to one's personal conduct rather than the imputed righteousness a believer obtains by means of Jesus' crucifixion. So then; in order to be strong in The Lord's mighty power; a believer has to be in fellowship with God; and His fellowship is not obtainable by those whose conduct is unbecoming.

"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth." (1John 1:5-7)

Joshua found out the hard way that personal righteousness is essential in order to keep The Lord on your side. His men attacked a little community called Ai (Josh 7:2-12) and lost big because their conduct was curse-worthy rather than victory-worthy.

It's essential that a soldier serve with honor because in spite of all his combat readiness and/or his courage under fire, that man will find himself in front of a courts martial looking at the business end of the rifle barrel of military justice instead of serving his country on the battlefield if he doesn't toe the mark and keep his nose clean. And a soldier in the stockade is one less soldier in action.

"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." (2Tim 2:20-21)
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Re: Christ's Commandments

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Eph 6:15 . . and with your feet shod with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

One's feet can be likened to the foundation of a building; i.e. just as the foundation of a building holds it all up and in place; so one's entire body is held up by its feet. Most foundations are protected from damage by their location underground and most people's feet are protected by footwear of some kind.

The Christian faith is primarily based upon the gospel as per Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. When Christians have only a cursory knowledge and/or understanding of those four aspects, then their faith is vulnerable to destruction.

"He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.

. . .Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. (Eph 4:11-14)
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Re: Christ's Commandments

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Eph 6:16 . . In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

The koiné Greek word for "extinguish" is sbennumi (sben'-noo-mee) which means primarily to quench. The same word is used at Heb 11:34 in regard to the three Hebrew lads in Daniel 3:19-27. The angel that was dispatched to protect Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn't actually snuff out the fiery furnace, but rather, prevented its flames from burning the boys: in other words, faith is a protective barrier; i.e. insulation.

Let me ask you something. Is your faith in Christ built upon logic alone, or is it built upon a blend of logic and intuition? In other words: is it only academic? Well; let me tell you something, there had better be an element of intuition somewhere in your faith because logic can be easily dismantled while feelings are not easily dispelled no matter how much clever logic is thrown at them.

I've been asked several times in the past how I know that my beliefs are true. My answer is: I don't know if they're true. Then of course they follow up with: Then why do you believe your beliefs are true when you have no way of knowing they're true?

Most of the people who ask me those kinds of questions are genuine: they're not trying to trip me up and make a fool out of me. They really are curious about it. So I tell them that though I don't know if my beliefs are true; my intuition insists they are.

Faith is believin' what you know ain't so.
(Mark Twain)

Apparently the influence that one's intuition has upon their faith is normal because the Bible says that in order to be saved by faith in Christ's resurrection; one must believe not in their head but in their heart. Well; my head says that his resurrection is questionable; but my gut says it's 100% true. In other words; I believe with my heart rather than only my intellect.

Below is an example of what I'm talking about.

"If you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be spared. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified." (Rom 10:9-10)

Interesting isn't it? And yet Christians all over the world resolutely deny the role that feelings play in their system of beliefs. Well, they've got a problem; because if they are only believing in Christ's resurrection with their intellect sans any gut input whatsoever; then they are just as surely lost as if they were an atheist. And as for having faith as a shield? Forget it. Not happening.

People whose faith includes an element of feelings instead of logic alone are nigh bullet proof. No matter if someone were to prove beyond a shadow of any sensible doubt that there never was a Jesus who died and came back from the dead; the person whose faith is reinforced by their gut is unshakable because it's like they say: "A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still." Lot of truth in that.

"The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. (Matt 13:20-21)

That man has no root because his intellect is insufficient to hold him in Christ. No, a man's IQ is shallow ground indeed. The best ground is the human will; which isn't located in a man's head; it's located in his heart; the very core of his being, so to speak. The human will is easily strong enough to defy reason, and often does.
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Re: Christ's Commandments

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Eph 6:17 . .Take the helmet of salvation

Helmets protect one's head; the abode of your mind.

When it's suspected that somebody isn't thinking clearly and/or acting right; they're commonly told to "come to your senses". Well; that phrase is actually in the NLT.

"What value was there in fighting wild beasts-- those men of Ephesus --if there will be no resurrection from the dead? If there is no resurrection then let's feast and get drunk, for tomorrow we die!

. . . Don't be fooled by those who say such things, for bad company corrupts good character. Come to your senses and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don't even know God. (1Cor 15:32-34)

The gladiators about whom Paul spoke expected no future for themselves; neither in this life nor the next so they lived their lives-- as we say --like there's no tomorrow; so they were highly motivated to grab all the pleasure they could get while, and whenever, it was available.

