Ephesians 4:7-16 and Consistency…
In my three previous posts, I have been discussing Ephesians 4:7-16 (“Ephesians 4:11 and the Five-Fold Ministry“, “Ephesians 4:12 and Equipping Ministries“, and “Ephesians 4:7-16 and the Growing Church“). In this post, I am going to examine some of my previous statements concerning Ephesians 4:7-16 with reference to other passages of Scripture. In other words, I am going to ask this question: Are my conclusions consistent with other passages of Scripture?
First, based on Ephesians 4:7, I stated, “God works through different people in different ways according to his grace and Christ’s measure”. This is straightforward, and few disagree with this statement. But, there are a few parallel passages that teach the same thing. For example, the first part of Romans 12:6 says, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us…” (Romans 12:6a ESV) Once again, we see that different people are given different gifts according to God’s grace. Similarly, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 state in three different ways that there are “varieties” of gifts all given by the same Triune God.
Second, based on the emphasis beginning in Ephesians 4:8 and continuing through 4:16, I concluded that Paul was emphasizing Jesus’ giving instead of emphasizing specific gifts. I said, “The emphasis is firmly placed on Christ and the affects of his giving”. This can also be seen in 1 Corinthians 12, specifically in the passage I mentioned earlier:
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 ESV)
While volumes have been written identifying the various gifts listed in verses 8-10 and how people with those gifts should function, this is not the author’s purpose. In fact, Paul does not identify how each gift functions. Instead, he emphasizes that it is God Himself (through the Spirit) who gives the gifts. In these eight verses, Paul states that God gives the gifts for His purposes nine distinct times. Once again, we see that the emphasis is not on the gifted individuals nor on the functioning of those individuals. Instead, Paul consistently emphasizes that gifts and gifted individuals are given by Christ or the Spirit in order to carry out His will and His purposes.
Third, I suggested that the individuals listed in Ephesians 4:11 do not represent offices or positions in the church, but instead represent examples of gifted individuals. This is probably the most controversial point of my interpretation of Ephesians 4:7-16. I do not expect to convert anyone to my position, but I will attempt to explain my position. My request to those who disagree: Please try to understand what I am saying before you begin arguing against me.
Notice that in 1 Corinthians 12:28-30, Paul easily transitions from gifted individuals to the gifts themselves:
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:28-30 ESV)
Why do we see some of these as offices or positions, but not others? If we have an office of apostle, why not an office of helping? If teachers represent a certain position in the church, why not a position of interpreter?
Consider, instead, the possibility that God worked through individual believers according to His will and for His purposes (as we have seen previously, and as Paul emphasized in an earlier passage in 1 Corinthians 12). It is the working of God (manifestation of the Spirit) that is recognized as specific giftings, not particular inate abilities within the individuals themselves. God could use some as apostles, others through gifts of healing, others with gifts of teachings, and others as interpreters. This says nothing about the individuals themselves; instead, it speaks about the working of God. Thus, a “teacher” is simply a believer through whom the Spirit normally teaches other believers. An “interpreter” is simply a believer through whom the Spirit normally manifests Himself through interpreting tongues. This does not require a special office or position. It does, however, require God to work through individuals as He Himself chooses.
This also helps explain why (in just a few paragraphs) Paul instructs the believers in Corinth that they all have the ability to prophesy: “For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged.” (1 Corinthians 14:31 ESV) The gift of prophecy is not relegated to those who hold an office or position of prophet. All believers have the potential of prophesying, if God wills to prophesy through them. (By the way, in case someone wants to make a distinction between “prophet” and “prophecy”, please notice that Paul does not make the same distinction. Instead, he closely connects “prophet”, “prophecy”, and “revelation” in 1 Corinthians 14:29-32.) The prophet is the one who prophesies, not the one who holds a particular office or position. The same could be said for apostles, evangelists, pastors, teachers, etc.
Finally, based on Ephesians 4:16, I concluded that the body will only grow (as Christ desires it to grow) if each believer functions as he or she is gifted by Christ. I said, “In fact, the last verse emphasizes and double emphasizes that it is the proper working of each part of the body that is necessary for the body to grow”. Most would agree with this point as well, but I want to empahsize one thing in particular. According to Scripture no gift or grouping of gifts are more important than any other gift or grouping of gifts. Instead, every individual (as gifted by God) is necessary for the proper functioning and growth of the body.
