A Biblical View of the Life of a Leader - Ephesians 4-6

[Mark Breton]

     Ephesians 4-6 is a study in contrasts. One side represents all that a leader should be, the other is representative of a life lived outside the holiness of God and the subsequent result: failing leadership. Everyone is a leader. Paul takes the time to explain to the body that there are those who are set in spiritual authority for the good of the body. He is writing this letter to all of us, however. The overarching theme of the passage for us is the idea of standing firm in the knowledge and faith we have received; not just for ourselves singularly, but for the body, and ultimately for the glory of God. In this leadership role we achieve our potential as leaders and the body is blessed by it.
In chapter four we see an excellent view of the body of Christ in motion together, working together and living together. Our lives push us towards singularity constantly and we much choose the better way, the way of love and peace. We as believers must come to a complete understanding that we are one in Christ, no matter how we feel about it or how we choose, or not choose, to gather. There is a standard that we must uphold, not because it is law, but because it is the true pathway to freedom. In that freedom we become patient, humble, gentle, and we are made able to bear with each other in love. Love is the pathway to peace and unity in the body. We are of one faith, even when we don’t recognize it. The challenge to the leader is communicating that concept to the body and encouraging unity around that principle. Paul continues and talks about how God has equipped the body to give us the ability to gain the fullness of Christ and in that fullness we are able to stand against the world. Christ has descended to us in order that he might lead us into his ascension. We know of his ascension to the right hand of the father, but we can also know of how he ascends above all worldly things and offers to us that companionship in rising. It is in walking the walk set before us that we find we have ascended with Christ.
     Themes in these passages are evident: love, maturity, grace, unity, peace, living in honesty and speaking words that are edifying and not destructive. Paul urges us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. This would be the great portico we pass through to get to the expansive truths he wants us to live out. In these truths we are relieved of futile thinking. Walking in these truths allows us to “put off the flesh and put on Christ.”
The leader is going to look at this passage and see a lot of things. He is going to have to choose long term fulfillment over short term gratification. Sexual immorality, coarse language, rude jokes, and the like are all fun in their worldly context. They are not fun in the context of heaven and faith because of the incredible destructive power they yield. We know as believers that sin does indeed make us miserable. It is misusing the world to bury some feeling or need that has to be brought out into the light and dealt with properly. Paul clearly demonstrates that the sinful behavior is the contrast to righteous living. Lasciviousness, greed, and envy are the opposites of gratefulness, joy, and light. Paul doesn’t want the thief to just quit stealing, he wants him to work to provide for the needs of others. It is almost like there is right and wrong, and then there is extra right and wrong. It really all just speaks to our idea of right and wrong. It isn’t enough to refrain from evil; we must do good and that good must be done for the benefit of the body. He writes not only “don’t be drunk with wine” but also, “Be filled with the Spirit.” We cannot be an unfurnished house.
      We must embrace the fruit of the Spirit being grown in us and walk worthy of our call. That is the only way we will be effective as leaders. In Psalms 15 David reveals to us the contrast that is mirrored in Ephesians when he writes about the man who not only does not walk in the way of sinners, but whose delight is in the Law of God. It all speaks to choice. We must choose to walk in righteousness. In A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Peterson reveals to the reader truths that are shown in the Psalms as well as in Ephesians: it is a walk of obedience by choice and it is for the long haul. The maturity Paul calls us to is necessary for that long haul. Our world is calling with its siren song to take the easy way, the path without stones and lined with microwaveable spirituality. It is a false construct that spiritual babies believe in. Peterson calls it “patent-medicine religion.” We must be consistent, having one faith, one belief, and the word of God is it. No superstition for us. Truth is truth.
     I have a tool belt that my wife gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago. It is in great shape, because I haven’t used it. It looks good but is not fulfilling its purpose at all. I haven’t put my tools in it; I have an old worn tool bag that I am carrying around. We are very much like that tool belt in our Christian walk. We have to put it on and we have to get our tools in it. Ephesians is the passage that explains to us both how to wear our tool belt and what to put in it. I would look pretty foolish if I put on my tool belt and put mud and rocks in the pouches, and sticks in the rings where the hammers go. There is properness to things spiritual; they must be in their place. These passages teach us what tools to have and where to put them. It indicates clearly what doesn’t belong. It also clearly tells us that we must be grown up to wear that tool belt. My son is 22yrs old. He can wear that belt. When he was five he couldn’t have even lifted that belt. There is a process of transformation that we pass through, led and powered by the Holy Spirit, that enables us to put on that tool belt, or as Paul put it, the whole armor of God. Paul knows that these believers he is writing to cannot afford to be infantile in their behavior, saying, “I want what I want when I want it.” That statement holds no servanthood in it, and being a believer and a leader is completely about assuming the posture of being a servant. It is all a choice. I can leave that tool belt on the shelf or I can stock it up and swing that hammer. I can work or watch cartoons. One activity is very productive and becomes very fulfilling; the other is fulfilling for a while, but not for long and it certainly is not productive. Paul is urging us on into age appropriate behavior for the good of everyone. Only in this behavior, as the fruit of love, is peace and unity attained. Attaining that peace through diligence and humility is the work of a leader. We need to do the work so that we can become the leader that God has made us to be. It’s time to put down the remote and pick up the tool belt.

[Chipper]

That was/is so true.....really good study!