Well; Christians ought not to be thinking like that because salvation includes a new body (Rom 8:23-23). So don't live your life with a gladiator's attitude-- in point of fact; it's a sin to do so. Instead, have faith in God that another life is on the way; and it's better than the one you've got now.

"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

. . . For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory." (1Cor 15:51-54)

"Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Phil 3:20-21)
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Re: Christ's Commandments

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Eph 6:18a . . Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

Some translations render that verse like this:

"Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit."

But that's not a translation; rather, it's an interpretation because the word "power" is not in the Greek manuscript; so I don't recommend that people delay their prayers until a wave of divine energy comes over them.

Praying in the Spirit is just another way of walking in the Spirit, i.e. in accord with the Spirit, a.k.a. in step with the Spirit; and the Sprit has somewhat to say about prayer.

"When you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition" (Matt 6:7)

Rote prayers like the Hail Mary and/or the Our Father are impersonal; they tell God nothing about yourself. And worse: rote prayers are no different than chanting mantras; they treat God like a totem pole and insult His intelligence. Here's the Spirit's way.

"We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need." (Heb 4:15-16)

The koiné Greek word for "confidence" in Heb 4:16 is parrhesia (par-rhay-see'-ah) which means: all out-spokenness; viz: frankness, bluntness. In other words: it's okay to speak one's mind, to be candid-- just as we might hang out with beer buddies and/or Alcoholics Anonymous. That is a whole lots more in step with the Spirit than reciting rote and/or stuffing pieces of paper in the stone chinks of the so-called Wailing Wall.

"Pray without ceasing" (1Thess 5:17)

In other words; people ought not let their concerns pile up. The time for people to speak with God about their concerns is when they are concerned.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." (Phil 4:6)

The sooner people make their concerns known to God; the sooner their minds can be set at ease.

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:7)

C.S. Lewis, famed author of The Screwtape Letters, and The Chronicles of Narnia; once remarked that he prayed, not because he expected results but, because it made him feel better. Well, if prayer makes you feel better, then more power to you-- in point of fact, I highly recommend conversational prayer because talking things out with somebody, even an imaginary playmate, is far and away better than talking things out with nobody.
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Re: Christ's Commandments

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Eph 6:18b . . Be alert

When the Jews were re-building Jerusalem's wall under Nehemiah's command; they were armed to the teeth like Minute Men as they toiled. (Neh 4:15-21).

Plus, they were not only prepared each man to defend himself, but ready to come to the aid of others too. The old saw "United we stand, Divided we fall" is just as true in Christianity as it is in human warfare. Hence:

Eph 6:18c . . Always keep on praying for all the saints.

The koiné Greek word for saints is hagios (hag'-ee-os) which means sacred; but most of the time it's translated "holy" i.e. belonging to, and/or dedicated to, God. In some instances it means divine and/or having a divine quality; e.g. the Holy Spirit. In this passage it probably refers to Christ's believing followers; viz: one's fellow Christians.

The rule is to always pray for "all" the saints; not just the special ones like pastors, deacons, and missionaries. I've seen it happen that when church managers call for prayer, it's typically not prayer for the whole church; but prayer for themselves. Well; that's fine as far as it goes; but let's not neglect to pray for the congregation too.
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Re: Christ's Commandments

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Phil 1:27 . . Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel

"let your conversation" is from the Greek word politeuomai (pol-it-yoo'-om-ahee) which means to behave as a citizen. It appears to me that Paul is talking about something akin to the lyrics below:

No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
-- John Donne --

In other words: politeuomai speaks of a unified community rather than random independent individuals.

"as it becometh the gospel of Christ" likely has reference to the Lord's wishes that his followers be as united together in purpose as he is with his Father. (John 10:30, John 17:22)

Phil 1:28 . . And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

Adversity's goal is to thwart and/or discourage. This is not to say that Christ's followers are forbidden to be at all intimidated by adversity. It's all in how they cope with it.

Take for instance king Hezekiah in the 18th and 19th chapters of the book of 2Kings. When Sennacherib's army threatened to take Jerusalem, Hezekiah got scared but he also got to praying. Even had his prayers been futile, it was still the right thing to do.

Ezra also encountered adversity when he returned to Israel to oversee reconstruction of the Temple but stood tall and prayed his way through all of it.

When churches are effective for Christ, they have to expect bumps in the road; but bumps in the road aren't the end of the road; they're just inconvenient.
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Re: Christ's Commandments

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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 ecumenicals; but Christ's directive in no way pertains to people whose core belief it is that no one's wrong, and everyone's a Christian if they say so. No, The Lord's directive only pertains to a very narrow cross section of Christians whom he labeled: "those you have given me" (John 17:9). It is they for whom The Lord prayed for unity. (John 17:11, John 17:21-22)
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