His Word Today

^17 “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. ¹⁹ They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.” (Ephesians 4:17–19 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesian believers to no longer live the way they used to live. To do so is living with a futile mindset that is not befitting of a regenerated believer in Christ. Paul then goes on to more fully describe the fallen world and the spiritual condition of unbelievers.

He continues by saying, “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. Let’s unpack this verse.

They are darkened in their understanding. By using the phrase they are, Paul is describing a present active state of being for the unbeliever.

They are darkened in their understanding. Darkened (σκοτόω; skotoo) means incapable of perceiving and unable to understand. Understanding (διάνοια; dianoia) refers to one’s capacity to learn and disposition of one’s mind. Unbelievers cannot perceive and are incapable on understanding the truth of the Gospel by their natural mind, or capacity to think.  

It is not that unbelievers are unwilling to believe, as many affirm. Rather, they are incapable of believing in the Gospel. They lack the spiritual ability to trust, depend, commit and honor the Lord Jesus Christ. The ability to believe is as much a gift from God as is the salvation and the Savior who is the object of one’s belief or faith. What is required is the work of the Holy Spirit in the unconverted deadened soul of the non-Christian (John 3:1-8; I Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:8-9).

I remember all too well the way my life was prior to my conversion. I was unable to intellectually grasp or understand the Gospel. I had been exposed to religion all my life. However, in spite of religious training in my local church, as a child and teenager, I was spiritually lost, blind, deaf and dumb. It was not until the Holy Spirit quickened my dead soul and gave me the ability to believe the Gospel, that I was no longer lost but found, no longer blind but seeing, no longer deaf but hearing, and no longer dumb but thinking the thoughts of God.

My conversion was a miracle. It was a monergistic, or independent, work of God. I did not cooperate with the Holy Spirit in my fallen condition. Rather, I was regenerated and this new birth (John 3:1-8) enabled me to believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ for my justification.

Perhaps at this very moment, the Holy Spirit is doing in your soul what He did in mine, and in so many countless others. If so, repent of you sin and trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. To God be the glory for the things He has done.  

Soli deo Gloria!

^17 “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. ¹⁹ They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.” (Ephesians 4:17–19 (ESV)

Ephesians 4:17-19 is not only reminiscent of the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:1 but it is also reminiscent of what Paul wrote in Romans 1:18-32. The Apostle Paul, in outlining the pattern of behavior the Ephesians Christians should continually avoid, he is also reminding them of their prior pagan condition (Ephesians 2:1-12).

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “While the letter to the Romans shows God as giving Gentiles over to a reckless and wanton life (Romans 1:24-31), Ephesians presents the same progression from the human side: those who have turned aside ‘have given themselves up.’ Similarly, in Exodus, God is said to harden Pharaoh’s heart (Ex. 4:21; 7:1-3, but Pharaoh hardens his own heart (Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34).”

Sin and sanctification are not stationary. With a sinful thought pattern and lifestyle, the sinner digresses into further and further wickedness and sinfulness. The same is true for the spiritual Christian. With a righteous thought pattern and lifestyle, the believer in Christ progresses into further and further holiness (2 Peter 1:3-11).  

Which pattern of thinking and behavior characterizes your life?

Soli deo Gloria!  

Soli deo Gloria!

“Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.” (Ephesians 4:17 (ESV)

Today’s text is reminiscent of Ephesians 4:1: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” Not only are believers to live in a worthy manner evidencing God’s sovereign call unto their salvation, but also to no longer live like the unbelieving world of which they once belonged.

In his personal communication to the Ephesian believers, the Apostle Paul invoked his apostolic authority when he wrote, ““Now this I say and testify in the Lord.” Paul was not just communicating to these Gentile believers in Christ on a personal level, but he was also testifying on behalf of the sovereign God of the universe. What he would go on to say carried with it the supreme authority of God.  Therefore, what Paul would write was not to be ignored then, nor is it to be ignored now.

Believers in Christ are to no longer live as they once did when they were unconverted. To no longer walk (περιπατέω; peripateo) is a present, active infinitive verb. It means to no longer behave in a certain or particular way. It refers to how one perpetually conducts their life and living.

Believers in Christ are to no longer walk as the Gentiles do. The word Gentiles is a euphemism for heathen or pagan. A Christian is to live a holy life (I Peter 1:13-16; Colossians 3:1-4). The Ephesian believers, who were Gentiles (2:1–2, 11–12), were to no longer live as they once did and as their unconverted neighbors and loved ones were still living. They were to no longer be conformed to this fallen world (Romans 12:1-2).

Paul described the unconverted life as being futile of one’s thinking. Futility (ματαιότης; mataiotes) means useless and empty (Romans 1:21; 8:20; 2 Peter 2:18). Proper and healthy thinking entails receiving God’s revelation which guides people into proper conduct. People will not live correctly if they are not thinking correctly.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “First, unbelievers are intellectually unproductive. As far as spiritual and moral issues are concerned, their rational processes are distorted and inadequate, inevitably failing to produce godly understanding or moral living. Their life is empty, vain, and without meaning (cf. Rom. 1:21–28; 1 Cor. 2:14; Col. 2:18).”

This text so applies to our world today. We witness so many unspeakable acts of violence and unrighteousness. The only way for these things to ultimately be overcome is by the truth of the Gospel and its subsequent impact in the converted sinner’s life.

Let us resolve to follow God’s direction from today’s text. In what ways has the world influenced your thinking? Ask God to give you a renewed mind through a daily of Scripture. 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 Sixteen: Of Good Works. Part 1.

1. Good works are only such as God hath commanded in his holy Word, ^a and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men out of blind zeal, or upon any pretense of good intention’^s

a. Micah 6:8; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 13:21. • b. 1 Sam. 15:21-23; Isa 29:13; Matt. 15:9; John 16:2; Rom. 10:2; 1 Peter 1:18.

2. These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith; ^a and by them believers manifest their thankfulness^b strengthen their assurance^c edify their brethren^d adorn the profession of the gospel^e stop the mouths of the adversaries, ^f and glorify God, ^g whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, ^h that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life.ⁱ

a. James 2:18, 22. • b. Ps. 116:12-13; 1 Peter 2:9. • c. 2 Peter 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3, 5. • d. Matt. 5:16; 2 Cor. 9:2. • e. 1 Tim. 6:1; Titus 2:5, 9-12. • f. 1 Peter 2:15. • g. John 15:8; Phil. 1:11; 1 Peter 2:12. • h. Eph. 2:10. • i. Rom. 6:22.

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

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁴ …”so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:14–16 (ESV)

What is the purpose for which pastors labor and strive in serving the Lord in their local church? What are pastors looking forward to witnessing among their congregations? The Apostle Paul provides the answer in Ephesians 4:14-16, in both negative and positive terms.

The equipping ministry of pastors is important because when congregations attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, a discernable pattern of character and behavior will appear in people.

First, Paul concludes that congregations will no longer be children, in the spiritual and biblical sense of the word. In other words, they will become mature, spiritual adults. Second, the apostle then states that mature Christians will also grow up in every way in Christ.

The only way for this spiritual growth to occur is for people to be joined to Christ. If they are not, the congregations may be large, but they will be dead.

Paul labors this point when he says, “from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Paul uses the metaphor of the human anatomy to describe the church and how it should function.

The phrase from whom refers to Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:15). The church’s life source, not only for justification but also for sanctification, is the person and work of Jesus Christ. This completed and ongoing work by Christ is applied to the whole body, or the entire church. No one is to excluded or exempt from the necessity of being in Christ.

The word joined (συναρμολογέω; synarmologeo) means fit together. The phrase held together (συμβιβάζω; symbiazo) means to be united or to brought together to be a unit. Both verbs are present, passive participles. In the context, this means that Jesus Christ alone does the work of not only fitting the church together, but also keeping it together.

This joining and unifying work by Christ extends to every joint (ἁφή; haphe) or ligament of the church. Ligament is another word for tendon, sinew, or muscle. The phrase with which it is equipped (ἐπιχορηγία; epichoregia) refers to provision. Jesus Christ provides the spiritual muscles the church needs.

The result of this work by Christ is for the church to function properly at its fullest degree. This results in true church growth that is constructed, not of brick and mortar, but rather on the love sourced in Jesus Christ.     

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “The phrase “in love” occurs three times (vv. 2, 15–16), thus pointing to the way unity is maintained. Significantly the word “measure” (metron) is also used three times in this context (vv. 7, 13, 16). Each believer is to function in Christ’s body by God’s enabling grace in accord with the measure of the gift Christ bestowed on him (v. 7). When each believer accomplishes that measure, then the church grows properly (v. 16), coming ultimately to the measure of Christlikeness (v. 13). Stunted growth comes when one does not allow his or others’ gifts to function.”

True, godly, and biblical church growth occurs when every member of the local church fully uses their spiritual gift(s), in submission to the Holy Spirit and in cooperation with other believers (cf. Col. 2:19). Any other definition of church growth is a sham or an insufficient substitute.

Many people evaluate church growth strictly by the church’s physical size; be it building(s) or number of people. The Bible evaluates church growth in an entirely different way. Let us not forget this this biblical truth.

Soli deo Gloria!  

¹⁴ …”so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:14–16 (ESV)

What is the purpose for which pastors labor and strive in serving the Lord in their local church? What are pastors looking forward to witnessing among their congregations? The Apostle Paul provides the answer in Ephesians 4:14-16, in both negative and positive terms.

The equipping ministry of pastors is important because when congregations attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, a discernable pattern of character and behavior will appear in people.

First, Paul concludes that congregations will no longer be children, in the spiritual and biblical sense of the word. In other words, they will become mature, spiritual adults.

Second, the apostle then states that mature Christians will also grow up in every way in Christ. “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,”

The word rather (δέ; de) is another word for the contrasting conjunction but. Mature believers in Christ, along with no longer being children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes, will grow up.

The phrase we are to grow up (αὐξάνω; auxano) means to increase. This pertains not only to plants and animals, but in this context to humans (Luke 2:40; 12:27; Col. 2:19; Matt. 6:28). Believers in Christ are not be stationary in their relationship in Christ. We are commanded to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Son of God (2 Peter 3:18).

The text says we are to grow up in every way (πᾶς; pas). This entails our entire life. In other words, this refers to the totality of our life in Christ.

This perpetual perspective in our growth in Christ is prefaced by the phrase speaking the truth in love (ἀληθεύω ἀγάπη; aletheuo agape). Rather than this being a personal comment by Paul to the Ephesians, it is rather a perspective on life from God. It literally means truthing in love. This has the idea of maintaining truth in self-sacrificial love of the will in both speech and life. This refers to not only speaking the Gospel, but also living out the Gospel.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Evangelism is most effective when the truth is proclaimed in love. This can be accomplished only by the spiritually mature believer who is thoroughly equipped in sound doctrine. Without maturity, the truth can be cold and love little more than sentimentality. Christians are to be completely yielded and obedient to the Lord’s will, subject to his controlling power and Christ like in all areas of their lives (cf. Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:21).”

Soli deo Gloria!  

¹⁴ …”so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:14–16 (ESV)

What is the purpose for which pastors labor and strive in serving the Lord in their local church? What are pastors looking forward to witnessing among their congregations? The Apostle Paul provides the answer in Ephesians 4:14-16, in both negative and positive terms.

First the negative. A purpose clause begins vs. 14 with the key words “so that.” These two words form a purpose clause for everything the apostle stated from vv. 11-13.

The equipping ministry of pastors is important because when congregations attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, a discernable pattern of character and behavior will appear in people.

Paul concludes they will no longer be children, in the spiritual and biblical sense of the word. In other words, they will become spiritual adults. As such, equipped people will not be tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind. Paul uses two nautical terms of which he was most familiar: the waves and the wind.

First, mature believers will not be tossed two and fro by the waves. Mature believers in Christ should not be like immature infants who are easily swayed and confused, like being tossed back and forth in a boat by the waves of the sea (cf. Luke 8:24; James 1:6).

Secondly, mature believers will not be carried about by every wind. Carried about (περιφέρω; periphero) means to be blown about, be carried here and there (Mark 6:55; 2 Cor. 4:10; Eph. 4:14; Heb. 13:9). It literally means to be “whirled around,” or to experience a violent swinging that makes one dizzy. Not an enjoyable sensation.

When next we meet we will see what forces and influences are prevalent in this fallen world which causes such discomfort. It is against the adversaries that Christians need to be equipped.

Soli deo Gloria!  

¹¹ “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11–13 (ESV)

How long will God choose to use those who equip the saints to do the work of ministry (vs. 12)? The Apostle Paul provides us with the answer in Ephesians 4:13.

Ephesians 4:13 begins with conjunction until (μέχρι; mechri) meaning to the point of conclusion or to the degree of completion. The equipping of the saints is to continue until something has been accomplished.

Until we all attain. By using the personal pronoun we Paul includes everyone within the church, including himself, in this task to be completed. In case anyone may question this all-inclusiveness, the apostle adds the adjective all. No one in the church is exempt from this process. Paul lists three things that are the biblical goals for those who equip the saints and for the saints who are the equipped.

First, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. The church is be united in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God: Jesus Christ.

Second, the church is to be united in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, in order to attain maturity, or mature manhood.  

Third, the church is to be united in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, in order to attain maturity, or mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. What exactly does this final statement mean?

