(Ephesians 5:18—6:9)
Our world is so full of conflict, heartbreak and anarchy that we often ask, “Does anybody have an answer?” Our response is, “Yes, the answer is in the Word of God!”
Paul, the Apostle, addresses himself to these problems. The trouble is that, even among professing Christians, our lives are not governed by the Word of God.
In the Book of Ephesians, our attention is called to the “filling” ministry of the Holy Spirit which gives us the power to live and do what is right.
THE SECRET FOR HARMONY DISCLOSED
(Filling of the Holy Spirit) – Ephesians 5:18-20.
- The “filling of the Holy Spirit” is likened unto drunkenness: Ephesians 5:18; cf., Luke 1:15; Acts 2:13, 15. The influence of the wine alters one’s behavior: his thinking, talking, walking, and so the “filling of the Holy Spirit” alters one’s behavior.
- The lesson to be learned is one of control, headship, submission and authority.
- The control (“filling”) of the Holy Spirit and the “indwelling” of the Word of God are the same thing! This is evidenced by the “fruit” (cf., Eph. 5:18-6:9 with Col. 3:16-4:6).
- This control makes your body belong to Christ, while the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” makes you belong to Christ’s Body (1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 3:27).
- This control is from within not from without (cf., Rom. 8:9-16).
- This control results in “harmony.” (a) The Spirit-filled heart” produces a “singing heart” (Eph. 5:20), and a “submissive heart” (Eph. 5:21). Compare these verses with Colossians 3:16-18 and Galatians 5:22-23.
- Anyway you want to look at it, when you have these three qualities you have harmony. It is not difficult to live and work with those who have these qualities: fruit in their lives!
- When there is disharmony, SOMEBODY IS NOT RIGHT WITH GOD (Eph. 5:21).
THE SECRET FOR HARMONY APPLIED
(Submission) – Ephesians 5:22-6:9
Submission and harmony go together.
- Submission to the Holy Spirit equals harmony in the soul: see point “6” above and Ephesians 4:30 and 1 Thessalonians 4:19.
- Submission to Christ equals harmony in the church: Ephesians 5:23b-24; cf., Eph. 4:15-16.
- Submission to the husband equals harmony in the marriage: Ephesians 5:22-24.
The home can either be an “outpost of Hell,” or a “parcel of Paradise”; again, it depends greatly on the “Head,” and the “Body” being in a right relationship.
According to the latest statistics, 50% of all marriages in America end in divorce.
- Submission to the parents equals harmony in the home: Ephesians 6:1-4.
- Submission to the employer equals harmony on the job: Ephesians 6:5-9.
Submission is encouraged by the “aggressive benevolence” of the Head.
- The Holy Spirit was “aggressively benevolent” towards us in salvation and we submitted to Him willingly: John 6:63; 3:6.
- The Lord Jesus Christ was “aggressively benevolent” towards us in salvation and the Christian way of life and we submitted to Him willingly: Ephesians 5:25-31; cf., Romans 5:6-10.
The Lord Jesus Christ was “aggressively benevo- lent” toward us in five ways: (1) sacrificial love: vs. 25; (2) sanctified love: vs. 26; (3) spiritually-enriching love: vs. 27; (4) selfish love: vs. 28 (5) satisfying love: vss. 29- 30.
Husbands promote harmony in the marriage when they, too, are “aggressively benevolent” toward their wives: Ephesians 5:25-33. Is you love like Christ’s love?
Fathers promote harmony in the home when they are “aggressively benevolent” toward their children: Ephesians 6:4.
Employers promote harmony on the job when they are “aggressively benevolent” toward their employees: Ephesians 6:9.
CONCLUSION:
If the Word of God and the filling of the Holy Spirit is the answer to the confusion, heartbreak and anarchy in our world today, then how careful we Christians ought to be to spend time daily letting “the Word of Christ dwell in us richly,” so that the Holy Spirit can work in our lives to promote harmony—a harmony in the home—a harmony on the job—and even a harmony in the church!