Commentary on "Social Support: The Tie That Binds"

STEVE PITCHER

 

Day 4: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - Unity in Redemption

 

Today’s lesson is titled "Unity in Redemption" and mentions the breaking down of barriers between the members of the body of Christ.

We are asked to read Ephesians 4:1-16 and identify how we should relate to one another. This is a great passage about achieving unity in the faith.

The lesson author then begins another discussion about the importance of social interaction and the associated health benefits. On page 154 of the Teacher’s Quarterly it is stated:

When we interact socially and helpfully with others, it improves health.

Ephesians 4:1-16 has absolutely nothing to do with the issues of physical, mental or emotional health of the individual. The passage is specifically speaking about the “one Lord, one faith [and] one baptism” (Eph. 4:5) that unifies all the members of the Church. This is simply another example of incorrect understanding of a passage of Scripture. Let us not be guilty of incorrectly handling the word of God.

Read Ephesians 4:1-16 and discuss the importance of the unity of the faith and the importance of performing one’s responsibilities in the body of Christ properly for the building up of the body in love (Eph. 4:16.)

At the end of today’s lesson three questions are asked. One of these is similar to a question asked in the first lesson for the week. The question is asked:

How much death to self will it take to be more involved?

As pointed out on the lesson for Sabbath afternoon, we must understand that the Bible never asks for a partial or somehow qualified death to self. Jesus has asked us to follow him. When we are preoccupied with the concerns of this world, of whether we will have enough food, clothing or shelter, or about storing up pensions rather than heavenly treasure, our ability to function as members of the body of Christ is compromised. Of course, all Christians struggle with these issues in some way at various times. Yet we must put these earthly, physical and temporal issues and desires to death daily.

To ask “how much death to self will it take” is to miss the point of death to self. Death is like pregnancy. A woman cannot be “somewhat” pregnant. Either she is pregnant or she is not. Likewise we cannot be “somewhat” dead to self. Either we are or we are not.

We put to death the temporal or physical distractions in our lives by surrendering them to the Lord Jesus and trusting His promises to provide all that we need.

 

Summary

1. Interpersonal interaction is good and can have positive health benefits. The more important benefits for Christians in social interaction is the building up of the body of Christ.
2. Ephesians 4:1-16 does not contain any teaching about the health of our physical bodies. It is specifically addressing unity in the Lord, faith and baptism that we all share as members of the body of Christ.
3. We cannot be “somewhat” dead to self anymore than a woman can be “somewhat” pregnant. We are either dead to self or we are not. This is a daily struggle for Christians that we will deal with as long as we live in these mortal bodies.
4. We die to self by trusting God's promises instead of worrying about our lives.

 

GO TO DAY 5

 

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