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“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10 (ESV)

“Unless we know the enemy we face and how to defeat him, however, our efforts to live out the gospel are for naught.” – Dr. R. C. Sproul

The believer in Christ is engaged in spiritual warfare. The enemies are the world, the flesh, and the Devil (1 John 2:15–17; Gal. 5:16; 1 Peter 5:8). The Apostle Paul has already referred to this reality in his letter to the Ephesians church (Eph. 1:19; 3:16). He now begins to address the subject in detail in this same letter’s concluding portion.

Every Christian struggles with sin (Hebrews 12:3-4). Temptation to disobey and dishonor God arise from without and within the believer in Christ. What John Bunyan called The Holy War will not cease for the believer until God calls them home to heaven. Until then, the war is ongoing and exhausting. It is just because of this ongoing and exhausting battle in sanctification that Paul begins his treatise on spiritual warfare with the words from today’s text.

The word finally (λοιπός; loipos) refers to the rest of what the apostle has to say to the Ephesian church. Paul began this epistle with the subject of the believer’s election in eternity past (Ephesians 1:1-6). He concludes with the believer’s struggle with sin until eternity future.

The phrase be strong (ἐνδυναμόω; endynamoo) is a present passive imperative verb. It is a command for the believer to submit to God and receive the strength and ability that is needed to actively fight the good fight of faith (I Timothy 6:12). The phrase literally means become strong.

From where, and from whom, does this strength originate which the believer needs to effectively combat the world, the flesh and the devil? Paul provides the answer with the words in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

The phrase in the Lord (ἐν κύριος; en kurios) means in union with and joined to the Lord Jesus Christ. The believer can only be strengthened to engage in spiritual warfare with the resources found only by being in union with Christ. When the sinner is justified, the newly converted can strive, with God’s help, to be sanctified (Philippians 2:12-13).

Additionally, the apostle adds the phrase and in the strength of his might (ἐν ἰσχύς αὐτός κράτος; en ischys autos kratos). This means the capability to fight sin is solely from the power and ability that is found in the Lord.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Ultimately, Satan’s power over Christians is already broken and the great war is won through Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, which forever conquered the power of sin and death (Rom. 5:18–21; 1 Cor. 15:56–57; Heb. 2:14). However, in life on earth, battles of temptation go on regularly. The Lord’s power, the strength of his Spirit, and the force of biblical truth are required for victory (see notes on 2 Cor. 10:3–5).”

Take note of four things in today’s text. First, the family address: My brothers. Second, the exhortation: Be strong. Third, a cautionary warning: In the Lord. Fourth, a final encouragement: and in the strength of His might.

May all of us in Christ fight the good fight today with the strength we receive from the Lord Jesus. Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!  

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10 (ESV)

Following his encouragements to wives, husbands, children, parents, employees and employers, the Apostle Paul turns his attention once again to all believers. The subject the apostle focusses upon in his final words to the Ephesian church is spiritual warfare.

The battle ground is the believer’s struggle with sin (Hebrews 12:3-4). Scripture lists our main enemies as the world, the flesh, and the Devil (1 John 2:15–17; Gal. 5:16; 1 Peter 5:8). All are formable foes. However, to fight against any of these adversaries is to battle against the devil himself.

Rather than despair, the believer in Christ should be encouraged when faced with the inevitable spiritual conflict with sin. It is a sure indication the individual in question is a child of God. Such a conflict does not occur within the soul of the unconverted (Romans 3:9-20; Eph. 2:1-3).

The following is an excerpt from a letter by Martin Luther (Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel, trans. and ed. Theodore G. Tappert (orig., 1960; reprint, Vancouver, BC: Regent College Publishing, 2003), 85). It was written in July 1530 to Jerome Weller, a 31-year-old friend of Luther’s who had previously lived in the Luther home, tutored his children, and was now struggling with spiritual despair due to his battle against the world, the flesh and the devil.

Excellent Jerome, You ought to rejoice in this temptation of the devil because it is a certain sign that God is propitious and merciful to you.  

