Today we want to continue our search for answers to questions like “How could a local church bring sorrow to God’s Spirit?” and “How could a local church even stifle Him in His work of Christlike transformation?”
So, why might God’s Spirit be hindered in starting or continuing the Christlike transformation of a local church? Why might this transformation process even come to a premature halt?
When mutual love and genuine care withers in my church.....
In his letter to the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey), the apostle Paul encourages the church to throw off their former selfish way of life and practise living a Christlike life in their Christian community. Paul writes:
“With the Lord's authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused.
Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him.
They don't care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways.
Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.
But that isn't what you were taught when you learned about Christ.
Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception.
Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.
You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness-- righteous, holy, and true.
So put away all falsehood and "tell your neighbor the truth" because we belong to each other (NIV: for we are all members of one body).
And "don't sin by letting anger gain control over you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.
If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need.
Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior.
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Follow God's example in everything you do, because you are his dear children Christ has forgiven you.
Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people.
Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes-- these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world.
Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the terrible anger of God comes upon all those who disobey him.
Don't participate in the things these people do. For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them.
It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But when the light shines on them, it becomes clear how evil these things are. And where your light shines, it will expose their evil deeds. This is why it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light."
So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise.
Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days.
Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life.
Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.
Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And further, you will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 4:17-5:21)
Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus is first of all a letter about ‘church life and growth in a Christlike way’. Therefore, in the text we just read he encourages the members of the church, saying:
-- Live no longer as the ungodly do (Ephesians 4:17)
-- Throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life (Ephesians 4:22)
-- There must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes (Ephesians 4:23)
-- You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness (Ephesians 4:24)
-- Do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. (Ephesians 4:30)
-- Follow God's example in everything you do (Ephesians 5:1)
-- Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ (Ephesians 5:2)
From the entire letter it is clear, that Paul doesn’t subject the Ephesian Christians here to a new law to obey. No human being could live up to such godly standards by his own efforts. On the contrary, they should submit themselves to God’s Spirit who lives in and among them. He wants to produce this new, Christlike life in the Ephesian church family.
In the same way Paul urges the followers of Jesus in Galatia (modern Turkey) ‘to follow the way of the Spirit’. It is Him who produces Jesus’ life in the church:
“So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.
But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the Law.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin.
Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." (Galatians 5:16-22)
From both examples in the New Testament it is clear, that when my church is not controlled by God’s Spirit, or even does not know the Holy Spirit of God, He will be hindered in starting or continuing the Christlike transformation of my church.
(to be continued)
The Bible verses are quoted from the New Living Translation.
NIV = New International Version
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