Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:1-4

Previously we looked at the roles of the wife and the husband, in the covenant of God. Today we look at the role of the children, now it may seem obvious or common sense that children should obey their parents, however we are living in the last days and I’ll explain in more detail later.

Now just as we talked about, if a Husband is a man of God and actually loves his wife as Christ loves the Church, then it would probably be easier for a wife to respect her husband. However as we see many Godless marriages and many men who have failed their roles as Husband and Father, we see alot of broken homes and marriages.

This is the same with the Children, kids are more likely to obey their parents if they truly love and respect them. However most parents raised their children in a Godless and broken home, therefore the love and respect is non existent. We can’t expect Children to have morals if the parents don’t lay down the moral foundation first. How do the parents lay down a moral foundation? The foundation for a marriage and a family needs to be built on Christ

Jesus said “Whoever hears my words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24) The family who builds their marriage on Christ is building it on the rock, a solid foundation. However a husband and wife who are building their life without Christ, is building a foundation on sand, and when the storms of life come in, their entire house will collapse. It all starts with the covenant of Marriage being built on Christ

1But know this, that in the last days [a]perilous times will come: 2For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

Notice what Paul says here, in the last days we will see an increase in children being disobedient to parents, unthankful, unloving, without self control, unholy, ect. Doesn’t this describe most households today? We are living probably in the most Godless generation in history, the foundation of the family has been cracked and crumbling, because the Men of God have abandoned their positions with Christ

The only way to fix our families is to fix ourselves first. We must all come to Christ, repent and become Born Again! Build the foundation of your marriage and family on Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Amen!

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.  Ephesians 5:25-27

As we continue to look at Paul’s teachings on marriage and family, my last post we looked at the controversial scripture “Wives submit to your husbands” , but notice this is followed with the stipulation “Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church”. Many women when they hear about “submitting” to their husband, they are repulsed or infuriated, mostly because their Husbands didn’t love them as Christ loved the Church. So how did Christ love the Church?

Well Jesus loved the Church so much , he laid down his life for us! Paul says in Romans “God demonstrated his love, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) We as husbands , as men of God, need to be more like Christ, conformed to his image (Romans 8:29) Most of us have failed to fill this role as the husband, as the man of God in the family, which is why we see the resistance to a Bilbical marriage today

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. Ephesians 5:28-30

Husbands are to love their wives as their own body. I talked about this in my previous post also, the Bible says “Two become One flesh” (Genesis 2:24) everything the husband does affects the wife, just as everything the wife does affects the husband. Every sin you intake in your body, affects your spouse, sin is a selfish disease, your sins don’t just impact yourself but your whole family, think about that!

As Paul says we should “nourish and cherish our wives, just Christ did for the Church” A question for husbands, are you nourishing your wife? Are you cherishing your wife? 

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 5:31-33

As the Bible says “The Two Become One Flesh” , Marriage is a union, its a covenant with God. Marriage is not just about the husband or the wife, it’s about them together as one. If one of them are sick, they are both sick. Everything one does reflects both of them.

And verse 33 , I believe Paul gives a better explanation of wives submitting to their husbands, wives should show reverence or respect to their husbands. I think this is a more clear exegesis of the scripture. Marriage should have mutual love and respect for one another. Its not about dominance or control, its about love as Christ loves us! Amen!

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Ephesians 5:21-25

Ephesians Chapter 5 and 6, actually provide alot of insight into Gods plan and intention for the family. These scriptures today are often viewed as controversial, because it shows you how fallen our society has become. And that is and always has been Satans plan, to destroy the Church and destroy the foundation of the family. Because the reality is, without the structure of the family, society completely crumbles, and that is what we are seeing in our generation today

Alot of critics like to “cherry-pick” scriptures to demonstrate this godless belief that the Bible is bad and male chauvinistic. However , they completely skip over the complete context of the scriptures and the meaning behind them. For example, verse 21 “Submit yourselves one to another in the fear of God” Well this includes everyone, male and female. Everybody should be submissive to each other in a Christ like manner. Meaning we shouldn’t be fighting against each other, we should be looking out for each other “Love your Neighbor” . Now this verse scripture totally debunks the liberals who hate on the Bible. Because male is supposed to be submissive to female, as female is submissive to a male, it’s all in the love of Christ

Marriage is a covenant between One Man and One Woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-5) So when were talking about a husband and a wife, this is a covenant between them and God. As the scriptures says “The Two Become One Flesh” (Genesis 2:24) The man and woman are one spiritually. Anything the husband does effects the wife, anything the wife does effects the husband. This is a complete uniting of souls under God. This is why when you try to separate the two, it’s very painful spiritually. 

