(Chapter 6. 1-9)

by T. M. Hyland | Category: Studies In Ephesians: | Oct 1950

That there are some sad failures among the children of God's people is a fact too apparent to be disputed. Not only is it true to fact in our own day, but it is also clearly demonstrated in Scripture, that children of godly parents do sometimes go sadly astray in spiritual things. I can offer no solution to this difficult problem, but I think a word of caution against harsh judgement is necessary. Examples given us in Scripture are sufficient to teach us the wisdom of suspending judgement in such matters until the day when all will appear in its true light. We have no right to conclude that when the children of godly parents do go astray the blame must necessarily be laid at the parents' door.

The impact of the world, the flesh and the devil upon the young to-day is a matter of deep concern to all who care for the future well-being of God's people. The care and instruction of the young people in the assemblies is a matter of paramount importance. We cannot absolve ourselves from our responsibility to the young by merely pointing out their failures. We must learn their problems with sympathy and love, and we must lay ourselves out in the service of the Master to help by counsel, by godly example and by prayer, those lambs of the flock which the Good Shepherd has intrusted to our care. May the vision of the great shepherd-king of the past be ours to-day!

"When our sons shall be as plants grown up in their youth; and our daughters as corner stones hewn after the fashion of a palace; . . -

Happy is the people, that is in such a case:

Yea, happy is the people whose God is the LORD" (Psalm i44. 12.15).

The apostle passes from children and parents to servants and masters. The precise application of this passage is to bondservants. When the epistles were written, slavery was an accepted element in

human society. There were slaves and masters among the early Christians. In the spiritual relationship " in Christ Jesus " these distinctions cease to apply-" In Christ Jesus . . . there can be neither bond nor free" (Galatians 3.28): yet, in this epistle and in the corresponding passage in Colossians, the apostle does not counsel renunciation of bondservice. No revolutionary measures are proposed. Undertakings contracted before conversion are not thereupon vitiated. Explicit instructions with regard to this matter are given elsewhere

"Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called. Wast thou called being a bonaservant? care not for it: but if thou canst become free, use it rather" (1 Corinthians 7.20, 21).

Such is the teaching of the epistles with regard to undertakings contracted before conversion; thereafter the instruction is"Become not bondservants of men" (i Corinthians '7. 28).

The opportunity for the believer to "adorn the doctrine " in the ordinary pursuits and relationships of life is repeatedly emphasized in the epistles. He is not to forsake the path of duty for the cloister. The Lord's disciple is to be a dutiful child, a devoted parent, a e6nscientious servant, a just and considerate master. As a man amongst men he is to be Christ's bondservant, "doing the will of Godfrom the heart." There is a tendency for us to segregate our workaday life; to regard it as a necessary evil to be endured, but as in no sense a part of our service to the Lord. This passage should correct such a notion. No station in life is too low, and none too high, in which to engage in Christ's bondservice. Such conduct often brings a rich reward iii this life, but certain it is that it will receive due recompense at the judgement-seat of Christ; "from the Lord" will come an abundant return. Many hidden lives will receive their due reward when all is made manifest " in that day."

(Chapter 6. 10.24).

The great apostle nears the closing sentences of his wonderful letter. Soon it will be committed to the faithful Tychicus to carry to the beloved Ephesian saints. What shall be his final word to them?

His message began with a note of praise~it ends with a call to arms; it began with the~blessings, in the heavenlies~it ends with the conflict, in the heavenlies. Perhaps the thought of the Christian warrior and his equipment came before him as he looked at the fully-armed Roman soldier at his side. These Ephesians would be attacked by mighty spiritual foes. As an old warrior with vast experience of the subtle tactics of his great adversary, he must warn them and tell them of the divine provision which would enable them to staud against every attack of their spiritual enemies.

The conflict here described is no mock battle, no make-believe. It is a stern, unrelenting struggle against the powers of darkness. If some believers are strangely unaware of the great spiritual conflict which is raging it is because in their case the devil's tactics have been eminently successful-he has lulled them to sleep. The issues of this conflict transcend in importance those of any other. This is the present phase of that age-long struggle which will end in the triumph of the Lord over all His foes, and the eternal banishment of the Old Serpent and all his hosts of wickedness. Because final victory is certain, the apostle calls upon the Ephesian saints to " be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."