Again, 1 Corinthians 12 is the best parallel for this (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Not only does Paul recognize the importance of each “member” of the body of Christ (foot, hand, ear, eye metaphorically), he also teaches us that those gifts that seem less important – from a human viewpoint – are actually more important from God’s viewpoint:
On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. (1 Corinthians 12:22-25 ESV)
Notice specifically that God Himself deems of greater honor those parts of the body that seem to be weaker, dispensable, and less honorable to us. This turns human thinking about importance and leadership on its head.
All members of the body of Christ should recognize that they were placed in the body and gifted by God Himself to carry out His will. No one is indispensable; no one is less important. Instead, every believer should function as gifted by God. If those gifted as apostles and evangelists are functioning, but those gifted as healers and interpreters are not, then the body will not grow as God planned. If those gifted as prophets and pastors and teachers are functioning, but those gifted as helpers, tongues speakers, and miracle workers are not, then the body will not be edificed toward maturity in Christ. Every member of the body is placed in the body by God to function as the Spirit gifts, enables, and empowers.
Hopefully, even those who disagree with me at certain points will recognize that I have attempted to be consistent in my understanding of Scripture. More importantly, this is not an academic exercise for me. Because of these teachings and others, I treat everyone within the body of Christ (regardless of abilities, talents, or gifts) as equally important and necessary. I have been chosen as an elder, but I do not see myself, my gifts, my abilities, or even my opinions as more important or more correct that anyone else’s. God can use my nine year old daughter and sister in Christ to edify me and others just as He can use me.
As always, I know that I am fallible, and I know that I am still learning. I welcome any questions or comments.
Ephesians 4:7-16 Series:
1. Ephesians 4:11 and the Five-Fold Ministry
2. Ephesians 4:12 and Equipping Ministry
3. Ephesians 4:7-16 and the Growing Church
4. Ephesians 4:7-16 and Consistency
Ephesians 4:7-16 and the Growing Church…
In my last two posts (“Ephesians 4:11 and the Five-Fold Ministry” and “Ephesians 4:12 and Equipping Ministries“) I argued from the basic structure of the Greek sentence that Paul was not specifying a special group of five leaders who job was to equip the church. Because of these posts, several have asked me to post my interpretation of Ephesians 4:11-12. In order to do so, I believe we must look at the passage in context.
Paul begins this section of Ephesians (that we call chapter 4), by encouraging believers to deal with one another in humility and gentleness and patience in order to “maintain the unity”. What unity is Paul talking about? He explains that we are united in one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. This is the foundation of our unity. From this starting point of unity, Paul writes:
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” ( In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:7-16 ESV)
Beginning in verse 7, Paul recognizes that unity is not the same as uniformity. God works through different people in different ways according to his grace and Christ’s measure. “Measure” is an important word in this passage (μÎÏ„Ïον – metron), showing up in three important verses: 4:7, 13, 16. Also, the phrase “to each one of us” is important: it is fronted in the Greek text, showing the author’s emphasis.
Next, in verse 8, Paul quotes Psalm 68:18 in order to demonstrate Christ’s right to distribute gifts. In this quote (and in the explanation that follows in the next two verses), Christ is described as a victorious conqueror. As a conqueror, he has the right to the spoils and to distribute those spoils as he sees fit. Thus, Christ (the one who descended and ascended) has the right to distribute gifts according to his measure.
In the next two verses, Paul connects the “ascending” in verse 8 to Jesus’ incarnation (descension) and ascension. In verse 10 especially, the subject changes to focus on the work of Jesus. Christ is “He who descended” and “who also ascended”, and he does this for a particular purpose: “that he might fill all things”. This is very important: Christ does not give gifts so that the gifts might fill all things, or that the gifted individuals might fill all things. Instead, Christ ascended and gives gifts so that he himself might fill all things.
Paul continues to focus on the work of Christ in verse 11. This verse begins a sentence that continues through the end of verse 16. Specifically, the verse and sentence begins with the (unnecessary) nominative third person pronoun “he” (αυτος). This pronoun is unnecessary (and rarely used in Ephesians) because the pronoun is already built into the verb “gave” (εδωκεν – aorist active indicative 3rd person singular from διδωμι). Because of this, some English translations begin the verse “he himself gave” (NKJV) or “it was he who gave” (NET, NIV) in order to show the emphasis. Paul lists four groups gifted individuals (apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers) whom Christ gives. (I will discuss this gifted individuals after I finish interpreting this passage.)
Why does Christ give? In verse 12, Paul says that Christ gives for the purpose or result of the equipment, training, or preparation of the saints. Similarly, the following two prepositional phrases (“for the work of ministry/service” and “for building up/edification of the body of Christ”) could demonstrate the purpose or result of Christ’s giving. However, since these two phrases begin with a different prepostion than the phrase “to equip the saints”, this preposition could indicate a frame of reference. Thus, Paul could be saying that Christ gives for the purpose or result of the work of service and the edification of the body, or he could be saying that Christ gives with reference to the work of service and the edification of the body. Either way, any “work of service” or “edification of the body” is carried out only because of Christ’s giving, not because of the people themselves.
Verse 13 begins with a conjunction: “until”. From this we see that the author continues to point back to the beginning of this sentence: “And he gave… until”. There is a point at which Christ will stop giving. What is that point? Notice there is a change of subject for this clause. Now the subject is Paul and other believers: “we all”. Christ will stop giving when “we all” reach (“attain to”) at least three things: 1) unity, 2) perfection/completion, and 3) the measure of Christ himself. (This is the second use of the term μÎÏ„Ïον (metron – “measure”). Christ not only “measures” the gifts that he gives (vs. 7), he is also the “measure” of the perfection to which we are being changed.)
Verse 14 begins with another conjunction that relates back to the beginning of the sentence in verse 11: “And he gave… in order that”. We are not yet perfect, but we may no longer be children. Because Christ gives, we are being matured such that we no longer are affected by the storms of this world. The “storms” that concern Paul most are the “cunning, crafty, deceitful” teachings of other humans. As we mature through the gifts that Christ gives, we grow beyond being affected by this type of deceit.
In verse 15, Paul continues the clause that he began in verse 14. This is still part of the same sentence that started in verse 11: “And he gave… in order that we might no longer be children… but [in order that] we might grow…” In this verse, we begin to understand how Christ’s gift move us from being children to the perfection and maturity that is measured by Christ. We begin by being truthful in love. As we grow into the head – that is Christ – something else begins to happen that is further explained in verse 16.
In the final verse of this section (vs. 16), we see that our goal is to grow into the head (Christ) by working from the head (Christ). As each part of the body does its share (literally: “according to the working in the measure of each one’s part”), the body grows into Christ. Here is the third use of the term μÎÏ„Ïον (metron – “measure”). No only does Christ “measure” the gifts that he gives, and not only is Christ the “measure” of our growth, Christ also “measures” the part that each person plays in the growth of the body.
Specifically, each person has a part to play in order for the body to grow. In fact, this verse states this emphatically twice (double emphasis): “joined and held together by every joint” and “when each part is working properly”.
So, in this passage, the emphasis is firmly placed on Christ and the affects of his giving, not on the function of certain parts of the body of Christ. In fact, the last verse emphasizes and double emphasizes that it is the proper working of each part of the body that is necessary for the body to grow. Is it necessary for apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, etc. to function properly in order for the body to grow? Yes, absolutely! But, this is not because they are special parts of the body, but because that are parts of the body. Every part of the body must function properly in Christ in order for the body to grow. There are not any unnecessary parts nor are there any unimportant parts in the body of Christ.
Therefore, when I look at the list of gifted individuals (see, I told you I would get back to them!) in Ephesians 4:11, in the context of this entire passage and especially in the context of the long sentence that runs from 4:11-16, I do not see a list of special Christian leaders. In fact, seeing these gifted individuals as special leaders would be contrary to the entire passage. Instead, it seems to me that in Eph 4:11, Paul is simply listing examples of gifted individuals that Christ gives to the church. These individuals, and all other believers, must function as they are gifted in order for the church to be edified. 1 Corinthians 12 (especially 1 Cor. 12:28-30) shows that Paul can easily shift from gifts (as in Eph 4:7-10; 1 Cor 12:28b;30) to gifted individuals (as in Eph 4:11; 1 Cor 12:28a;29).
What do I make of the combination “pastors and teachers” in Eph. 4:11? I do not have to make anything of this. Simply, Paul is pointing to individuals who are gifted both with pastoring and teaching. Paul is not saying that all pastors are teachers; nor is he saying that all teachers are pastors. These arguments may be made based on other passages of Scripture, but that is not Paul’s point here. Instead, just as some people are gifted by Christ as apostles, others are gifted as prophets, others are gifted as evangelists, and still others are gifted as pastors and teachers.
What is important is that those who are gifted as apostles must function as apostles in order for the church to be edified. Those who are gifted as prophets must function as prophets in order for the church to grow. Those who are gifted as evangelists must function as evangelists as Christ himself has measured their part. Those who are gifted as pastors and teachers must function as pastors and teachers in order for the church to mature toward Christ-likeness. These gifted individuals and all gifted believers edify the church when they do their part – gifted, empowered, and enabled by Christ himself. Christ equips believers to edify the church.
Yes, I believe these giftings are still necessary today, but that belief has little to do with this passage (I have already mentioned something of this in 4:13 with the conjunction “until”). Instead, I do not see any indication elsewhere in Scripture that any gifting has stopped. I do believe that gifting will stop eventually, but that time (the time of perfection – Eph 4:13; 1 Cor 13:10) has not occurred yet.
I have tried to start with the text of Scripture and what the text actually says. I have based my interpretation on that text. Do I have preconceptions coming into this text? Certainly. Am I open to correction? Yes, I am open to correction as explained from the text itself. Do I believe that the Holy Spirit aids me in understanding these texts? Absolutely! As important, if not more important, I also rely on the Spirit to enable me and convict me to LIVE these texts. I have tried to live what I believe here and elsewhere in Scripture. Does that mean that I am always right? No, the Spirit is infallible, but I am not. I know that this interpretation will not satisfy everyone. I’m okay with that, and I would welcome any comments.
Ephesians 4:7-16 Series:
1. Ephesians 4:11 and the Five-Fold Ministry
2. Ephesians 4:12 and Equipping Ministry
3. Ephesians 4:7-16 and the Growing Church
4. Ephesians 4:7-16 and Consistency
Ephesians 4:11 and the Five-Fold Ministry…
I have read several books that discuss the “five-fold ministry”, taken from Ephesians 4:11. (Two important books that deal with “five-fold ministry” are Wolfgang Simson’s Houses that Change the World and Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch’s The Shaping of Things to Come.) According to the “five-fold ministry” concept, the list in this verse (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers – sometimes called APEPT) represent five types of Christian leadership. I’m trying to be very broad in my terminology, because different authors use different words to describe the “five-fold ministry”. Some call them offices; some call them functions; some call them gifts.
At this point, I do not plan to discuss the purpose of the people listed in Ephesians 4:11 – that will come in a later post. Instead, I would like to focus on the number of “items” listed in the verse. Unfortunately, to make this point, I will have to include the Greek text:
και αυτος εδωκεν τους μεν αποστολους τους δε Ï€Ïοφητας τους δε ευαγγελιστας τους δε ποιμενας και διδασκολους…
A literal translation would be:
And he (himself) gave on the one hand the apostles, on the other hand the prophets, on the other hand the evangelists, on the other hand the pastors and teachers…
There are three reasons to see this as a list of four items instead of five.
First, the μεν … δε (men … de – “on the one hand … on the other hand”) conjunction pair works to separate this list into four distinct elements. When using the μεν … δε conjunction, it was perfectly acceptable to the Greeks to have more than two “hands”, but they still used the conjunction pair to mark off the items in the list. Today, in English, we use commas and conjunctions to do the same thing. By examining the μεν … δε … δε … δε construction in Ephesians 4:11, it seems that the author was pointing to four items.
