Ephesians 2.19-22 (2)
Pray Psalm 32.1, 2.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Sing Psalm 32.1, 2.
(Hendon: Take My Life and Let It Be)
Blessed are they whose sins the LORD has forgiven by His Word!
Pure their spirits are within; them He charges with no sin;
them He charges with no sin!
Read Ephesians 2.19-22; meditate on the word “member”.
Member of what? What does that entail?
Preparation
1. What does Paul mean by “the household of God”?
2. Who else belongs to this?
Meditation
Paul steps down a bit from his referring to us as saints and citizens in the City of God, but only to help clarify our thinking and understanding.
The parameters are smaller as Paul moves from “citizen” to “member of the household”. The effect of this, on me at least, is to help me think more “locally”, more “near-to-hand”. I may not have duties in every sector of a great city, but I’m a citizen nonetheless. I can more readily identify my duties as a responsible member of the household. I fulfill my “citizenship” by what I contribute to bringing order, beauty, and continuity and consistency to the household, at the same time giving encouragement and support to all those who are with me in the household.
We may be tempted to think of Paul’s use of the word “member” here as it appears in 1 Corinthians 12, in which he refers to us as “members” of the Body of Christ. That, however, is a different word from the one we’re considering here. Our word is pointed at those who live together as a family under the same roof, who share in the work of the household, enjoy fellowship together, encourage one another, in many ways depend on one another, and so forth. The word οἰκεῖοι (oikeioi) suggests intimacy, reliability, reverence for the Head of the household, respect and love for other οἰκεῖοι, and a common purpose.
Tidy, well-kept, hospitable households make for a strong neighborhood, and strong neighborhoods make for a strong city. Think “member of the household” and you will fulfill your obligations as a “citizen” and know the blessings and favor of God as His saint and child.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.16
Paul’s description of being members of God’s household is completely in sync with the Law of God, found in the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20.1-17), which begin with total and complete, wholehearted, love for God, then moves to respect for our family Name (Christ ones), then on to keeping our family’s most holy day special (the Sabbath). After we have that obediently settled, we then move to love and respect within the home of which we are earthly members. Then on to the households we will create as adults. Following that (except for “don’t murder” which is placed after parental love and before spousal love) we have membership rules for how we continue to treat family and then others.
As an aside, the placement of “You shall not murder” is somewhat telling of the rage that can develop when trust is not fostered and hope is blown apart. Unfaithfulness within the home is the ultimate betrayal of person to person. And God knows that murderous hatred can develop when those boundaries are sinfully crossed. Members beware. Love your family first and best.
People long to be members with one another. There is safety and security to be found there.
When, for example, a police officer is killed in the line of duty, the outpouring of love and support from their community is overwhelming. Think of soldiers’ commitment to one another, “No one left behind”. Why do people join clubs, or go to bars “where everybody knows your name”? Because people want to be loved, cared for, and known.
To be a citizen of the Kingdom and to be a member of the household of God would supply all those heartfelt needs and more, if the people of God took this gift—and mandate—seriously.
“Let love be without hypocrisy.
Abhor what is evil.
Cling to what is good.
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,
in honor giving preference to one another;
not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
distributing to the needs of the saints,
given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Be of the same mind toward one another.
Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.
Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Repay no one evil for evil.
Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12.9-18).
Members—where no one is left behind, and everybody knows your name—in Christ Jesus.
Peace, safety, and security on earth, as it is in heaven (Matt. 6.10).
Knowing and sharing “the blessings and favor of God as His saint and child.”
Reflection
1. Who are the people closest to you in your part of God’s household?
2. In what ways does God flow His grace to them through you? How will He do so today?
3. Whom will you encourage today as a member of God’s household?
Those who were formerly profane, and utterly unworthy to associate with godly persons, have been raised to distinguished honor in being admitted to be members of the same community with Abraham, ― with all the holy patriarchs, and prophets, and kings, ― nay, with the angels themselves. To be of the household of God, which is the second comparison, suggests equally exalted views of their present condition. God has admitted them into his own family; for the church is God’s house. John Calvin (1509-1564),Commentary on Ephesians 2.19
Pray Psalm 32.3-9.
Pray for the οἰκεῖοι in your Personal Mission Field, including your family, pastor, and church members—especially those to whom you are close as friends or co-laborers. Pray that the LORD will teach us all how to live for Him
Sing Psalm 32.3-9.
(Hendon: Take My Life and Let It Be)
When in silence I remained, groaning in my sinful pain,
You Your hand upon me lay; all my strength You drained away,
all my strength You drained away.
I confessed my sin to You; You forgave me, ever true!
Let confession’s pleading sound reach You while You may be found,
reach You while You may be found!
When flood waters threaten me, You my hiding place will be.
O’er them I will rise above, buoyed by Your redeeming love,
buoyed by Your redeeming love.
Teach me, LORD, how I should live; sound instruction ever give.
Let me never stubborn be; let Your eye watch over me,
let Your eye watch over me.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we are looking at ways the Law of God applies to our lives. This week our Read Moore podcast continues addressing the question raised by our book, What in Heaven Is Jesus Doing on Earth? This week our Crosfigell teaching letter begins a study of the life of Brigit, a contemporary of Brendan. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
