Therefore …
Summary: Paul’s writing is a challenge to keep up with. His thoughts are complex and deeply interrelated. When we get to a point where he says, “therefore…” it is always good to stop and think about where he has been and where he is going.
In our church, Pastor Rich is famous for pointing out the “therefore’s” in Paul’s letters. Whenever we run across one in a Bible study, he will stop and ask, “What is the ‘therefore’ there for?” It is a funny-sounding question with an important point: What is Paul talking about?
Because of Paul’s complex thought processes, his writing tends to be complex as well. Sentences turn into paragraphs without any seeming effort. Paul’s thoughts unwind like an endless spool of chain links, each thought linked to another and then another. To grasp what he is talking about, we have to hold each link in our conscious mind until we see where he is going, then, we can set those links down and collect the next batch.
Paul has been talking about the believers in Ephesus in a loving way. He mentions their faith in Jesus and their love for God’s people. He talks about how he prays for them, and then he segues into thoughts about God’s power and the sovereignty of Jesus Christ. Then he says, “therefore…”
Therefore, since all of us Gentiles who believe were at one time “dead” (that is, separated spiritually from God), and since all believers, both Jew and Gentile, are together in Christ, then…
Then what?
Then Paul goes into the rest of his letter. His immediate focus after the “therefore” is overcoming the divisions between Jew and Gentile believers. The Jews have lived for centuries by the Mosaic laws, and these laws require that males be circumcised. Circumcision is so foundational to the Jewish faith that many Jews argue all male believers have to be circumcised. Paul, for his part, argues for peace and acceptance of our differences.
As a general principle, this is a good lesson for us, too. Don’t we do the same kind of thing the Jews were doing to new Gentile believers? It is easy to look down on someone for the way they live, forgetting that we are all made in God’s image. Sometimes we want new visitors or even new believers to conform to our values before we accept them at church, but that is not what God wants.
Fortunately, for us who are “different” (and I count myself among that group!), God accepts us and loves us where we are. Yes, he wants us to repent of our sins. And yes, he wants us to draw near to Him in learning, prayer, and worship. But there are no rules in the Bible that say people who look different or talk differently can’t come to church.
Application: Practice loving our neighbor as ourselves.
Food for Thought: What are some practical ways we can be more welcoming of others in church?
I think it is important to be intentional. When we come to a service or activity, look for those who are new or alone, and go up and smile and say hello. Hospitality is more than opening one’s home, it is an attitude in which we can intentionally extend the fruit of the Spirit to someone else, even someone we don’t know. Besides that, God’s word makes it clear what our attitude should be: Matthew 25: 35; Luke 9: 48; Romans 12: 13; Romans 15: 7: Hebrews 13: 2
Brother Rich,
Welcome back! Great verses! I like the word, “intentional.” When I hear that word, it reminds me, “Oh yeah, I have to stop and consciously think about this … and then do it.”
04-12-2023, What are some practical ways we can be more welcoming of others in church?
We have been left on earth for a purpose. Romans 3:22-24 clearly tells us that any righteousness we may contain is because of our faith in Jesus Christ. We have all sinned and all fall short of the glory of God, freely justified by HIS GRACE, being REDEEMED IN JESUS CHRIST.
Knowing what we know, knowing all righteousness is not of us, but of Christ, we should allow CHRIST to express HIS love, joy and happiness toward others through us!
Allow God to truly show HIS love as a FATHER to His prodigal child who has come back to HIM. Knowing full well who and what we are without Christ, be mindful of what God has done for us, and allow Him to do the same for others through us.
Thanks Ron!
I like your advice: ‘Do unto others what God has done for us.’
Forgive, love, give, care… etc. 🙂
We are definitely received a NICE gift, let our lives show this.
Amen!
I really like what Rich said about being intentional; I agree whole-heartedly! Rich’s scripture references are spot on!
In the time I have spent inside different churches I have seen a very eclectic array of people there. Some look “all together” (dressed nice, confident) and some look “less together” (a little soiled, a little lost). You can never know why they came or what God wants to say to them. Inviting them to be included is always a good start, both for them, and for you. Ask the Holy Spirit to allow the door of your heart to open with the door of their heart.
Thanks, Chris!
It is interesting watching people and how some people react to others.
I once did an experiment in a class I was teaching. I had two small boxes, one with something nice in it and the other had the equivalent of road kill in it. I asked a couple of people to stand in front of the class and without showing others what was in it, look for themselves. Then I asked the class what they thought of the boxes based on the reactions they had seen.
The results were dramatic. Based on facial expressions alone, people judged one box “nice” and the other “icky.” We have to be careful not to judge a book by its cover, but also not to judge a book by someone else’s reaction.
Maybe the person everyone else turns their nose up to is the one God wants us to go say “Hi” to.