Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, institutes a new way of living in the home. We see that it’s not just our personal lives that change when we become believers, but following Jesus changes every part of our lives. First-century familial codes set up the basis for the structure of society as a whole. Paul knew the power of these codes to change the culture of an entire city, so he instituted a new code for believers knowing that it had the power to change the entire world.
Many of us can understand the tension that erupts when we become a believer, while the rest of our lives stay the same. At first, it may not be too hard to keep hanging out with those friends, continue in your role at home, or interact the same at work, but eventually you will find it to be more and more difficult as you realize just how different you are as a result of Jesus. You inevitably start to see things differently. Your eyes are opened to the difference between light and dark, life and death. While you may try to keep your faith personal, Jesus was never meant to be kept to ourselves.
This doesn’t mean that we should leave all non-Christian circles and flee to the safety of believers. Again, Jesus was never meant to be kept to ourselves. When we become followers of Jesus, we must ask ourselves how we can bring Jesus into our established lives. How can you bring Jesus to your unbelieving friends that you regularly spend time with? Into your unbelieving home? Into your school or place of work? How does God want to use you in the places where he has put you for a specific purpose?
This is the idea that Paul is getting at as he changes the familial code. Instead of leaving behind the culture as a whole, he challenges the believer’s role inside the culture. He lays out a new plan for children, wives, mothers, husbands, fathers, slaves, in which every member would live in such submission to Christ that it would change the home, and thus, the culture around them.
Reflection/Discussion Questions: In what area(s) of your life do you feel the tension between yourself as a believer and unbelievers? How do you typically handle it?
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