Second, the author also uses the definite article τους (tous) to separate the items. Notice that in this verse, there are four uses of the definite article τους. The last two nouns (ποιμενας και διδασκολους – “pastors and teachers”) share a definite article. This shows a correlation between these two nouns that the author does not indicate between the other three nouns (αποστολους… Ï€Ïοφητας… ευαγγελιστας – “apostles… prophets… evangelists”) since each has its own definite article.
Third, according to Daniel Wallace in Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics, the combination of the μεν … δε conjunction pair with the definite article implies a mild contrast. [212-213] For this reason, many English versions translate this conjunction pair with the definite article as “some” and “others” (i.e. “some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers). However, this “mild contrast” does not exist between the last two nouns (ποιμενας και διδασκολους – “pastors and teachers”). Instead, they are connected by a different conjunction (και) which is connective or correlative. So, the author is contrasting four distinct groups, with the fourth group containing two connected nouns.
In other words, I would contend that the grammar and syntax of Ephesians 4:11 would create a bulleted list as shown below:
- apostles
- prophets
- evangelists
- pastors and teachers
I am not asserting that a “pastor” and a “teacher” are the same thing. That is a completely different discussion. At this point, I am simply examining the grammar, syntax, and construction of the Greek text. It is my belief that the Spirit worked through the authors to produce the text as He desired. Thus, we can know the intention of the author by reading the text itself. Once we know what the text says, then we can begin to discuss what the text means.
Also, I am not asserting that these giftings no longer exist nor am I asserting that God no longer works through individuals as apostles, prophets, etc. Again, that is a separate discussion.
So, what is my assertion? There are four items listed in Ephesians 4:11. I think it is problematic to base the concept of a “five-fold ministry” on a list that only contains four items.
Ephesians 4:7-16 Series:
1. Ephesians 4:11 and the Five-Fold Ministry
2. Ephesians 4:12 and Equipping Ministry
3. Ephesians 4:7-16 and the Growing Church
4. Ephesians 4:7-16 and Consistency
Discussing the dots…
In a previous post called “Connecting the dots…“, I suggested that Scripture gives us certain points of reference, but does not always draw a complete picture as to how we should live, or perhaps even what we should believe. Similarly, in the post “Adding more dots…“, I suggested that we should make a distinction between Scriptural points of reference and man-made points of reference that we often find in creeds, confessions, and systems of theology. These two posts build a foundation in order to answer the question, “How do we live between the dots?” I answered this question in the post “Living between the dots…” We live between the dots just as we live near the dots, by living in the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit. In “Blurring the dots…” I recognized that living according to any “voice” other than the Spirit’s is the same as usurping the authority of God in our lives.
In this post, I want to include other voices in this conversation. I believe that God puts us together for a reason, and sometimes He speaks to us through other people.
Aussie John said:
The whole group of local Body parts functioning as one living unit must be involved in filling in the gaps, with EACH PART, “hearing” the voice of God in the Scriptures, in “the still small voice”, and in discussion with each other, checking whether what they “hear” or “see” is truly in accord with the Scriptures.
Heather said:
I think, honestly, that people would rather God just spelled it ALL out or they would rather have someone else (i.e. a pastor) spell it all out for them. We’ve become lazy and fearful (on many levels) and we have a lack of understand of who God is … because of that we would rather not invest the time and energy that it takes to walk by the Spirit. We’d rather not wait, we’d rather not walk by faith. We’re afraid that we might make the wrong decisions or even have to question some things we’ve always believed.
John Purcell said:
This started me thinking about relationships. Now, this is not well formed (as yet) but I wonder whether we inherently look for ‘guidelines’ etc, to eliminate certain (often unknown) risks that might otherwise be involved.Consider for a moment, if we ‘knew’ God well, i.e. really knew Him; not just knew about Him. Then we would be more inclined to ‘know’ what he wanted of us (whether individually or corporately) far more readily. I can’t help but wonder whether a large part of the problem lies in our inability to relate well to others and especially to God on a level of intimacy that would equate to such ‘knowing’?
