Balancing the Scales (9)
Series: Ephesians 4.1-6
Robert Dawson
Ephesians 4:1-6
In the Lord of the Rings trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien tells the story of a very diverse group of men, men who were different in almost every way, racially, physically, temperamentally and giftedness. They were known as the Fellowship of the Ring. They joined together to stop the evil Sauron from obtaining the ring of power and destroying Middle Earth.
At one point, because of their vast differences, conflict breaks out and the Fellowship of the Ring is almost destroyed as axes are drawn, bows are bent, swords are brandished, and harsh words exchanged. When cooler heads prevail, a wise elf named Haldir says, ''Indeed in nothing is the power of the Dark Lord more clearly shown than in the estrangement that divides all those who still oppose him.''
Today, the enemy of our faith loves to create division and confusion among believers so that we abandon our calling, deny our identity and stop pursuing our God-given mission. He wants us to divide over our differences rather than unite around the Gospel of Christ. He wants there to be a disconnect between what we believe and how we live.
The Christian life is not just knowing the right things nor is it just doing the right things. What we believe should inform our actions. What we do, how we act, how we live, should affirm what we believe.
The merging of the two are essential for a vibrant spirituality and a healthy and united church.
Right thinking leads to right living. Right belief paves the way for right behavior. Paul knows this. It is why he spent the first three chapters ''unfolding the eternal purposes of God that have been worked out in history.'' He has shown us the great blessings that are ours because of Christ and who we are in Christ.
- We have been chosen by God before the foundation of the world.
- We have been predestined to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ.
- We have been redeemed through the blood ...
Series: Ephesians 4.1-6
Robert Dawson
Ephesians 4:1-6
In the Lord of the Rings trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien tells the story of a very diverse group of men, men who were different in almost every way, racially, physically, temperamentally and giftedness. They were known as the Fellowship of the Ring. They joined together to stop the evil Sauron from obtaining the ring of power and destroying Middle Earth.
At one point, because of their vast differences, conflict breaks out and the Fellowship of the Ring is almost destroyed as axes are drawn, bows are bent, swords are brandished, and harsh words exchanged. When cooler heads prevail, a wise elf named Haldir says, ''Indeed in nothing is the power of the Dark Lord more clearly shown than in the estrangement that divides all those who still oppose him.''
Today, the enemy of our faith loves to create division and confusion among believers so that we abandon our calling, deny our identity and stop pursuing our God-given mission. He wants us to divide over our differences rather than unite around the Gospel of Christ. He wants there to be a disconnect between what we believe and how we live.
The Christian life is not just knowing the right things nor is it just doing the right things. What we believe should inform our actions. What we do, how we act, how we live, should affirm what we believe.
The merging of the two are essential for a vibrant spirituality and a healthy and united church.
Right thinking leads to right living. Right belief paves the way for right behavior. Paul knows this. It is why he spent the first three chapters ''unfolding the eternal purposes of God that have been worked out in history.'' He has shown us the great blessings that are ours because of Christ and who we are in Christ.
- We have been chosen by God before the foundation of the world.
- We have been predestined to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ.
- We have been redeemed through the blood ...
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