So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. (Eph 5:17-21)It's an interesting text, actually, because it doesn't seem to go where we'd think it would go. First, there is "Don't be foolish." Sure, okay. What is the opposite of foolish? "Understand what the will of the Lord is." Now, that's something. Don't simply know God's will; understand it. Which puts "foolish" in the category of sinfulness rather than simple error. To us, "foolish" is lacking good sense. To Scripture, it is refusing to understand God's will. The next verse, then, expands on the concept ... in a new direction. Don't get drunk -- that's just excess without reason. No, if you want to avoid being foolish -- want to understand the will of the Lord -- instead be filled with the Spirit. Okay, now we may not have seen that coming, but it makes sense. That word there, "be filled," is in a continuous tense. "Be being filled." It means to cram, to make replete, to fill to overflowing. Don't stop with "have the Holy Spirit" -- "fill 'er up!" Get yourself so stuffed full of the Spirit that there's no room for you. That's not dissipation; that's reasonable excess. What does that look like? It changes how we speak to each other. It includes songs, making melody, always giving thanks for all things.
One more turn on this surprising walk from "foolish" to "understand the will of God." Be subject to one another. "Wait ... what?" You and I may not see it, but Paul saw it as perfectly in line with "understand the will of God." Be subject to one another. In fact, Eph 5:22-6:9 are multiple examples of "be subject to one another from both sides. A wife to a husband and a husband to a wife. A child to parents and a father to his child. A slave to his master and a master to his slave. (All of which requires you understand what "subject" means, and it's not "devalued".) Because, you see, we are called to be humble, to give self up (Php 2:5-8). That is the will of the Lord. It shows itself in behavior and in speech and in attitude -- an attitude of gratitude. Turns out, it's a pretty tall order.
3 comments:
This world is clearly full of influences and influencers--each producing very different outcomes in us; some (like alcohol and narcotics) lead to an excessive, out-of-control existence. As a person who would desire greater truth and Christlikeness, for me to neglect seeking more of the Holy Spirit in my “system”--in favor of some other controlling force--would be foolish indeed. And if someone says to me, “you’re full of it,” I sure want “it” to be the control of the Spirit of God. May I always be living under His influence above all others; as you say, “fill ‘er up!”
Stan, just to give you a laugh this morning: When I read this post’s title yesterday, I said to myself: “Paul Meanders. Who is Paul Meanders?? I don’t know of anyone named Paul Meanders.” :)
I wouldn't expect you to know Paul Meanders. He's the son of Bert and Mabel Meander of the Ohio Meander family. Nice guy.
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