Ephesians 4:17-32
Read Ephesians 4:17-32
Helpful Background Information:
For the past couple of days, we have looked at the covenant of marriage. For the rest of this week, we will examine a broader application of covenant relationships. And in Ephesians 4:17-32, we find that the church is a covenant community.
In our passage today, Paul is explaining the new life we have in Christ. By God’s Spirit, we can put off the sinful deeds of the flesh - the old self - and put on the new self. Christians are called to live amongst each other by speaking the truth, to do honest work with our hands, to speak for the building up, to be kind and compassionate, and so forth. For our purposes, verse 25 must be at the forefront of our minds: “we are members of one another.” The church, the assembled body of believers, is the New Covenant Community established by Christ in his death and resurrection, sealed to the Lord and each other by His Holy Spirit. (See Romans 12:5).
As we see here in Ephesians, believers have an obligation to live with each other in a manner that accords with God’s commands, such as forgiveness, gentleness, and patience (See rest of Ephesians 4 and Colossians 3). Church members are called to stir each other to good works, to meet with each other regularly (Hebrews 10:24-25), to bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), to hear the preaching of the Word (1 Timothy 4:13), and to use the gifts they’ve been given by God for the service of each other (1 Corinthians 12:8). God has appointed elders and deacons to lead this covenant community (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1-13). He has given this covenant community the ability to discipline members who are living in constant sin, with the aim of restoring them to full fellowship (Matthew 18:15-20). Although some of us may not be married for a variety of reasons, let us remember that as Crossroads, we covenant with one another to live in harmony with what God has said in Word regarding his community/family - the church. Being a part of a church is a glorious, yet weighty responsibility!
Reflection Questions:
What does it mean that the church is a “covenant community” rather than just a place you attend? How might this understanding challenge the way you engage with church?
What does “putting off the old self” and “putting on the new self” look like in your everyday interactions with fellow believers? Are there specific attitudes, habits, or patterns that the Holy Spirit is convicting you to change?
How does being part of a covenant church family reflect God’s design for community and belonging in your life? What are some ways you can invest more intentionally in the church as your spiritual family?