To the measure (μέτρον; metron) specifically refers to a unit of measurement, such as length or volume. It is attached to the corresponding word stature (ἡλικία; helikia) which can refer to the height of a person, their age, or life-span. In this context, it is best to understand it focused upon the idea of maturity.

Paul continues by saying that this measurement of maturity is singularly focused upon the person of Jesus Christ. Fullness (πλήρωμα; pleroma) means a total quantity or completeness.  

Pastors who equip their congregation are to do so until they have such a complete faith and knowledge of the Son of God, and achieve a mature personhood, that they can be described as possessing and displaying a complete Christ likeness. A pastor’s work is never done when people in church fall so far short of this goal.

Take the opportunity to personally thank your pastor for all the work which he does each and every week. He will be blessed by your encouragement.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹¹ “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11–13 (ESV)

How long will God choose to use those who equip the saints to do the work of ministry (vs. 12)? The Apostle Paul provides us with the answer in Ephesians 4:13.

Ephesians 4:13 begins with conjunction until (μέχρι; mechri) meaning to the point of conclusion or to the degree of completion. The equipping of the saints is to continue until something has been accomplished.

Until we all attain. By using the personal pronoun we Paul includes everyone within the church, including himself, in this task to be completed. In case anyone may question this all-inclusiveness, the apostle adds the adjective all. No one in the church is exempt from this process. Paul lists three things that are the biblical goals for those who equip the saints and for the saints who are the equipped.

First, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. The church is be united in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God: Jesus Christ.

Second, the church is to be united in the faith and knowledge of the Son of god, Jesus Christ, in order to attain maturity, or mature manhood.  

Mature (τέλειος; teleios) means to be genuine and truthful. In other words, the believer in Christ is called to maturity and not hypocrisy. The believer is to be genuine in their walk of faith and not a private, or public, pretender.

Manhood (ἀνήρ; aner) is another way of saying personhood. This refers to every person in Christ. It matters not if you are young or old, rich or poor, a man or a woman, an adult or a child. God expects and demands biblical and spiritual maturity of His children. This is the ongoing goal in sanctification.

Puritan Matthew Henry writes concerning the phrase mature manhood that it is     “our full growth of gifts and graces, free from those childish infirmities that we are subject to in the present world.”

Take time today to ask God in what areas of your life in Christ that you need to mature. Ask a good friend who you trust to give you an honest answer. You may not like what you hear, but often we do not like what we need.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹¹ “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11–13 (ESV)

How long will God choose to use those who equip the saints to do the work of ministry (vs. 12)? The Apostle Paul provides us with the answer in Ephesians 4:13.

Ephesians 4:13 begins with conjunction until (μέχρι; mechri) meaning to the point of conclusion or to the degree of completion. The equipping of the saints is to continue until something has been accomplished.

Until we all attain. By using the personal pronoun we Paul includes everyone within the church, including himself, in this task to be completed. In case anyone may question this all-inclusiveness, the apostle adds the adjective all. No one in the church is exempt from this process. Paul lists three things that are the biblical goals for those who equip the saints and for the saints who are the equipped.

First, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. The church is be united in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God: Jesus Christ.

Unity (ἑνότης; henotes) refers to a unanimity, or oneness, within the church. This unity is to solely be focused upon the faith.

Within this context, faith (πίστις; pistis) focuses upon the doctrine of revealed truth that comprises biblical teaching. It is this God-given doctrine of which believers are to trust in, commit to, depend upon and of which we are to worship God. This is particularly true as it relates to the complete content of the biblical gospel. One pastor comments that, “Oneness and harmony among believers is possible only when it is built on the foundation of sound doctrine.”

Knowledge (ἐπίγνωσις; epignosis) means a full and definite understanding of not only what God has revealed in His Word, but also of what Christians are to trust, commit, depend and of which they are to honor the Lord.

Paul says this understanding is to be primarily focused upon the Son of God: Jesus Christ. This would include Jesus Christ’s eternality (John 1:1-2), His incarnation (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthews 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-21; John 1:3-14; Hebrews 2:14-18), His sinless life (John 8:464; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:14-16), His substitutionary death on the cross (Romans 3:21-26; Romans 5:89-10; I Peter 2:22-25; I John 4:7-11), His resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28; Mark 16:1-13; Luke 24; John 20; Acts 2:1-36; I Corinthians 15), and His ascension to the right hand of God the Father (Acts 1:1-11).

Are you committed to understanding and having faith in these essentials truths of the Gospel? If so, you evidence that you are pursuing the goal of unity within the church.

Soli deo Gloria!