You say that the temptation is heavier than you can bear, and that you fear that it will so break and beat you down as to drive you to despair and blasphemy. I know this wile of the devil. If he cannot break a person with his first attack, he tries by persevering to wear him out and weaken him until the person falls and confesses himself beaten.

Whenever this temptation comes to you, avoid entering upon a disputation with the devil and do not allow yourself to dwell on those deadly thoughts, for to do so is nothing short of yielding to the devil and letting him have his way.

Try as hard as you can to despise those thoughts which are induced by the devil. In this sort of temptation and struggle, contempt is the best and easiest method of winning over the devil.

Laugh your adversary to scorn and ask who it is with whom you are talking.

By all means flee solitude, for the devil watches and lies in wait for you most of all when you are alone. This devil is conquered by mocking and despising him, not by resisting and arguing with him. . .

When the devil throws our sins up to us and declares we deserve death and hell, we ought to speak thus:

“I admit that I deserve death and hell.

What of it?

Does this mean that I shall be sentenced to eternal damnation?

By no means.

For I know One who suffered and made a satisfaction in my behalf.

His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Where he is, there I shall be also.”

Yours,

Martin Luther

Be strong today in the strength the Lord provides. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

“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 6:9 (ESV)

Many of us, even as believers in Christ, probably make better employees than we do employers. The responsibilities for our own work is often much easier than having to be ultimately responsible for the work performance and work ethic of others.

Being an employer can be frustrating when workers do not want to work but want to be paid for non-working. As one boss recently said, “I don’t pay people to stand around.”

What should be the biblical attitude of a Christian boss, or employer, in their relationship with their employees? Should it be any different from that of non-Christians? The Apostle Paul turns his attention to masters, or employers, in today’s text from Ephesians.

“Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening.” The word masters (κύριος; kurios) means owner, ruler or lord. It is the same word used when referring to the Lord Jesus Christ. In the immediate context, Paul was specifically referring to earthly slave masters, but his attention is equally applicable to today’s employers.

The phrase do the same to them (ποιέω αὐτός; poieo autos) is a present active imperative command from God. Employees are to obey, respect, be sincere, not be people-pleasers, are to do the will of God from the heart, and render service unto God and not primarily to man (Ephesians 6:5-8). Employers are to do the same with respect to their Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, especially in their treatment of their employees. Paul states that the Master of slaves and employees is the same Lord of slave owners or employers.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “Masters were to treat their slaves in the same way, that is, to please the Lord in their dealings with them. Slaves owners were not to keep threatening them but to treat them justly and fairly (cf. Col. 4:1; James 5:4) because they themselves were servants, with a Master who is an example to them. This, of course, is the Lord and He is the Master over both earthly masters and slaves. He shows no partiality, regardless of one’s rank (cf. Eph. 6:8).”

Employers are also to stop your threatening (ἀνίημι ἀπειλή; aniemi apeile). This means to forsake the verbal warning of doing someone harm. Christian employers are not to formally and verbally make threats to their workers.

Dr. R. C. Sproul adds that, “Christian leaders may warn those in their charge of the potential consequences of their actions, but leaders should also show grace to those laborers under them, encouraging their volunteers, staff members, and so forth. They have the same Lord as the Christians whom they supervise; consequently, they must lead by example, setting high but not impossible standards, and, insofar as they are able, they must endeavor to make it easy for others to serve them gladly.”

President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower once observed that “leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.”

An employee’s work is often hard. An employer’s work is often much harder. Let each of us, regardless of our status and responsibilities, pray and encourage each other by having a biblical work ethic. Have a blessed day at work.  

Soli deo Gloria!  

⁵ “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, ⁶ not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.” (Ephesians 6:5–8 (ESV)

Finally, the Apostle Paul wants all employees to understand that when our work here on earth is done, the Lord will recompense, or compensate, the believer for whatever work was done for God’s glory.

John Calvin writes. “What a powerful consolation! However unworthy, however ungrateful or cruel their masters may be, God will accept their (the worker’s) services as rendered to Himself.”  