Kat (Elder’s Wife) said:
I keep going back to my favorite verse, Phil. 3:10 “…that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death…” To know Christ, really know Him would mean a far deeper bond than any marriage could ever have. My husband and I have been married 40+ years, and every day I know him better and better. We love to talk because our interests have become more and more aligned. I know what he like to eat and how he likes to relax and what kind of music/books he enjoys and what makes him cry/laugh. A single word or phrase brings back shared memories. Sometimes, we don’t even have to say a word, and we know what the other is thinking…and sometimes we finish each other’s sentences. That’s knowing another person. God knows me (and I can’t imagine why He still loves me!), but I don’t know nearly enough of Him. I want to be able to know Him well enough to finish His sentences. That, I think, is living between the dots.
Jonathan said:
I’d like to chime in and agree that probably a good starting place for this aspect of the discussion is “knowing God” and being led by the Holy Spirit. Clearly, that has to be where we start in discerning what dots are man-made and which are God-made.
Heather said:
I am currently in the process of removing some man-made dots, but this will probably continue on for the rest of my life 🙂 … and that’s a good thing. I have realized over the past 2 or so years that I don’t know what I think I know. Again, a very good thing, to be sure! How has this impacted my walk? It’s amplified it, enhanced it, increased it, improved it! I am so thankful for how the Lord works … He is a GOOD God, patient and His lovingkindness endures forever! Another thing this removal of man-made dots in order to Scriptural points of reference has done – it has humbled me. Again, a very good thing!
Lew said:
What really helped me in seeing the man-made dots versus the God-made dots were some very simple questions… they mostly sounded like, “is that what the Bible says?” Peeling off the man-made dots has been a continuous process, some of them were made by me, some were made by others, I am not sure which is harder to shed. Either way, it has always been a blessing to shed them. I was thinking about this post (and the last in this series) and started to wonder what we should do about God-made dots that are not recognized as dots at all.
Aussie John said:
Sometimes, when we can see the artifice behind some dots, we have to take risks, such as challenging the status quo by asking questions. The risk is that some, who are your brethren, will have no answers, and walk away from you because you questioned what they traditionally hold as sacred(Sabbath keeping, tithing, etc.)Being part of a traditional scene, trying to keep the peace, I wasted many valuable years by not asking the questions raised by my study of Scripture.
Bryan said:
We walk by sight rather than by faith or by the Spirit all too often. We must live by the Spirit in the every day (in between the dots) and do so wholeheartedly. We must listen to God’s voice. He is speaking always, through all we experience, and we must grow in our ability to hear. Let him who has ears to hear…This should not be feared or explained away as too subjective, emotional, overwhelming or crazy. We must look to God in everything in life. Managing through all of our details is not too big for God, and I am glad He can do it given my current place in life.
Kat (Elder’s Wife) said:
In our “fast food” world, it has become harder and harder to wait for anything, hasn’t it? Somehow, I think that God should jump to answer my questions or provide for my needs…NOW! I forget that He isn’t there to provide room service, and He’s not a reference desk. He’s the God of the universe, and He desires an ongoing relationship, not a tip for services rendered. I do find that reading His Word with a mind that is open to His voice is often the way God speaks to me…but He’s also used a full-page ad on the back cover of a magazine.
Bryan said:
It seems God’s ability to speak through all of our circumstances and lives is unlimited. He is God. I think we often fail to hear Him because we rely on our own understanding (Prov 3:5-6), we aren’t good as resisting the Enemy (James 4:7), we often have unconfessed sin in our lives (Psalm 66:18, Isa. 59:1-2), and we, as Kat points out, are impatient. We don’t want to just be still before God and wait to hear. But, as His sheep (notice it isn’t limited to just the mature or beautiful sheep), we are all able to hear His voice. John 10:27.
Won’t you pull a chair up to the table, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and add your voice to this discussion?
