We started yesterday looking at Ephesians 4.20 – 32, which is a short section on how we should live. It begins with introducing a process:

• Let go of the…old self-life, corrupted by sinful and deceitful desires
• Be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you (the purpose of time with God in the Word!)
• Be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within

Then some specifics follow. I’m struck by how many of them don’t just give a negative – a “thou shalt not” – but also a positive:

• Don’t lie – speak truth (verse 25)
• Don’t steal – give (verse 28)
• Don’t be hurtful – encourage (verse 29)
• Don’t be bitter – be kind (verses 31, 32)

Today, let’s consider verse 25:

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. (Ephesians 4.25, ESV)

This is a tough one, isn’t it? We’re told not to use ugly or hurtful speech in verse 29, but in verse 25, we’re supposed to tell the truth! Some of are good at one or the other. The old Navigators were good at truth telling: “Here’s what’s wrong with you!” But they didn’t always do it in an encouraging way. But verse 25 doesn’t give us the alternative to lie to people and tell them everything is fine if it’s not. You can’t teach mathematics that way, for example.

Perhaps the key is “for we are members one of another.” If we’re members of, say, the same team or the same musical ensemble, we need to be able to tell each other the truth about how to make corrections for the good of the unit.

I’d appreciate some comments on this one! How does it work out?

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace AND truth. (John 1.14, NKJV, emphasis mine)

Speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head–Christ. (Ephesians 4.15, NKJV)

Ephesians chapter 4.20 – 32 is a wonderful section on how believers are supposed to live. Here’s how it starts:

If you have really experienced the Anointed One, and heard his truth, it will be seen in your life; for we know that the ultimate reality is embodied in Jesus! And he has taught you to let go of the lifestyle of the ancient man, the old self-life, which was corrupted by sinful and deceitful desires that spring from delusions. Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you. And to be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within as your new life and live in union with him! For God has re-created you all over again in his perfect righteousness, and you now belong to him in the realm of true holiness. (Ephesians 4.21 – 24, TPT)

The Christian life is not a set of rules – it’s the outflow of a process:

• Let go of the…old self-life, corrupted by sinful and deceitful desires
• Be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you (the purpose of time with God in the Word!)
• Be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within

This picture looks a little like an end-of-the-day process:

• Take off your dirty clothes
• Take a shower
• Put on clean clothes

Tomorrow we’ll begin to explore some of the specifics the rest of the passage lists. But for now, let’s think transformation not trying.

The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Romans 13.12 – 14, ESV)

Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about! (Romans 13.14, MSG)

The Southern Baptists recently completed their national gathering in Nashville, and judging from news reports before and after, it was somewhat contentious. Among the issues were how to handle sexual abuse accusations and race relations. Without getting into details of things I know very little about, I just want to comment on why some people were advocating a “just get back to the gospel” approach. One official was quoted as saying:

This whole thing should be seen for what it is. It is a satanic scheme to completely distract us from evangelism. – Augie Boto, former general counsel to the Executive Committee, 2019

No one in the Bible was more mission-oriented than Nehemiah. He went to Jerusalem, mobilized the leaders and the people, and rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem in 52 days! (If you’re not familiar with that story, I recommend you read Nehemiah chapters 1 – 6.) They began construction in chapter 3. There were attempts by enemies to derail the mission in chapter 4 and again in the first part of chapter 6. Nehemiah would have none of it.

HOWEVER, chapter 5 tells a different story:

Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.” There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” … Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves,… I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.”And I held a great assembly against them…(Nehemiah 5.1 – 7, ESV)

Nehemiah heard the complaints of the poor against their fellow countrymen who were oppressing them. He did NOT say, “This should be seen for what it is. It is a satanic scheme to completely distract us from building the wall.” No! He heard their cry, and he stopped the wall building. (You can’t build a wall while you are holding a great assembly to deal with an urgent problem.)

I’m glad the Southern Baptists elected a president who is both missional AND is willing to address racism and sexual abuse. Here’s a small snippet of what he said in an interview with World Magazine:

We have an issue we must deal with. Let’s say I’m driving down the highway and my tire blows out. What am I gonna do? Fix the tire. This is a corrective action that has been long due. And I pray it will be handled well, and I ask others to pray for that too. – Ed Litton, newly elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention

When James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. (Galatians 2.9, 10, ESV)

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4.16 – 21, ESV)

I close off our little series of music-inspired blogs with a personal note (no pun intended!). Saturday, June 19, June and I hosted a little house concert featuring piano music by June and her duet partner, Lynn Barber. Here’s the opener, Slavonic Dance, Opus 72, No. 2, by Dvorak (click the picture):

We invited four friends and two sets of neighbors for our share of the audience. It proved to be an excellent event all around. The music was good, and people enjoyed not only hearing the music but also being together. It’s the first gathering we’ve had with any neighbors since Christmas 2019 with COVID shutting everything down in March 2020.

People need to be with people, and June and I want to be intentional about getting people together. Also, music is a gift from God – part of his ongoing creativity in the world.

…the morning stars sang in chorus and all the angels shouted praise… (Job 38.7, MSG)

³  Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
⁴  Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
⁵  Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
⁶  Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! (Psalm 150.3 – 6, ESV)

The second [most important command] is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12.31, ESV)

Sticking with our music theme (and our memorial service theme), here’s a song from a service I played on June 16. My friend Jim McKelvey, an outstanding singer, sang “Jesus Led Me All the Way,” written in 1954 by John W. Peterson. I don’t think I’ve heard since I played it for a tenor back in high school. I didn’t think of it then, but when it surfaced this time, I thought, “Wow. What a perfect song for a memorial service!” Here’s part of it:

Some day life’s journey will be o’er.
And I shall reach that distant shore;
I’ll sing while ent’ring heaven’s door,
“Jesus led me all the way.”

Jesus led me all the way,
Led me step by step each day;
I will tell the saints and angels as I lay my burdens down,
“Jesus led me all the way.”

You can see the rest of the words here. Click on our picture to hear Jim sing it – it’s lovely.

Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. (Psalm 25.4, 5, ESV)

Your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30.20, 21, ESV)

Yesterday I posted a link to my daughter Melody’s recording for a wedding of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.” I hope you had a chance to listen…

As long as we’re into music, I really ought to share a song from Rod Cathey’s memorial service. Rod was one of my son David’s choral music conductors at Azusa Pacific University, and I wrote about him on May 2. I mentioned how I blew the Male Chorale’s signature song, “I’m on the Battlefield for my Lord,” at a concert. Rod’s memorial was June 12, and David was able to be there and participate in the pick-up choir. I watched the live stream. It was two hours of remembrances and fabulous music.

Here’s a sample: it’s Rod Cathey’s kids and nieces and nephews singing “Battlefield.” It’s a different arrangement from the one I botched, but it’s worth listening to. The tall fellow on our right is Rod’s son. He’s a music minister in Washington state, I’m told.

The Bible is filled with battles, real and metaphorical, and many of God’s choice servants were warriors. Here’s how the song starts:

I was alone and idle,
I was a sinner too,
I heard a voice from heaven
Say there is work to do,
I took the Master’s hand,
And I joined the Christian band,
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord.

[Refrain]
I am on the battlefield for my Lord,
I’m on the battlefield for my Lord;
And I promised Him that I would serve Him till I die.
I am on the battlefield for my Lord.

Click the picture or this link to hear the song – it not only has a message, I think it’s the kind of music that ought to be played at a Christian funeral!

Now the angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” (Judges 6.11, 12, ESV, emphasis mine)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6.10 – 13, ESV)

Today we wrap up our observations on the life of Elijah – a life which ends with an exciting fiery chariot ride in a whirlwind…

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more. (2 Kings 2.9 – 12, ESV)

I’d like to think that Elijah, looking back on his life, might heartily agree with the sentiments of His Eye Is on the Sparrow:

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Our daughter Melody just recorded this song for our niece Tara’s wedding on June 19. Melody is teaching music in China and because of COVID restrictions, she couldn’t come home this summer as she usually does. Click the picture or the link below the picture to hear the song:

Video of His Eye Is on the Sparrow

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10.29 – 31, ESV)

Even Ahab, who “did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him” received a bit of grace at the end of his life. 1 Kings 21 records how his wife, the infamous Jezebel, stole Naboth’s vineyard for him resulting in a confrontation from our friend Elijah:

Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.”’”…“Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone of his who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat.” (1 Kings 21.17 – 24, ESV)

And yet we have Ahab and the LORD’s remarkable response:

And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.” (1 Kings 21.27 – 29, ESV)

Anyone can and should repent at any time appears to be the lesson.

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. (Joel 2.12, 13, ESV)

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3.19, ESV)

We’ve been following the exciting adventures of Elijah, who, in yesterday’s blog, successfully challenged 450 prophets of the false god Baal as well as challenging God’s people:

If the Lord is God, follow him!

You can read the whole story in 1 Kings 18, including his praying for and receiving rain. Then, interestingly, things go downhill. Ahab’s wife Jezebel, sponsor of the prophets of Baal, threatens Elijah who runs for his life and throws himself a pity party in the desert:

He arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” (1 Kings 19.3, 4, NKJV)

The Lord provided food for Elijah (often the first need for people who are depressed!). Then, in a subsequent conversation we have this exchange:

There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” (1 Kings 19.9, 10, ESV)

(You can read this whole story in 1 Kings 19.) I just want to highlight three lessons learned from Elijah’s bout with fear and discouragement – not an uncommon consequence of strenuous and successful ministry.

• Elijah’s assertions during his pity party were incorrect. “Only I am left.” – Nope. I have 7,000. (See 1 Kings 19.18) As Skip Gray said, “You are number seven thousand and one!”
• God appears to Elijah but not in the spectacular. (See 1 Kings 19.11, 12) God is not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. Just in the gentle whisper…if we are quiet enough to hear it. (Compare Psalm 46.10 – “Be still and know that I am God.”)
• The cure for depression is action. God told Elijah to anoint three people, including his replacement.

And the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat…you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. (1 Kings 19.15, 16, ESV)

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26.41, ESV)

And rescue us every time we face tribulations. (from Luke’s version of the Lord’s prayer, Luke 11.4, TPT)

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. (James 5.17, 18, ESV)

Continuing with the adventures of Elijah, you probably remember the famous confrontation with the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. Please take time to read it if you’re not familiar. It’s great stuff complete with the simple challenge to the Israelites who wanted to call themselves God’s people and worship Baal at the same time:

And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” (1 Kings 18.21, ESV, emphasis mine)

I remember from back in the 70s the great Bible teacher Dr. Howard Hendricks citing a Gallup poll. Gallup, after discovering record numbers of people attending church, believing the Bible to be the word of God, having a “born-again” experience, etc., came to this chilling conclusion after considering other aspects of their lives:

Never before has the gospel made such inroads and yet makes so little difference in how people live. – Gallup poll, cited by Alan Heller (about whom I know nothing)

Elijah’s challenge to Israel holds for us:

If the LORD is God, follow him. (1 Kings 18.21)

Why do you call me “Lord, Lord,” and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great. (Luke 6.46 – 49, ESV)