Special Insights No. 11
Fourth Quarter 2005
Adult Sabbath School Lessons
“Ephesians: The Gospel of Relationships”
(Produced by the Editorial Board of the 1888 Message Study Committee)
Christian Relationships
The Scriptures covered this week are Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-9. Here
the overriding and guiding principle is Christian submission in the
home, in the church, and in the social structure of whatever society
is present at any given time in earth’s history. This lesson deals with
“the obedience of faith” that comes from believing the revelation of
the “mystery of God” (compare Rom. 16:25-26).
History reveals that Christianity, in general, has a bad record of
interpersonal relationships. It was not always that way. In the early
church, believers were known by pagans as those who had been with Jesus
(see Acts 4:13). And they noted how they loved one another as commanded
by Jesus (John 15:12).
There is a relationship between what we believe and how we behave toward
one another. The message and experience of righteousness by faith will
be depicted in our lives. If our faith comes from a heart that appreciates
Jesus, our relationships with family and community will be observable
in our treatment of people. On the other hand, if faith is merely an
intellectual exercise, or a doctrine to be defended, it will be expressed
in the way we relate negatively to others in our attitudes, words, and
actions.
In chapter six Paul likens the church to a soldier. In the latter part
of the chapter he writes about the gospel armor and frontline fighting
which is “the good fight of faith.” Ephesians 6:1-9 presents the boot-camp
training in the Lord’s army for children and parents, also for slaves
and masters, to prepare them for coming battles, especially the last
one. As soldiers, children are to obey their parents; as commanders,
parents are to properly discipline and instruct their children (Eph.
6:1-4).
What does this military metaphor have to do with the study of relationships?
Much in every way. The relationships even in Christian homes and churches
are more like a battlefield, rather than what they should be. All too
often persons lay out their strategy for control. It is either “my”
authority or none. “My way or the highway,” as one pundit opined.
These lessons are especially for us, because both Heaven and Hell are
about to be let loose on planet earth in the last great battle between
Christ and Satan, just before Heaven’s General triumphantly enters earth’s
atmosphere. Those who submit to Heaven’s orders will come off more than
conquerors through Christ, while those who force their way upon others
shall be unsheltered from the wrath of hell. If God’s people were as
devoted to one another as Christ is to the Church, there would be no
submission problem.
If our families, or our churches, are like a war zone the military
armor presented by Paul (Eph. 6:13-17) is the only way to bring peace.
Peace is first of all the absence of fighting. Then comes a sense or
feeling of peace. Both come from heart-felt belief in the message of
Christ and His righteousness. This is because the work of Christ’s “righteousness
will be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance
forever.” “Having been justified, by faith we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ” (Isa. 32:17; Rom. 5:1).
Christ’s righteousness is always manifested in Christian households
where husbands and wives are submissive to one another and where children
are obedient to their parents. Christ’s righteousness is vital to the
well being of society, because as the home functions for good (or for
ill), so goes the church, the city, the state, and the nation.
The home is under attack today, both from within and from without.
The only hope is through the humbling message of Christ and His justifying
righteousness that lays the glory of men and women in the dust and then
does for them that which they cannot do for themselves (see Testimonies
for Ministers and Gospel Workers [TM], p. 456).
In Ephesians 5:21-33 Paul likens the church to a wife and Christ to
a husband. Here he deals with the what and the how of submissiveness
regarding husbands and wives in their loving relationship to one another.
Wives are to submit to their husbands as the church submits to Christ.
Husbands are to love their wives as they love their own bodies. And
husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church and submitted
Himself to the death of the cross for her. Jesus was obedient unto death
for His body, the church. He now lives to make her holy and clean. He
will someday present her to Himself as a glorious bride without spot
or wrinkle. All stains in her character will be removed; all wrinkles
in her character will be ironed out. Today we are either in the washing
machine or on the ironing board, to learn lessons, especially, of submission
to one another as the fruit of justification by faith.
A lesson for God’s people in the last days is to be learned, because
in the last remnant of time there will be abuses of authority that have
never been witnessed before in human history. The only hope for anyone
in the last days will be in Christ, our righteousness, our strong tower
of defense. He is our argument, our doctrine, our mighty weapon. The
message of hope, in Christ, must penetrate the world as God commanded
117 years ago (TM 91-92), in order to prepare His people for whatever
situation they find themselves in the trying times ahead. We have seen
only the tip of the iceberg of man’s capability of inhumanity when the
enemy of God has complete control of those who reject God’s last saving
message for this end time of the world.
On the other hand, Joel paints a word picture of those soldiers of
peace who accept the counsel of righteousness by faith from the true
Witness: “They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of
war; everyone marches in formation, and they do not break ranks. They
do not push one another; everyone marches in his own column. And when
they lunge between the weapons, they are not cut down” (2:7-8).
What a picture of God’s army of believers! Having been mightily shaken,
they now march in exact order with no breaking of ranks. This will be
brought about by the instructions of the Holy Spirit in the Loud Cry
of the third angel (see Early Writings, pp. 270-271). The weapons
of hell will have no effect on the soldiers of the Lord’s army clothed
in His armor.
In that day there will be no arguments over who is in control of family
or church. No boasting of who is greatest. God’s message of Christ’s
righteousness will produce humility of heart and it will produce loving
submission to one another, beginning in the home, then in the church,
and after this in every segment of society. This is the relationship
produced by the righteousness of Christ. “Belivest thou this.”
—Gerald L. Finneman
Note: Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is the inspired
source for many of the unique “what-Christ-has-accomplished” and “what-He
does-in-you” concepts which make the 1888 message of Christ’s righteousness
so unique. The 1888 Message Study Committee has just published Robert
J. Wieland’s accompanying commentary on Ephesians, YOU’VE BEEN “ADOPTED.”
Call (269) 473-1888 to order; ask for the special introductory price.
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