The objectives of this lesson: (1) To stress that Christians at Ephesus were still spiritually developing; (2) to emphasize the importance of the Christian value of truthfulness
The values and characteristics which follow in Ephesians 4:25-32 are the values and characteristics either lacking or needing support and encouragement in the Christians at Ephesus. A person does not transition from a godless background to a godly background instantly. Gentile Christians anywhere in the first century world did not go from an idolatrous value system and mindset instantly to a Christian value system and mindset. The first thing to be realized is this: There were still some ungodly perspectives governing the behavior of Christians in Ephesus.
Spiritual development is a process, not an event. Certainly there is a moment when conversion culminates and forgiveness begins (Acts 2:38). However, that moment is the beginning of one's spiritual journey, not the end of it. Consider 1 John 1:5-10. By God's grace, forgiveness is a continuing reality in the lives of those in Christ.
Long ago in West Africa I heard a mature, older African Christian man say publicly, "We Christian adults are 40% Christian. Maybe our children will be 60% Christian. Maybe our grandchildren will be 80% Christian." He publicly addressed the difficult transition from animist religions to a Christian lifestyle with its values. I am much impressed, not with his time table or his lack of commentary on the concept of God's grace, but with his insight on the difficulty of transition. This mindset is often lacking among us American Christians as believers are challenged to make transitions from materialistic or pleasure centered lifestyles to sacrificial Christian values and concepts.
This man understood that (1) transition is a process that (2) depends on a spiritual environment.
The second realization is this: Christians did not have to be "perfect" to be "in Christ" and thereby a part of his church. (1) If Paul wrote these Christians because their behavior and lifestyle was less than spiritually mature, and (2) if these Christians had obvious moral flaws but were still considered by Paul as Christians (Ephesians 1:1; 3:14-21), it should be obvious that human "perfection" expressed in "ideal conformity to our expectations" is not the primary key to "continuing congregational membership," or being "in Christ," or being "Christian." The key is found in divine grace and mercy as converted individuals grow and mature in Christ. That single, simple understanding would transform the manner in which we treat each other and people with whom we disagree. We would see the key to spiritual growth is not found in passing unconcerned judgment on people's behavior, but on encouraging spiritual growth as we challenge immature Christians to have a new grasp of what is godly and what is not. We must want people's spiritual maturity to be based on faith in Jesus rather than based on a terrified conformity to our human expectations. All of us need to learn from God's patience as we seek to encourage each other in Christ.
Our primary responsibility as Christians is not to determine another Christian's spirituality but to encourage his/her spirituality. Certainly there may be times when it is necessary for us to call a Christian's attention to his or her lack of spirituality (as Paul did in this text). However, in such instances we must proceed with self-examination and caution to be certain we are concerned about the person and God's values, not about a violation of our preferences. Consider Galatians 6:1-5.
The third realization is this: We look for growth as people behave as the "new self" in Christ. We look at changes in people rather than justifications from people. There is a distinct difference in the mindset, the value base, and the behavior of the converted man or woman who seeks change in Jesus Christ and the questionably converted man or woman who seeks the status quo of self-justified behavior.
Conversion to Christ results in the change in the person. The issue is not the rate at which change occurs, but that change is occurring.
We are not speaking about the spiritual growth rate of a person, but about the spiritual growth of a person. Most of us grow at different rates. The individual's spiritual growth rate depends on a number of personal factors including degree of past godless background, the need to be exposed to the concepts of the Christian lifestyle and value system, and the need to learn. The rate of spiritual growth and development of the person who grew up in and lived as an adult in a godless background and the spiritual growth and development of the person who grew up in and lived as adult in a godly environment will not be the same.
Many factors determine how quickly change occurs. A redefinition and understanding of what is godly and what is ungodly is a huge challenge. For the person who has little or no religious background, the challenge is enormous. However, in some instances, change is more visible in a person coming from a godless background than a person coming from a spiritual environment.
The first Christian value Paul stressed the Christians at Ephesus needed to incorporate in their lives was the importance of being truthful. We could discuss the value of truth, the importance of truth, the color of deceit [black and white lies], the reality of deceit in our economy or our families, etc.--all of which is good but might miss Paul's point. Deceit was a part of much of the Roman world lifestyle. Speaking falsely was often regarded a normal part of survival in their patronage systems, the competitions of the market place, and their exclusive societies [that commonly excluded rather than included]. The converted to Jesus Christ "laid aside" falsehood because it was a destructive part of the "old self" which they were to "lay aside." Why? They found truth in Jesus (verse 21). They could not represent him in whom they found truth by being a people who used falsehood. How can you represent truth by using deception?
The truthfulness [faithfulness] of Jesus and God the Father lies at the core of our trusting Jesus and God. Each of them will keep promises. That is commonly what is meant when God's faithfulness is stressed (1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24). The Christian realizes he or she can trust what God says. It is essential that trustworthy people represent the trustworthy God.
The "speaking truth with each other" comes from Zechariah 8:16. God said He would bless Jerusalem if they would speak truth to each other rather than using deceit to by-pass justice. Two things are called to your attention. First is the new relationship caused by people being in Christ. Instead of seeing each other as rivals who are threats, they see each other as neighbors whom they care about. Second is the organic illustration. They are members of each other. You cannot do harm to another person in Christ without hurting yourself. You cannot do good to another person in Christ without blessing yourself.
It is essential that Christians understand that the call to God is the call to a new relationship with people. We share the blessings of God by being a blessing.
In deceit there is a curse. In truth there is a blessing. A Christian cannot represent the Jesus of truth (John 1:14; 14:6) and the God of truth (Exodus 34:6; 2 Samuel 7:28) by being a person who deceives. If we function on deceit, Satan is our father (John 8:44).
Deceit comes from Satan, not God. The Christian realizes that "The end justifies the means," is a deception.
For Thought and Discussion
They addressed either what was lacking or what needed support and encouragement in the Christians at Ephesus.
One does not make the transition from a godless background to a godly value system and mindset instantly.
There were still some ungodly perspectives governing the behavior of Christians in Ephesus.
Christians did not have to be "perfect" to be "in Christ" and thereby a part of his church.
The key is found in divine grace and mercy as the converted seek to grow and mature in Christ.
We would see each other differently in positive terms; therefore we would treat each other differently.
We look for growth as the person behaves as the "new self" in Christ.
There is a distinct difference in the mindset, the value base, and behavior of the converted person and the one who seeks the status quo of self-justification.
We are not speaking of the spiritual growth rate of a person. Growth rates vary from person to person.
The first thing Paul stressed to them was their need to be truthful.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 6