The promise found in Ephesians 6:8 is not only for the well paid employee but also for the individual who does the most menial of tasks. In God’s sight, there is no distinction between the two people groups.

The phrase he will receive back (κομίζω; komizo) means cause to experience or to take care of. In simple terms, it means to be paid back (Matt. 25:27; Eph. 6:8; Col. 3:25; 2 Peter 2:13).

John Calvin concludes by stating, “No distinction is made between a slave and a free man. The world is wont to set little value on the labors of slaves; but God esteems them as highly as the duties of kings. In His estimate, the outward station is thrown aside and each is judged according to the uprightness of his heart.”

Have a blessed day as you serve our Lord well as we serve our employers well.

Soli deo Gloria!  

⁵ “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, ⁶ not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.” (Ephesians 6:5–8 (ESV)

What is to be the Christian’s perspective to their work, whether it be secular or sacred? Our work ethic, whether we are a mail carrier, a meat cutter, a massage therapist, or a manicurist, speaks to the type of person we are and the integrity, or the lack thereof that we possess.

The Apostle Paul continued his divinely inspired thoughts on work in Ephesians 6:7-8. These words serve the employee well and will benefit them whether they are a white collar or blue collar worker. In other words, it doesn’t matter whether you respectively work in an office or dig ditches for a living. All work is to be done for the honor and glory of God.

Ephesians 6:7 says, “⁷ rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man.” The phrase rendering service (δουλεύω; douleuo) means to serve in a humble manner. The godly employee is to esteem other workers as better than himself and to never seek to glorify himself.

Additionally, the Christian worker is to humbly do so with a good will (εὔνοια; eunoia). This means to perform your tasks at work with eagerness, wholeheartedness, enthusiasm and zeal. This is done when the Christian employee views their work as done for the Lord and ultimately not for men or the company.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “The fundamental tenet Paul unfolds in Ephesians 6:5–8 is that we serve our earthly supervisors with an eye to the Lord. We are servants of Christ before all else (v. 6), and key to serving Jesus well is doing the will of those in authority over us, insofar as that will does not violate God’s law, of course. Our Creator rules His creation through delegated authorities (Rom. 13:1–7); consequently, to obey the directives of authorities is to obey God Himself. Simply put, we cannot claim to be Christ’s servants if we do not heed those whom God has put over us. Such obedience must be rendered with respect, not begrudging contempt.”

Soli deo Gloria!

⁵ “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, ⁶ not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.” (Ephesians 6:5–8 (ESV)

I began working at the age of 16. My first job was sweeping the parking lot, and taking care of the grounds, of a Burger King Restaurant. Honestly, I never saw so many discarded cigarette butts in my life. It was a dirty job, as you can imagine. I eventually worked my way up to assistant manager. I learned lifelong lessons about work and working at that fast-food restaurant.

My second job was in the meat department of a local Detroit area grocery store chain, which was eventual purchased by Kroger. It too was a hard and physically exhausting job. My boss and fellow employees were serious and demanding. However, I eventually earned their respect. The job also resulted in lifelong benefits. It was there that I met the young lady who was to become my wife.

It was also during my time at the grocery store that I became a Christian. I learned the importance of reflecting my love for my Savior in my commitment to excellence in the job I performed. The two became intertwined.

The Apostle Paul addressed the integrity of one’s work in Ephesians 6:6. Paul wrote “not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,” Paul was referring to work and the attitude of slaves, or employees, to be obedient to their earthly masters, or employers. Paul stressed that obedience to one’s earthly master, or boss, was to be sincere.

The phrase eye-service (ὀφθαλμοδουλία; ophthalmodoulian), from which we derive our English word ophthalmologist, is a slang expression meaning to work hard only when the master is around. Additionally, the phrase people-pleasers ἀνθρωπάρεσκος; anthropareskos) concerns the attitude of trying to win a boss’ favor without really working hard.

