As I’ve continued to read in my study on Ephesians I’ve come across some more ‘good stuff’. 

I found this paragraph by Dr. Snodgrass very convicting:

“In order to have humility, we must renounce self-centeredness. A proper self-understanding is the most crucial ingredient for life. We are neither worms nor God; we are marvelous, relational creations in the image of God, intended for relation with God. Without God we have no meaning. Humans are intended to be something great, but in the process of trying to be that, we have become self-centered and self-seeking. We relive the plot of Genesis 3 each day of our lives. All of life’s energy is directed toward self and its perspectives. We seek respect and want recognition, honor, and authority. We take assertiveness training, strive for superiority, and are encouraged to look out for number one. Our self-seeking evolves into jealousy and disparagement of others. But individualism and self-assertion are foes of Christian maturity.”

The sentence that stood out to me was, “We relive the plot of Genesis 3 each day or our lives.” He is right. Each day we choose to obey the Lord (not eat the fruit of sin) or to fulfill our own lusts and desires (eat the fruit of sin and self). The good news is while we still live in Genesis 3 we also live in John 3 - that God sent His Son so that our sins can be forgiven and we can be empowered to walk in the light!

In my study on Ephesians for this week I came across this thought by commentator Harold Hoehner, “Spiritual growth and maturity of individual believers is measured in light of the body of believers. Individual spiritual growth that is not shared with the rest of the body is not true spiritual growth or maturity”.

It seems he is a tad-bit too black and white, but the gist of his point is still good. Growth is becoming more like Christ; but the evidence of that growth is seen most visibly in its relation to the body of Christ. I don’t grow alone, I grow with you. An example? If I ‘feel’ like I’ve grown in love but don’t love others, have I really grown in love?

Look at it from another angle. Bearing the fruit of the Spirit means I’m growing, but unless I show that fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, etc) towards you, I’m really not bearing fruit.

Thoughts?

I have been reading the book of Ecclesiastes this month as part of my daily Bible reading.

If you are manic depressant…WARNING: do not read this book!

All kidding aside, this book is one of the most realistic books in all the Bible (one of my favorites - what does that say about me?).

In this book, Solomon (the author) takes an honest and hard look at what life is all about. Among many things, this is what he discovers:

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