God created Adam (Man) first, and then Eve (woman) was created from Adam. (Genesis 2:7) The reason I bring this up is you have to understand the hierarchy of God, to understand the roles of Marriage.  This is why the world today is so against men, again this is an agenda from Satan. To destroy the strong spiritual head of the household. Now I know men of God are few and far between today, which a another sign of the times, however God will always have his remnant and Gods will never changes

When Eve was created, was so Adam would not be alone and to give him a partner. Also the purpose was to populate the Earth. This is why Paul says “Wives submit to your Husbands” because they are partners , a team to work together to raise up children and build a home on the foundation of Christ

As the scriptures says “The Church is subject to Christ” there is a hierarchy in everything in the world. Just as Jesus Christ the Son was in subjection to God the Father, the roles of life are a reality. If people would embrace their role , instead of fighting against it, we will be in the will of God and live a more peaceful life in Christ, Amen!

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Ephesians 5:15-18

What is the important object of our Christian walk? To know what the will of The Lord is! Everything we do should be in alignment with the will of God. So how do we know what the will of The Lord is? We need to abide in Christ, pray without ceasing, and be filled with the Holy Spirit

As Jesus taught us in the Lords prayer “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10) We should pray everyday to do the will of God and not our own will. Our lives are like a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow (James 4:14) As the Apostle Paul says “Redeem the time, because the days are evil” We as the Church need to stop wasting time on self centered interests, and focus on doing the Lords will, building Gods Kingdom

Don’t waste your time being drunk on alchohol, be filled with the Holy Spirit! Every day, every moment, every hour you waste fulfilling your flesh, you are wasting time fulfilling Gods will for your life. 

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  Ephesians 5:19-20

We should also dedicate time to worship The Lord, singing psalms and hymns together. Notice the scripture doesn’t say to just worship alone, we should worship together as the body of Christ. Make melody in your heart to The Lord, that is the key! Doesn’t matter how you can sing or if you can sing, give your heart to Christ, worship The Lord because He is worthy of all praise!

The Apostle James says “Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” (James 4:15) We shouldn’t be making decisions without consulting with The Lord. Everything we do should be centered around the will of The Lord, if Jesus is our Master, then we are his slaves, Amen!

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10

Notice the key words here in the scripture “you were sometimes darkness, but now you are light in the Lord”  You were but now in Christ you are not, that’s the key here. If you have become Born Again in Christ (John 3:3) you are a new creation. You were once in darkness but now you are a child of the light, you no longer stay dead in your sins, you are now alive in Christ by the Holy Spirit

Paul also mentions the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5) , you as a Born Again Christian should be producing the fruits of the Holy Spirit, there should be evidence of your conversion. You are no longer a child of darkness and sin, you are a child of God through The Lord Jesus Christ

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Ephesians 5:11-14

Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, hello Church , are you listening? How many Churches compromise and embrace the darkness of this world, so they can be socially acceptable? This is going against the Word of God, have no fellowship with the darkness. You can’t walk with Jesus and hold hands with the devil, you are a child of the light or a child of the darkness, there is no in between

Here’s another message for the Church “Wake up sleeper and rise from the dead! The Church has spiritually fallen asleep today, we need a revival, we need a reformation, wake up O sleeper, and arise from the dead!

Christ shall give you the light! What is the solution to world? Jesus Christ, what is the solution for The Church? Jesus Christ, What is the solution for yourself? Jesus Christ, the light of the world! Christ is the head of the Church, if you love him keep his commandments! Amen!