Who are the protagonists in this great struggle? On the one hand is the believer: against him are arrayed "the principalities, the powers, the world rulers of this darkness, the spiritual hosts of wickedness." These terms describe that vast, highly organised, spiritual kingdom of which Satan is the bead; a formidable arrav indeed!

Where does the conflict take place? In the heavenlies. We have already observed from the earlier chapters of the epistle that in this spiritual realm the believer is eternally associated with Christ in God's purposes. No machinations of the devil can possibly eject the believer from his standing in Christ by divine grace in the heavenlies. But the heavenlies is not only the place of the believer's spiritual blessings, it is also the sphere of his present conflict. He must penetrate now by faith into that heavenly realm and take his stand in the sphere in which divine purposes operate. The devil's present purpose is to eliminate the believer as a spiritual factor; to prevent him from using the spiritual resources which are available to him " in Christ." These resources are more than sufficient for every contingency. So the apostle calls upon us to take up here and now by faith the position which is actually ours "in Christ," and having taken that position we are to hold it. The call is to " stand against," to "withstand in the evil day," and "having done all, to stand." The thought here is not attacking the enemy, but withstanding him. For this purpose there is armour to "put on" and armour to "take up "-the whole armour of God. The struggle is not at long range, but is a hand-to-hand conflict, described as "our wrestling." We shall feel, as it were, the very breath of our foes against our faces.

This is an inspiring picture of the armed sentinel of the Lord which the apostle gives us, perfectly equipped from head to foot for the battle. His loins are girt with truth. The girdle is an important part of the armour. There must be no "loose ends" to impede the Christian soldier's movements or to give the least occasion to his adversary to trip him up. If there is the slightest hypocrisy or pretence there will be weakness. Truth is the divine girdle for the Christian soldier's loins.

Then, covering the vital organs, is the breastplate of righteousness; not here, I suggest, imputed righteousness, but practical righteousness manifested in the daily life. The preservation of a good conscience

by obedience to the Word of God is our protection against the adversary's attack upon our heart's affection to the Lord, which is so vital in this great conflict.

The Christian warrior is sure-footed for his feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. The gospel which brought " peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" is not only to be received; the Christian soldier must also stand in it (1 Corinthians i5. 1). Thus shod, his feet will take a firm hold on the rock beneath him; none of his steps will slide.

Then, the Christian is provided with a great shield. The Greek word thureos implies a door-shield, the largest type of Roman shield, affording protection for the whole body. Faith in God is the all-over protection for the Christian soldier. No fiery dart of the Evil One can reach the believer who takes refuge behind the large shield of faith; faith in God makes him invulnerable.

There is also a helmet for the head of the Christian soldier. This affords protection for the mind of the believer, and consists in the knowledge of God's salvation. Salvation here is all inclusive. The Christian's mind is fortified by the assurance of final victory; his morale is unshakable.

In addition to the five pieces of defensive equipment, the Christian soldier has a great offensive weapon. For hand-to-hand combat he has at his disposal the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. "It is written" is the weapon against which no foe can stand. And all the time he stands in the midst of the battle the Christian warrior is in communication with his great Commander. He is always praying, and by this means he not only keeps the line of communication open, but his efforts are co-ordinated with those of his fellowsoldiers in other parts of the battlefield.

As we look at the inspiring picture of the Christian warrior which the apostle has drawn for us, three main lessons are indicated :-

(1) The completeness of the divine provision for those engaged in this great conflict.

(2) The tremendous issues which are involved.

(3) The mighty influence one such Christian warrior can wield. These are matters for earnest consideration by us all.

In these easy-going days do we not need to examine afresh what part we are playing in this great conflict? The powers of darkness are directed against us as individuals, against us in our assembly life. Some, alas, through their own negligence get disabled in the battle. Wounded soldiers are not only eliminated from the conflict, they also become a charge on others, and absorb energies which might be directed against the common foe. Some appear to have retired from the conflict and have become mere lookers-on. They leave others to

do the fighting, but reserve to themselves the right to criticize. The need for saints to take up the whole armour of God was never more urgent than it is to-day. Shall we not heed the call?

"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (1 Corinthians 16. 15).

<Author:T. M. Hyland>

T. M. Hyland | Oct 1950
Studies In Ephesians: