His Word Today

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1–2 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul issues forth his third therefore since he began the application section in Ephesians 4:1. Be reminded that the word therefore indicates a conclusion.

God has justified sinners by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 1-3). Therefore, believers in Christ are to walk and live in a manner worthy of God’s calling unto justification (Ephesians 4:1). Believers in Christ are to no longer live like the unconverted (Ephesians 4:17).

Believers in Christ are also to be imitators of God. An imitator (μιμητής; mimetes) is a person who does what others do. In this particular context, the person believers are to imitate is solely none other than God.

We are to imitate God because we are His beloved children. Beloved (ἀγαπητός; agapetos) means to be the object of God’s self-sacrificial love of the will (Ephesians 2:1-10). Beloved is another word for grace. It is on the basis of God’s gracious love that believers are His offspring. He is our heavenly Father (Matthew 6:9).

It is because we are God’s children by grace that we are to live lifestyles of grace. Believers are commanded to walk (περιπατέω; peripateo) or behave in love (ἀγάπη; agape). Paul sets forth the character of this type of love life in I Corinthians 13:1-8.

We live in love as Jesus Christ loved (ἀγαπάω; agapao) us when we were spiritually dead sinners (Ephesians 2:1-3). The phrase gave himself up for us (παραδίδωμι; paradidomi) refers to Christ’s substitutionary atonement on the cross on behalf of sinners (Romans 3:21-26; 5:1-10; I Peter 2:24-25).

Christ’s substitutionary atonement is compared to a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. A fragrant offering (προσφορά; prosphora) is a sacrifice and presentation to God (Acts 21:26; 24:17; Rom. 15:16; Eph. 5:2; Heb. 10:5, 8, 10, 14, 18). A sacrifice (θυσία; thysia) is another word for an offering to God (Matt. 9:13; Luke 13:1; Acts 7:41; Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 10:18; Eph. 5:2; Php. 4:18; Heb. 5:1; 9:26; 10:1; 13:15, 16; 1 Peter 2:5). This is what our lives are to be unto the Lord.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Christ’s offering of himself for fallen man pleased and glorified his heavenly Father, because it demonstrated in the most complete and perfect way God’s sovereign, perfect, unconditional, and divine kind of love. Leviticus describes five offerings commanded by God for Israel. The first three were: 1) the burnt offering (Lev. 1:1–17), depicting Christ’s perfection; 2) the grain offering (Lev. 2:1–16), depicting Christ’s total devotion to God in giving his life to please the Father; and 3) the peace offering (Lev. 3:1–17), depicting his peacemaking between God and man. All three of these were a “pleasing aroma to the LORD” (Lev. 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9, 12; 3:5, 16). The other two offerings, the sin offering (Lev. 4:1–5:13) and the guilt, or trespass, offering (Lev. 5:14–6:7), were repulsive to God because, though they depicted Christ, they depicted him as bearing sin (cf. Matt. 27:46). In the end, when redemption was accomplished, the whole work pleased God completely.”

May each of us strive today to please the Lord as children of God. This is our great privilege because of our gracious position. With great privilege comes great responsibility.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

The Holy Spirit of God is grieved when believers in Christ sin (Ephesians 4:30-31). It stands to reason that the Holy Spirit of God is pleased when believers in Christ seek to live holy lives (I Peter 1:16).

What are behaviors and attitudes which please the Holy Spirit of God? The Apostle Paul provides a sampling of a Christ-like life in today’s text. We have thus far seen that to be kind to one another pleases God.

Tenderheartedness pleases God. To be tenderhearted (εὔσπλαγχνος; eusplanchnos) means to be compassionate and to behave with dignity. It is the opposite of being hard hearted and unfeeling.

Forgiving one another pleases God. To be forgiving (χαρίζομαι; charizomai) is a present, active participle. It is a behavior which is to be consistent in the Christian’s life. It means to cancel a debt. In other words, we do not hold a grudge against another believer when they have sinned against us. While we may never be their best friend, we resolve to not be their worst enemy.

This attitude and behavior of forgiveness should be done in light of all that God has forgiven us. This has been accomplished by the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Those who have been forgiven so much by God should, of all people, forgive the relatively small offenses against them by others. The most graphic illustration of this truth is the parable of Matt. 18:21–35.”

Who is it that has sinned against you? Resolve today to no longer be unforgiving towards them. Continue this resolve when feelings of anger begin creeping into your mind, emotions and will.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

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 Sixteen: Of Good Works. Part 4.

7. Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others;^a yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith,^b nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word,^c nor to a right end, the glory of God;^d they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God.^e And yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God.^f

a. 1 Kings 21:27, 29; 2 Kings 10:30-31; Phil. 1:15-16, 18. • b. Gen. 4:3-5 with Heb. 11:4, 6. • c. Isa. 1:12; 1 Cor. 13:3. • d. Matt. 6:2, 5, 16. • e. Amos 5:21-22; Hosea 1:4; Hag. 2:14; Rom. 9:16; Titus 1:15; 3:5. • f. Job 21:14-15; Ps. 14:4; 36:3; Matt. 23:23; 25:41-45.

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

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “God is grieved when his children refuse to change the old ways of sin for those righteous ways of the new life. It should be noted that such responses by the Holy Spirit indicate he is a person. His personhood is also indicated by personal pronouns (John 14:17; 16:13), his personal care of believers (John 14:16, 26; 15:26), his intellect (1 Cor. 2:11), feelings (Rom. 8:27), will (1 Cor. 12:11), speaking (Acts 13:2), convicting (John 16:8–11), interceding (Rom. 8:26), guiding (John 16:13), glorifying Christ (John 16:14), and serving God (Acts 16:6–7).”

The Holy Spirit of God is grieved when believers in Christ sin (Ephesians 4:30-31). It stands to reason that the Holy Spirit of God is pleased when believers in Christ seek to live holy lives (I Peter 1:16).

What are behaviors and attitudes which please the Holy Spirit of God? The Apostle Paul provides a sampling of a Christ-like life in today’s text.

Be kind to one another pleases God. The state of being verb be (γίνομαι; ginomai) is a present, middle imperative verb. This means the God is commanding believers to personal obedience. This is to be an active obedience. It is to characterize the believer’s existence.

What is the believer in Christ to be? Kind! Kind and kindness (χρηστός; chrestos) means to be loving and gracious (Luke 6:35; Rom. 2:4; Eph. 4:32; 1 Peter 2:3). Kindness is a characteristic of self-sacrificial love of the will (I Corinthians 13:4).

God’s command for the believer in Christ to be kind is specifically to be directed towards other Christians. Believes are to keep on becoming kind to one another. We are to be useful to one another.

Kindness can be evidenced in a variety of ways. For example, it may involve picking up an individual’s groceries when they are housebound. It can involve mowing an individual’s grass or raking their leaves. It can also be picking them up for church. These are but three of hundreds of ways we can be kind and useful to one another. How may you be kind today to a fellow believer in Christ?

Soli deo Gloria!

^30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:30–31 (ESV)

Yesterday we examined Ephesians 4:30. The text commands believers in Christ to not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. To grieve someone is to cause them pain, distress, or sadness. It becomes apparent that the Christian can and does cause the Spirit of God to be grieved. But how?

The answer to this question is found in Ephesians 4:31. It is in this text that the Apostle Paul outlines six ways in which believers in Christ grieve God the Holy Spirit.

Bitterness grieves God. Bitterness (πικρία; pikria) is persistent resentment and spite towards someone (Romans 3:14; Hebrews 12:15). Bitterness can also be displayed by being terribly envious (Acts 8:13).

Wrath grieves God. Wrath (θυμός; thymos) is an intense fury and rage (Luke 4:28; Acts 19:28; Rom. 2:8). Wrath is an outburst of anger.

Anger grieves God. Anger (ὀργή; orge) is a continuous state of wrath or fury (Mark 3:5; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; 1 Tim. 2:8; Heb. 3:11; 4:3; James 1:19, 20+). Anger is settled and continuing emotion.

Clamor grieves God. Clamor (κραυγή; krauge) shouting and screaming. This behavior is done presumably in wrath or anger. It is a brawling personality.

Slander grieves God. Slander (βλασφημία; blasphemia) is speech intended to defame, malign, and revile another individual. It is hateful speech. It is malicious speech. When directed towards God it is called blaspheme.

Malice grieves God. Malice (κακία; kakia) is a wicked or hateful feelings of emotion. It is ill will.

God commands that all these behaviors and emotions be put away (αἴρω; airo). This means to personally and obediently destroy and execute these unrighteous acts and attitudes.  

Are any of these six on your personal hit list? Which ones would you describe as a besetting sin? Confess and repent of each and every one which is evident in your life.      

Soli deo Gloria!

^“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers in Ephesus, and all Christians everywhere, to put off their old sinful pre-converted desires and behavior, be renewed in their minds through the Word of God, and to put on their new regenerated behavior. This new self is characterized by holiness in desire and righteousness in behavior.

What exactly does righteous and holy behavior look like in our everyday world and culture? It is at this point that Paul becomes specific in the practical biblical truth set forth in Ephesians 4:22-24.

Ephesians 4:25 commands believers in Christ to always speak the truth to their neighbors. Ephesians 4:26-27 addresses the subject of righteous anger. Ephesians 4:28 contrasts stealing vs. working. Ephesians 4:29 commands believers to have gracious speech. Ephesians 4:30 addresses the subject of grieving the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:30 begins with a present, active imperative statement: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. To grieve (λυπέω; lypeo) someone is to make them sad or distressed. It is bad enough when Christians grieve other Christians. However, it is even more grievous when the recipient is the Holy Spirit.

Paul describes the Holy Spirit as the One who has sealed (σφραγίζω; sphragizo) each believer in Christ. Therefore, each believer is secure in Christ. This sealing ministry is established until the Lord’s return or the Day of Redemption.

Dr. R. C. Sproul comments that, “That the Holy Spirit can be grieved is an indication of His being a person and not an impersonal force. The idea is not new to the New Testament, as is clear from Paul’s quotation of the prophet Isaiah (63:10). The divisive attitudes and behaviors forbidden (see Ephesians 4:31) disrupt the unity that the Spirit has established in Christ’s church (Ephesians 4:3).”

Let each of us resolve to not grieve anyone today. This especially applies to the believers’ relationship with the Holy Spirit of God. Have a God honoring day.

Soli deo Gloria!

^“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers in Ephesus, and all Christians everywhere, to put off their old sinful pre-converted desires and behavior, be renewed in their minds through the Word of God, and to put on their new regenerated behavior. This new self is characterized by holiness in desire and righteousness in behavior.

What exactly does righteous and holy behavior look like in our everyday world and culture? It is at this point that Paul becomes specific in the practical biblical truth set forth in Ephesians 4:22-24.

Ephesians 4:25 commands believers in Christ to always speak the truth to their neighbors. Ephesians 4:26-27 addresses the subject of righteous anger. Ephesians 4:28 contrasts stealing vs. working. Ephesians 4:29 commands believers to have gracious speech.

Ephesians 4:29 begins with this imperative phrase: Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths. The word no (μή; me) is a negative adverb. In other words, by no means is the believer to do something. What the believer is to never do is speak in a corrupt[U1]  manner. Corrupting (σαπρός; sapros) is an adjective meaning harmful unwholesome and worthless. Talk (λόγος; logos) means speech, statements and sayings. In brief, the believer in Christ is not to engage in harmful or hurtful speech.

The speech a believer is to have is that which builds up (οἰκοδομή; oikodome) and edifies. It is speech which fits the particular occasion (χρεία; chreia) or what is particularly needed to be heard at the proper time. This type of appropriate speech imparts grace to those who hear.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “The word for “corrupting” refers to that which is foul or rotten, such as spoiled fruit or putrid meat. Foul language of any sort should never pass a Christian’s lips, because it is totally out of character with his new life in Christ (see Col. 3:8; James 3:6–8; cf. Ps. 141:3). The Christian’s speech should be instructive, encouraging, uplifting (even when it must be corrective), and suited for the moment (cf. Prov. 15:23; 25:11; 24:26). Believers have been saved by grace and kept by grace, they should live and speak with grace. Our Lord set the standard (Luke 4:22).”

We speak every day. Let each of us consciously examine how we speak and the character of our speech. May we resolve to always speak graciously.  

Have a God honoring day.

Soli deo Gloria!

---

 [U1]

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Ephesians 4:28 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers in Ephesus, and all Christians everywhere, to put off their old sinful pre-converted desires and behavior, be renewed in their minds through the Word of God, and to put on their new regenerated behavior. This new self is characterized by holiness in desire and righteousness in behavior.

What exactly does righteous and holy behavior look like in our everyday world and culture? It is at this point that Paul becomes specific in the practical biblical truth set forth in Ephesians 4:22-24.

Ephesians 4:25 commands believers in Christ to always speak the truth to their neighbors. Ephesians 4:26-27 addresses the subject of righteous anger. Ephesians 4:28 contrasts stealing vs. working.

To begin with, the apostle Paul states let the thief no longer steal. A thief (κλέπτω; klepto) is an individual who steals from someone else. For the believer in Christ, God’s command is to no longer steal.

Instead, the believer in Christ is to work: but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands. Labor (κοπιάω; kopiao) is a present active command to work hard and to toil for what one seeks to acquire. The believer is to do work (ἐργάζομαι; ergazomai) and to accomplish a task with his/her own hands. The purpose of work is not solely to acquire stuff, but also to share from one’s resources to those who are in need.  

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “Christians are not to steal, but are to work in order to give to the needy. A thief takes from others for his own benefit, whereas a believer is to work, doing something useful (agathon, “beneficial”; cf. v. 29) with his own hands for the purpose of sharing with those in need. This is true Christian charity. Work has many benefits: it provides for a person’s material needs, it gives him something useful to do (something that is beneficial to himself and others), and it enables him to help others materially.”     

Believers are to be content with what they have and work hard; not only to maintain what they possess, to acquire what they do not presently have, but also to share with those who are in true need.

Have a God honoring day.

Soli deo Gloria!

²⁶ “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and give no opportunity to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26–27 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers in Ephesus, and all Christians everywhere, to put off their old sinful pre-converted desires and behavior, be renewed in their minds through the Word of God, and to put on their new regenerated behavior. This new self is characterized by holiness in desire and righteousness in behavior.

What exactly does righteous and holy behavior look like in our everyday world and culture? It is at this point that Paul becomes specific in the practical biblical truth set forth in Ephesians 4:22-24.

Ephesians 4:25 commands believers in Christ to always speak the truth to their neighbors. Ephesians 4:26-27 addresses the subject of anger.

Ephesians 4:26 begins with the command to be angry (ὀργίζω; orgizo). This means to be furious and enraged (Matt. 5:22; 18:34; 22:7; Luke 14:21; 15:28; Eph. 4:26; Rev. 11:18; 12:17+; Mark 1:4). At first glance, this verse seems a might confusing for God to command believers to be angry. This type of behavior and emotion does not seem to be very holy or righteous.

The command is followed by a complimentary command and do not sin. Sin (ἁμαρτάνω; hamartano) means to engage in wrong doing. Therefore, these two command strike a delicate balance between being enraged and not sinning in that rage.

Dr. John MacArthur explains that, “Be angry and do not sin is quoted from Ps. 4:4. By NT standards, anger can be either good or bad, depending on motive and purpose. Paul may have been sanctioning righteous indignation, anger at evil. This type of anger hates injustice, immorality, ungodliness, and every other sin. When such anger is unselfish and based on love for God and others, it not only is permissible but commanded. Jesus expressed this righteous anger (see Matt. 21:12; Mark 3:5; John 2:15).”

However, even righteous anger must not be felt for too long. The Apostle Paul further writes do not let the sun go down on your anger. This is also a command. In other words, even righteous anger can turn into bitterness. Therefore, anger, even if righteous, should be forsaken by the end of the given day. By doing so, the believer in Christ is to give no opportunity to the devil to get a foothold into one’s life. This can happen if anger is eventually not forsaken and discarded.

What makes you angry? Be careful to evaluate what makes you mad. Is your anger caused by that which angers God? Or is your anger because something did not go right at work, at school, or at home, or you did not get what you wanted? Take time to discern between holy anger and sinful anger, which is rooted in selfishness.

Have a God honoring 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 Sixteen: Of Good Works. Part 3.

5. We cannot, by our best works, merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins; ^a but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants;^b and because, as they are good, they proceed from his Spirit;^c and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection that they cannot endure the severity of God’s judgment.^d

a. Job 22:2-3; 35:7-8; Ps. 16:2; Rom. 3:20; 4:2, 4, 6; 8:18; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7. • b. Luke 17:10. • c. Gal. 5:22-23. • d. Ps. 130:3; 143:2; Isa. 64:6; Rom. 7:15, 18; Gal. 5:17.

6. Yet notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him,^a not as though they were in this life wholly unblamable and unreprovable in God’s sight;^b but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.^c

a. Gen. 4:4 with Heb. 11:4; Ex. 28:38; Eph. 1:6; 1 Pet 2:5. • b. Job 9:20; Ps. 143:2. • c. Matt. 25:21, 23; 2 Cor. 8:12; Heb. 6:10; 13:20-21.

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

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!