“Connecting the Dots” Series:
Blurring the dots…
In a previous post called “Connecting the dots…“, I suggested that Scripture gives us certain points of reference, but does not always draw a complete picture as to how we should live, or perhaps even what we should believe. Similarly, in the post “Adding more dots…“, I suggested that we should make a distinction between Scriptural points of reference and man-made points of reference that we often find in creeds, confessions, and systems of theology. These two posts build a foundation in order to answer the question, “How do we live between the dots?” I answered this question in the post “Living between the dots…” We live between the dots just as we live near the dots, by living in the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
While I have already discussed the differences between scriptural points of reference (“dots”) and man-made points of reference, it is important to recognize the significance of the distinction. At any time in our lives, there are many voices screaming at us – different voices that want us to follow different paths. There are voices of Scripture, but there are also voices of tradition, experience, reason, friends, enemies, and, of course, spirits – both the Holy Spirit and evil spirits. And, we can’t forget what is perhaps the loudest voice of all: our own human nature. It is this natural human voice that tells us that we can do it, we can understand it, we need to be efficient and practical, we need to control things, we need to be right, we need to tell other people how to do things…
Which voice will we respond to as we live “between the dots”? The difference in listening to the voice of God over and against all other voices is not simply a matter of making a good choice. It is a matter of authority. Jesus said that His sheep hear his voice. Thus, when there are multiple voices screaming at us, we know that we can hear the voice of Jesus (assuming that Jesus is correct, and I do assume this). We know that Jesus is speaking and we can hear Him speaking… but, we can hear the other voices also, and perhaps their answers sound better, more natural, more practical, more pleasing…
So, at times, the dots seem to blur because of these various voices. As I said previously, there are both scriptural dots and man-made dots. But, this is not the only way that the dots are blurred. Those voices that are not God’s voices can also blur the dots. The point that we often miss (that is, the point that I often miss) is that the other voices – those voices that are not God’s voice – often sound better to us than God’s voice. Thus, it takes an active – not passive – perspective on our part to differentiate between God’s voice and all other voices.
For example, the children of Israel often looked for answers in the surrounding nations without considering what God was telling them through His Spirit:
“Ah, stubborn children,” declares the LORD, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation.” (Isaiah 30:1-3 ESV)
In this case, the Israelites did not listen to God’s voice, but instead listened to other, more practical, voices. They went with the strength of Egypt – which they could see – instead of the strength of God – which was spiritual, but just as real.
Even Paul heard the voice of his own human nature. But, with Paul, there was a difference. He refused to follow that voice and instead followed the voice of God, even though God’s plan was contrary to Paul’s own plan:
And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:7-10 ESV)
Paul wanted to go to Bithynia, just as he had previously wanted to go to Asia (Acts 16:6). But, instead, he followed the Spirit as He led Paul to Macedonia.
Sometimes, the dots become blurred. It becomes difficult to tell the difference between scriptural points of reference and man-made points of reference. It becomes difficult to hear the voice of God over the other voices, including our own human voice. When the dots become blurred, this is the time to focus even more on the voice of God and living by the Spirit of God. This is when we should recognize that the practical, efficient, traditional, normal, expedient, logical, or obvious path may not be the path on which God is leading us. What are going to do? Are we going to following God and His Spirit, or not? Are we going to usurp God’s authority and His rightful claim on our lives or are we going to listen to His voice and surrender to His will? And, if we cannot hear His voice, or if we cannot differentiate His voice from other voices, are we willing wait on God?
In this context, the familiar words of this Scripture takes on even more meaning:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)
Can we trust the Lord to lead us between the dots and near the dots? Can we lean on Him when His way differs from what human nature tells us to do? Do we believe that He will lead us on the straight path, even if it looks crooked from our vantage point?
Have there ever been times when the dots have become blurred in your life? What happened when you moved ahead without waiting to hear God’s voice? What happened when you waited for Him and obeyed His voice?
“Connecting the Dots” Series:
Living between the dots…
In a previous post called “Connecting the dots…“, I suggested that Scripture gives us certain points of reference, but does not always draw a complete picture as to how we should live, or perhaps even what we should believe. Similarly, in the post “Adding more dots…“, I suggested that we should make a distinction between Scriptural points of reference and man-made points of reference that we often find in creeds, confessions, and systems of theology. These two posts build a foundation in order to answer the question, “How do we live between the dots?”
There will always be circumstances that Scripture does not cover. We will often make decisions about which Scripture does not tell us what to do. What do we do in these situations? How do we live between the dots?
Let’s begin by recognizing that we are not the first generation of God’s people to deal with this problem. In fact, all of God’s people have dealt with this. Because of this, we should find instructions in Scripture as well as examples in Scripture concerning how to deal with issues that are not covered by Scripture itself. What do we find?
There are many passages of Scriptures that we could examine. I’ll touch on a few that seem to relate to this issue. For example, Jesus told his followers that they would be forced to give account of their actions and words before earthly readers. However, Jesus did not tell them to quote Scripture. Instead, He told them to rely on the Spirit:
Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:16-20 ESV)
Similarly, when Paul was was writing to the Corinthians, he did not tell them to trust their reason and their ability to rationalize and to extrapolate the scriptural points of reference. He told them that their wisdom would come from a different source:
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” – these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:6-16 ESV)
In this passage, having the “mind of Christ” is not related to our own ability to process thoughts, but upon our reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Unfortunately, we tend to think of the Spirit as only convicting us where Scripture speaks, or only teaching us what Scripture says. However, according to these passages and others, we should walk with the Spirit especially in those places where Scripture is silent – that is, “between the dots”. Thus the Spirit is a very real and very present manifestation of God in the lives of believers.
Abiding in Christ (John 15:1-13) is abiding in the Spirit. Walking with God (Gen 5:22-24; 6:8-9) is walking with the Spirit. Loving God (Matt 22:37) is loving the Spirit. Allowing the words of Christ to dwell in you (Col 3:16) is allowing the words of the Spirit to dwell in you. Listening to the voice of the Shepherd (John 10:1-4) is listening to the voice of the Spirit.
We should live “between the dots” – that is, between the points of reference that we find in Scripture – by living in the Spirit and following Him. The Spirit may use Scripture (which He often does) and He may also use reason, experience, feelings, visions, dreams, other people. But, in all of these it is the voice of the Spirit (the voice of God) that we follow, whether He leads us near the points of reference we find in Scripture, or in the spaces between the dots.
And, we should follow humbly – that is, in humility with regard to God, and in humility with regards to others. Why? Because as one blogger said recently:
In the end we have to pray for and seek God’s guidance and help. God is a God of grace and mercy. He will lead us on as we seek to follow. Our following certainly is not infallible, though his leading is. (Ted at “Jesus community” in “we don’t understand it all“)
The one we follow is infallible. However, our hearing and our following is far from infallible. In fact, if at any point we actually find ourselves hearing Him and following Him, we recognize that this occurs wholly by His grace, mercy, and power – and this includes hearing Him and following Him within scriptural points of reference.
And, yet, in spite of the fact that we sometimes do not hear, and in spite of the fact that we sometimes do not follow, the Spirit continues to speak and He continues to call and He continues to lead. At any moment, He is ready to reveal His will to us – even when we are living “between the dots”.
Living by the Spirit is not mystical or ehtereal or idealistic or eschatological. Instead, living by the Spirit is a current reality for those who are in Christ. According to Paul, living by the Spirit affects your conduct: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16 ESV) According to John, living by the Spirit is a confirmation of our salvation: “By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” (1 John 4:13 ESV) According to Luke, living by the Spirit changes our directions and our locations: “Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem.” (Acts 19:21 ESV) Notice the real, palpable, manifest evidences of living by the Spirit in this important passage:
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:9-14 ESV)
These are not theological statements to be written in a creed, confession, or system and repeated as ritual. Instead, they are about life and conduct and thought. We are different because the Spirit dwells within us. Because the Spirit dwells within us we have life – real life. This is the life that we live by the Spirit “between the dots”.
So, as I end this post about “living between the dots” by the power and presence of the Spirit of God, I should point out (as I have suggested above) that we should also live “within the dots” by the power and the presence of the Spirit of God. It is the Spirit who reveals His truth and His will to us, whether that truth and will is recorded in Scripture or not. How do we live between the dots? By the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit. How do we live near the dots? By the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
How has the Spirit guided you “between the dots”? What methods do God use to communicate His truth and His will to you when you living outside the points of reference provided by Scripture? How do you rely on the Spirit even when you are living within the “dots” of Scripture?
“Connecting the Dots” Series: