I have known several families over the years who for one reason or another took in extra kids. In every case there was a learning curve. Think about it. If a child is born into your family they learn the rules pretty quickly. They learn when to ask dad or mom. They learn when to push it and when to tip-toe. They learn how they are expected to behave both at home and when they are out in the world.
When you bring an older child into the home they don't know all the unspoken rules. They haven't had time to know what "that look" means. All they know is what they know... and it's usually all about where they came from. So, it takes time for them to figure out the way you work verses the way it used to work.
Ephesians 4 is all about how individuals are to live together in their new family - the Church. I've broken it down below.
Vs 1- 4 The Basics
- How you are to behave in your new family (1,2)
- How you are to treat your new family members (3)
- This is the only (church) family you've got (4)
- We've all got the same Father - who is going to treat us like family (5-6)
Vs 7- 16 We're All Loved the Same but We're Not All Treated the Same
- Each one in the family has been given grace as Jesus determined - you're an individual (7)
- vs 8-10 are a theological tangent to show Jesus was came from God and went to God
- Jesus gave different people different roles within the family (11)
- We have different roles but the same GOALS (12)
- When we work together we reach unity together and mature in Jesus - attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (13 - and see chapter 3:19)
- When we mature we will know better than to play in the street or take candy from strangers (14)
- And eventually our bodies should catch up with our brains (15-16)
- A baby wants to walk before it actually can. The brain is willing but the body is weak. As the body and the brain grow though the body eventually is able to keep up with the brain so that once you think it you can do it. When the individual parts of this family (the body of Christ) grow and mature they will eventually, together, be able to carry out the will of the brain - Jesus. HOW COOL IS THAT?!
Vs 17- 19 GROW UP.
- You can't get where you're going if you're still thinking like where you've been. The thinking you had before becoming a part of God's family will not serve you well. In your new family there has to be a new way of thinking - you can't just follow your selfish desires anymore, the acts of the flesh are obvious and obsolete in your new family.
Vs 20- 24 I've Told You This a Thousand Times!
- When you came into the family of God through Jesus you had to learn what was acceptable and what wasn't. You were told that your old way of thinking and doing wasn't consistent with the new way of being. (but we all need to be reminded over and over again don't we!)
Vs 25- 32 House Rules
- Because we're now part of the same family here are the rules
- Always deal in the Truth
- If you're angry, don't sin, satan will use it against you (and us)
- Instead of taking, learn to be generous
- Don't tear others down, build them up - it's good for all of us!
- Do what God's Spirit prompts you to do
- Don't be bitter, work to be better!
- Be kind, compassionate and forgiving because that's exactly how God is toward you.
Now you know what's expected and the rules.
What do you think about the House Rules and roles in the Family of God?
Are there any you struggle with?
What do you think is the most important one?
Which do you think has the greatest impact on the family?
How can you use what God has given you individually to benefit the whole family?
No comments:
Post a Comment