The alternative is to approach work with the mental attitude of being a bondservant of Christ and doing your job from a heart dedicated to always bring glory to God (I Corinthians 10:31). This means doing the will of God in your mind, emotions and will.

Not all jobs are easy and not all bosses are easy to work for and with. Some can be overly demanding, demeaning and micromanaging. Others may come across as uncaring and unfeeling.

Regardless of your work environment, each day you report for work and punch in resolved to do everything you do and say for the glory of the God who saved you. That work ethic results in a legacy of labor that will endure well after you have retired from your job.

Remember, to serve one’s employer well is to serve Christ well. Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Nineteen: Of the Law of God.

1. God gave to Adam a law, as a covenant of works, by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it; and endued him with power and ability to keep it.^a

a. Gen 1:26-27 with 2:17; Job 28:28; Eccl 7:29; Rom 2:14-15; 5:12, 19; 10:5; Gal 3:10, 12.

2. This law, after his fall, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness; and, as such, was delivered by God upon mount Sinai in ten commandments, and written in two tablets;^a the first four commandments containing our duty towards God, and the other six our duty to man.^b

a. Exod 34:1; Deut 5:32; 10:4; Rom 13:8-9; James 1:25; 2:8, 10-12. • b. Mat 22:37-40.

3. Beside this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, as a Church under age, ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits;^a and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties.^b All which ceremonial laws are now abrogated under the New Testament.^c

a. Gal 4:1-3; Col 2:17; Heb 9 throughout; 10:1. • b. 1 Cor 5:7; 2 Cor 6:17; Jude 1:23. • c. Dan 9:27; Eph 2:15-16; Col 2:14, 16-17.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

⁵ “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, ⁶ not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.” (Ephesians 6:5–8 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul now addresses the relationship of employees and their employers. Instead of the word employee, Paul begins today’s text with the noun Bondservants (δοῦλος; doulos). The word bondservant means slave. A slave is an individual who is subservient to and controlled by a slave owner.

God commands slaves, or employees, to obey their earthly masters. The word obey (ὑπακούω; hypakouo) is a present active imperative or command. God commands Christian slaves, or employees, to obey His command to obey their earthly masters. To obey means to submit to a master’s authority.

The phrase earthly master (σάρξ κύριος; sarx kyrios) is a strong one. It means a human master, owner, or ruler. Bondservants and employees are to obey their human rulers as they would their heavenly ruler.

Obedience for one’s master, or boss, is to be done with fear (φόβος; phobos) meaning respect and reverence. Obedience is also to be done with trembling (τρόμος; tromos) which literally means to quake and to quiver.

This reverential and respectful obedience is to be done with a sincere heart (ἁπλότης καρδία; haplotes kardia). This means obedience is to be derived from pure motives in the employee’s mind, emotions and will. As a believer sincerely obeys the Lord Jesus, so also are they to obey their employer.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Slaves in both Greek and Roman culture had no rights legally and were treated as commodities. There was much abuse and seldom good treatment of slaves. The Bible does not speak against slavery itself, but against its abuses (cf. Ex. 21:16, 26–27; Lev. 25:10; Deut. 23:15–16). Paul’s admonition applies equally well to all employees. The term “obey” refers to continuous, uninterrupted submission to one’s earthly master or employer. The only exception being in regard to a command that involves clear disobedience of God’s word as illustrated in Acts 4:19–20.”

Colossians 3:23-25 says, “²³ Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.”

To serve one’s employer well is to serve Christ well. Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul spoke to children about their duty before the Lord to obey their parents. He now shifts his attention to parents concerning their duty before the Lord in raising their children.

Paul begins with the word fathers (πατήρ; pater). While the word may refer to both sets of parents, Paul uses the word father because it represents the head of the family.

What are fathers to do, or in the case not do, in raising their children? The texts says, “do not provoke your children to anger,” Do not provoke (μή παροργίζω; me parorgizo) means to not make angry or exasperate. Who are fathers not to provoke to anger? Their children (τέκνον; teknon) or offspring. These would be the same offspring Paul spoke of in Ephesians 6:1-3.

