.......and finally

Finally is a word very suggestive that much has gone before. The ITV newsreader Trevor McDonald would very often say this prior to sharing the last item on News at Ten and it tended to be a matter of light relief after much bad, disturbing news. When we read the word 'finally' in the same place in three different translations of scripture and when a fourth uses the words 'to conclude'. We can be almost certain that the writer assumes that we have read all that comes before. So often we can take scriptures or pieces of scripture in isolation which can be a very dangerous thing to do. But many people do exactly this and it can so easily lead to imbalance and a skewed understanding. It would be very strange if somebody looked at a letter that they received through the post and only read the last paragraph so why should we accord the letters of St. Paul with any less respect

The piece that I am referring to in this instance is chapter 6 of Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus. The verses from 10 -19 are very important but equally so are all that comes before it. Today I will just focus on the sixth chapter of the letter. Immediately before the ten verses on spiritual warfare are four verses about the relations between parents and children and four further on the attitudes of slaves and masters to each other. Verses 1-3 of the chapter repeat the commandment for a child to obey his Father and Mother and points out that this particular precept has a promise attached to it - that it might go well with you and you will live a long life on the earth. To create a sense of balance verse 4 asks Father's not to provoke their children to exasperation - the amplified translation brings out the importance of tenderness as they train and discipline their children towards Godly living.

Verses 5-8 asks Slaves to obey their masters in a manner that is respectful and worthy and points out that this is also important when their back is turned because when we obey Godly authorities we are doing it unto the Lord whose back is never turned. In common verses 5-9 end with an instruction to the overseer to likewise go about their way with respect pointing out that God is the ultimate mediator and master.

Once these points are made and established (and we can almost imagine Paul taking a breather here) we are then able to tackle the issue of defeating the devil. To be in a place of spiritual victory we need first to be submitted to our God and Saviour. For it is only in Jesus that we have authority and if we do not have respect for earthly authorities that God has put in place then we cannot properly respect God's authority either. Indeed the scripture James 4 v7 'resist the devil and he will flee from you' should never be looked at in isolation from the preceding verse 'submit to God'. For it is only in the name of Jesus that we have any authority. Interestingly these verses are preceded by the words 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble' It is far better to humble ourselves than for God to have to humble us and it is far more pleasant too.