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:1-4

The Apostle Paul tells us we should be followers or imitators of God, what does that mean? Well if Jesus is really your Master (Lord) then you should be imitating your Lord. People should see Christ inside of you, if they don’t see the fruits of the Holy Spirit, then something is wrong. As we talked previously, you have to become Born Again (John 3:3), there needs to be a transformation from your old self to the newness of your walk with Christ

The first thing Paul lists is we walk in love as Christ. Sometimes this can be very hard to do, the world is fallen and wicked, the majority of people are just plain mean, why? Because they haven’t been regenerated, they are still dead in their sins of the flesh, so this is to be expected of the world. Jesus said “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you “ (Matthew 5:44) Wow, how and why should we do this? Because Christ loved us even when we were still sinners also (Romans 5:8)

The next thing Paul mentions is your past sins should “not be named among you, as you are now a saint” You were a sinner before you met Christ, but now you’re a saint through the rebirth of the Holy Spirit. You will sin as a believer, but you won’t remain in your sin. As a Born Again believer in Christ, you are not the same person you were, you don’t remain dead in your sin, you are now alive in Christ and walk by the Holy Spirit.  The Apostle Peter describes a person who continues to go back to their sin as a “dog going back to their vomit” (2 Peter 2:22)

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Ephesians 5:5-6

Let nobody deceive you, a person who is still dead in their sins, will not inherit the Kingdom of God! The liberal Church today is telling people to remain as they are, that God loves them who they are, these are lies from the pit of Hell. Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you won’t see the Kingdom of Heaven” (John 3:3) Jesus never said to remain as you are God loves you

We are to be followers or imitators of Christ!If Jesus is our Lord, then Christ is our Master, we must be conformed to his image by the Holy Spirit, Amen!

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:28-30

Jesus said “You will be known by your fruit” (Matthew 7:16) Many people call themselves a “Christian” but does your life really reflect this? If you were put on trial for your faith, would the evidence convict you of being a disciple of Christ? As the Apostle James said “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26) If were are going to talk the talk, we need to walk the walk!

Here the Apostle Paul is talking about evidence of our conversion, if you were a thief before you came to Christ, you should be stealing no more. If you used to curse like a sailor before , including using the “Lord’s name in vain” you shouldn’t be speaking like this anymore. There should be evidence of your conversion becoming Born Again in Christ (John 3:3)

If there is no change or conversion, then what did Jesus save you from? The late preacher Leonard Ravenhill had a good sermon on this, he said “What did Jesus save you from?, Hell?, Did Jesus save you from drinking , from sexual immorality,? You go to Church on Sunday and live like the devil the rest of the week, then what did Jesus really save you from?  The point Ravenhill was making was, if you are truly saved and Born Again in Christ, then there should be evidence of your conversion. You shouldn’t be still “dead in your sins” before you came to Christ, if you are still living like your “old self” then you are truly not saved

But those of us who are saved by Jesus Christ, who are Born Again, baptized by the Holy Spirit (John 3) we don’t have to grieve or worry about judgment day. Because once you are Born Again, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit. We our saved by grace through faith in Christ, not by ourselves or our works. However there should be evidence or works that demonstrate our new life in Christ

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32

Forgive one another as Christ forgave You! We all want forgiveness , we all want mercy, right? Then why won’t you forgive or have mercy on anyone else? You can’t expect God to forgive you, if you won’t forgive anyone else. Jesus said “ If you forgive others who sin against you, then our Heavenly Father will forgive you” (Matthew 6:14)

We should demonstrate the fruits of the Holy Spirit, love joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22-23) We need to become Born Again in Christ, and be sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption Amen!

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.  Ephesians 4:25-27

Jesus taught “That anyone is angry with a brother or sister, has committed murder in their heart and in danger of Hell Fire” (Matthew 5:21-22) Christianity is about a heart issue, because sin begins in the heart (James 1:15) It’s not just about the actions you commit, it’s also about what thoughts you hold and evolve in your mind. This is why , you need to become Born Again (John 3:3), God will give you a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26) 

Alot of us probably have enemies, especially if your a Christian you have become an enemy of the world (James 4:4) I know it’s difficult to always stay at peace with everyone, but instead of harboring ill thoughts and feelings towards people, we need to pray for them and give it up to God . As Jesus said “Pray for your enemies” (Matthew 5:22)

Yes being a Christian is not easy, it’s not an easy walk, however we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11) Through sanctification we can grow and develop to be more like Christ, to strive to live in peace with everyone, including our enemies (Romans 12:18)

From a personal note, verse 26 “Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath or anger” This scripture probably saved my marriage and myself. About 10 years ago, when I hit rock bottom in my life,  me and my wife had a big argument, which was my fault. My wifes step-father read this scripture to her and it convicted her to call me, at the moment my wife didn’t realize I was on my knees , asking The Lord to save me and I became Born Again

I came home that night and our marriage has never been better. We both dedicated our lives to Jesus and have never been the same. I’m still amazed at the power of one scripture can change the course of people’s lives. But the principle is true “Don’t let the day end until you resolve your conflicts or arguments”.

We often hear the phrase “Don’t go to bed angry” well that was derived from this Biblical teaching. A practical Biblical teaching that we can and should apply to all of our relationships, especially marriages. Amen!

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Ephesians 4:17-19

When you become Born Again in Christ, you are transformed, you are a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17) the old man is dead and you are a new creation (Romans 6:6) This is what the Apostle Paul is talking about here “Testify in The Lord, that you don’t walk as other Gentiles walk” You shouldn’t be the same person you were before you were saved. There should be an evidence of change, you should be producing spiritual fruit by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 7, Galatians 5)

Why doesn’t everyone understand the gospel of Jesus Christ? As Paul says here “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through ignorance” Some people can’t understand the gospel because they are spiritually dead, they are dead in their sins, dead in their relationship with God, dead in their soul. They have no understanding of the spiritual world, this is why Jesus said “Unless you become Born Again, you can’t see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3)

A spiritual dead person can’t enter the Kingdom of God, it doesn’t matter how religious they are , how many books they read, they need to get baptized by the Holy Spirit. (John 3) They need to be transformed into a new creation. They are like the Dry Bones in the valley of Ezekiel, and they need the Breath of God to revive them back to life (Ezekiel 37)

But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24

As the Apostle Paul says “You put off the old man, the former way of life” You are no longer the same person you were before you came to Christ. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. As a Born Again believer, you will be filled and sealed by the Holy Spirit. There will be a transformation, and you will produce fruits of righteousness

Put on the New Self, no longer are we dead in our sins, no longer are we separated from God, we are Born Again through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen!

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:14-16

Christianity is a walk, it’s a long journey, and as a Born Again Christian the Holy Spirit will continue to work in you and grow you , a process called sanctification. (1 Corinthians 6:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:23) As a new Christian, you are a “babe in Christ”, you are a spiritual newborn , and there will be alot of things you learn and develop, as you grow into being a mature Christian. 

One of the first issues new Christians usually have , is they fall for every new doctrine they hear on YouTube. You will see alot of “new” Christians online arguing for doctrines they really are not qualified to defend. This is what the Apostle Paul told the Church of Ephesus “That we will no longer be children or infants, tossed to and fro, carried about with every wind of doctrine”

Paul helped Shepherd the Church of Ephesus so they no longer were falling for every new doctrine that came by. The Church of Ephesus is now grounded in solid doctrine, not falling away from the truth of Gods Word. How do we avoid being swept away by false teachers and false doctrine?

The first thing is to be Born Again , filled with the Holy Spirit (John 3:3) As the Apostle Paul said “the natural man doesn’t understand spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:14)  We can’t understand the Word of God or discern false prophets without the Holy Spirit. With that said we need to read the Word of God (BIble) daily (2 Timothy 3:16) Most Christians fall for bad doctrine because they don’t know The Bible. Thirdly, we need to have a strong prayer life. As the Apostle Paul says “Pray without Ceasing”  (1 Thess. 5:16) We can’t expect to have a strong spiritual life in Christ without prayer. Lastly, we should become a student under a good Biblical teacher or pastor (Acts 20:28) These days we see alot of people leaving the Church because there simply is not alot of Biblical Pastors anymore. While Jesus Christ is our Lord and head of the Church, we should find a good Biblical Church to learn from and fellowship with other Christians

As the Apostle Paul says “Maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself” (v16) The scripture I referenced earlier (2 Timothy 3:16) the Word of God is used for edification among other things. To grow in Christ, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, study the Word of God, Pray without Ceasing, and learn from Biblical teachers, Amen!