What fathers are to do is bring their children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. The phrase bring them up (ἐκτρέφω; ektrepho) means to raise, rear and bring up to maturity. The word discipline (παιδεία; paideia) means training and punishment. The word instruction (νουθεσία; nouthesia) refers to teachings, admonitions and warnings.  

A parent’s rearing, training and teaching of their children must be centered solely in the Lord. The Lord Jesus is to be the center of family relationships along with all instruction and wisdom.

Children are human beings made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). Parents must not abuse certain boundaries of discipline. In correcting their children, mothers and fathers are prohibited from inflicting serious physical injury (Ex. 21:20, 26–27; Prov. 22:15). Parents are also forbidden to embarrass, curse, or otherwise verbally, mentally, or emotionally abuse their kids (James 3:8–10). Obviously, sexual exploitation has no place in the home (Lev. 18; Deut. 5:18).

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Parents who are not obviously abusive can also provoke their children to anger. A legalistic spirit that emphasizes rules over relationships, making sons and daughters fear for the security of their places in the family, can incite rebellion. Arbitrary disciplinary standards as well as expectations that kids can never hope to meet can also lead to anger against parents and against God — the One whom parents, especially fathers, image to their children. Mothers and fathers who are not overtly abusive nonetheless fail miserably if they wrongly anger their kids in these ways.”

As a pastor, and previously a youth pastor, I have witnessed the legalistic and arbitrary authority of fathers over their children. The result was a deep anger and a corresponding rebellious spirit in their kids. Often, this escalated to a frigid atmosphere within the home. It also led to some children renouncing God’s existence. For other children, it crushed their spirits and caused them to withdraw into their own silent world.

As parents, and grandparents, we must never provoke our children to wrath. If we do, we must seek their forgiveness by confessing our sin against them. This may not be an easy thing to do, but it is the right thing to do.

Soli deo Gloria!   

“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.” (Ephesians 6:1–3 (ESV)

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12 (ESV)“

We are to honor our own father and mother. And this honor consists not only in respectful demeanor, but in this: that we obey them, look up to, esteem and heed their words and example, accept what they say, keep silent and endure their treatment of us, so long as it is not contrary to the first three Commandments; in addition, when they need it, that we provide them with food, clothing and shelter.” –Martin Luther

What does the Bible means when it says “honor your father and mother?” The word honor (τιμάω; timao) is a present, active imperative verb. It is a command from God. It means to show respect and to give recognition of an object’s high status. Believers in Christ are to honor God (I Samuel 2:30; I Peter 3:15). In this context, God commands children to honor their parents.

God gives this command and a reason for it: “this is the first commandment with a promise” Exodus 20:12 provides the promise: “that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

In the context of Exodus 20:12, God gave the promise through Moses to the Nation of Israel when they would enter and occupy the land the LORD was going to give them. The specific promise was for long days in the land God would give them. This promise continues, not only in the first century Roman world in which Paul lived, but also in today’s world.

Dr. R. C. Sproul explains, “Ancient Roman society, like most cultures throughout history, believed that children should listen to their parents and respect their elders. Indeed, no one can escape what the created order tells us about the propriety of kids obeying their mothers and fathers. Yet Scripture uniquely addresses children directly, commanding them as individuals with a moral sense of what they should and should not do. This elevates children from the status of mere possessions to persons, conferring upon them a dignity and worth not always given to them in unbelieving societies. Kids are not chattel who can be treated any way their parents like.”

How can children honor their parents, even when a child is an adult? One way is to provide for one’s parents as they become older and need physical assistance. For approximately a year and a half, my wife’s mother lived in our home. She could no longer live alone due to her increasing physical infirmities. My wife cooked, cleaned, and took her mom to various appointments. She also took care of her mom’s financial and personal needs. My wife truly showed honor to her mom up to, and even following, her mom’s home going to heaven.  

How may you, even as an adult, show honor to your parents today?

Soli deo Gloria!