First, Get a Lawyer
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, Ephesians 4:1 NASB
Entreat – What’s the first thing Paul says when it comes to walking in a way that honors the Lord? Get a lawyer! At least that’s how we could translate this verse in today’s street vernacular. The very first words of this verse are not “I therefore.” The first word is parakalo, “entreat, urge, call alongside, beseech.” And, of course, this word is tied directly to the role of the Spirit, the parakaleo, the One called alongside, the advocate, God’s personal attorney sent to help us.
Paul is about to instruct his readers in the art of walking worthy of Yeshua. But he doesn’t start with exhortations to keep rules of conduct. He doesn’t start with church membership or baptism or discipleship training. He starts with the Spirit. When he puts the word parakalo in the first position in this sentence, it is as if he put double exclamation points behind this word. Paul is begging you to open your life to the Spirit’s gentle whispers. Listen to what the heavenly lawyer tells you. His advice is absolutely true.
More than any other message, the Parakaleo brings comfort. In fact, one of the four principal meanings of parakaleo is comforting (the others are calling, beseeching and encouraging). This shouldn’t be a surprise. Exodus 34:6 tells us that YHWH is first a God of compassion. “Comfort, comfort, yea my people” is an echo that sounds through the ages since Isaiah. God loves us. He is brokenhearted when we suffer as a result of unworthy steps, for that is what they are. When we falter, when we stop walking the path of His instruction, when we cause our own disruption in relationship with Him, God suffers. And so do we. That’s why the Spirit of comfort is so critical. This heavenly lawyer not only shows us where we have made the wrong choices, He directs us back to the path of righteousness while holding our hands.
We are often in need of the Spirit. Why? Because we are often beside ourselves, looking at the path we should have taken and wondering why we have been so blind to our own disobedience. We stand on the edge of the detour, longing to get back to the royal road, afraid that this time we have completely lost our way. “Comfort, comfort yea, my people” comes the soothing sound of His voice. If you are going to walk worthily, you must employ the services of the Spirit. To think you can do it with only the words of the Book is foolishness. This is about relationship, not regulation. Do you need the Book? Absolutely. The Book sets out the course of daily practice so that some acts become habits. The Book explains why we do what we do and how we are to do it. Would you try to repair a racing engine without an instruction manual? But in the end, the Book leads us to the designer and the designer wants to engage us in fellowship. We do in order to be. And parakaleo introduces being with Him. Struggling today? OK, so hire the lawyer – and listen.
Topical Index: Ephesians 4:1, entreat, parakaleo, Spirit, Exodus 34:6
As is so often the case, just what I needed to remember. Thank you.
I love this one.
How true and Ephesians 4:1-16 really puts the emphasis on the purpose of the Need For HOLY SPIRIT no only to COMFORT but also to LEAD US INTO ALL THE “”RHEMA”” OF THE BOOK.!!!
Okay. This is going to sound really bad, but I think that is what this forum is for. I love this teaching/word; however, at the same time is frustrates me. I have been taught so much about the Holy Spirit that I struggle with knowing how to employ Him. I have gone by feelings, impressions, thoughts, trying hard. Is that You Yah, I ask, or just me thinking. Seriously, how does one employ the Ruach haKodesh in order to follow the book? Do you just ask and then things happen? Sorry, but I really struggle with this – not meaning to be difficult. I also struggle with “knowing” YHVH as was just recently talked about. I have so long emplored him for things and tried to obey; seeking His face, employing the Ruach is a difficult concept for me to grasp. Anyone else? Any help/encouragement out there? Figure it doesnt hurt to ask. Not looking for chastisement, just enlightenment. Shalom.
Here’s the biggest issue for most of us. In the Greek world, the individual is the final arbiter to truth. Greek epistemology is based on the idea that REASON can bring us to enlightenment. Consider Kant’s Religion by Reason Alone as an example. That means most of us do not have a living, learning community that acts as a trusted guide. The church does not fill this role, especially for Protestants, because we still hold on to the individual epistemology in the church – personal salvation, personal relationship, personal devotional expression, personal worship – all of these push us outside the scope of trusted community. But notice the Hebraic view. Community and tradition and the HISTORY of the text over centuries is the touchstone for proper exegesis. Where do you find that in the contemporary church?
You are not alone in this frustration, but I wouldn’t be looking for answers inside the modern Protestant faith.
“I wouldn’t be looking for answers inside the modern Protestant faith.”
My father was a Methodist and my mother was agnostic
I was a Catholic as a child, but could never understand why the Son of God was a Jew
When neither Catholics nor Protestants were Jews
The first time I read the Bible from end to end, I realized that Jesus was not a Christian
Yeshua, like John and Paul, worshiped the Jewish God Yahweh
To read the Bible and say Jesus was a Christian
Would be like reading Hamlet and claiming that he died a Hindu
There is simply no evidence in the text for that interpretation
“I struggle with knowing how to employ Him.”
Hi Lori,
I think knowing how to employ Him is the easy part
It is actually the employment process that is difficult
It takes a lot of concentration in the first place
Then we have to followup and act accordingly
One way to start is by saying the Lord’s Prayer
Then by really focusing on the meaning of each word
The Lord’s Prayer
King James Version (KJV)
These are the words from the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, taken from the King James Bible
9 Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
(King James Version – 1611)
My personal version:
Our Father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth
As it is in heaven
Give us this day
Our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil
Amen
For me trespass means off my path conflicting with self and others
Staying on track is the goal
Lori, I think the answer is in listening. In my spiritual life, I have found the Holy Spirit at work in my life in many ways. I typically experience it as a gentle voice of idea, suggestion, encouragement, insight, chastisement or direction. I believe I can tell because it comes from outside myself, speaking in or to my mind. It challenges me to do what is right, encourages me in the way I should go and often shows me glimpses of who & what I should or can be. My part is to listen, obey and follow His voice. I hope this helps.
I believe I can tell because it comes from outside myself, speaking in or to my mind.
I never really thought about this before. This is very helpful and I think may help me discern between the Ruach and just me thinking.
My NASB says “implore” not “entreat” in Eph 4:1, which still carries the same meaning.
Thanks to all. This is helpful. I do think I try to move too quickly through life doing more talking than listening. Shalom
And not only do we have an Advocate, ONE who pleads our case before the Judge, (Not guilty -your Honor,- the penalty of Death has been Paid-in-full by Another) but we also have a Teacher and a Guide who lives within the heart of every blood-bought, twice-born believer!
~ But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—(the Ruach HaKodesh) He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you ~ (John 14.26)
And do we (at least I do) ever “need” re-minding!! So many things I’ve learned but then turned right around and have (conveniently?) forgotten ! – But praises to God the Father, for giving us the blessed Holy Spirit to gladden and to guide and to guard us from walking in slippery places and guarding our minds, our thoughts, our will and emotions from straying from the straight and narrow path our Savior has laid out and does lay out daily for each of His own.
I love this statement: “we must employ the services of the Spirit” – double amen on this!! For our Savior (Himself) has said: “without Me- you (Mr./M’am) can do nothing!” (Zip, squat, nada, zero with the edges trimmed off!)
So, starting out of the gate and into a brand-new year, allow me to proclaim this day and to all- my declaration of God-dependence. I dare not take a step or breath a breath or think a thought “without Him!” We are also “entreated” in God’s own Word to ~ bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ! ~ Is this even possible? or has God actually “commanded” us to do something that cannot be done? – I have always heard- “where God guides, God provides!” It is always my free choice though to hear and to obey, but what are the consequences of choosing to obey Him?
Thanks, Skip! A great word to start the year with.
What do you mean with “the Spirit of comfort being critical”? Is it critical in the sense of having critics or did you mean that the Ruach haKodesh is “crucial”?
Critical as in “this is a critical need” – crucial, necessity, of utmost importance
Skip, thanks for the reminder. I have to add. I am asking not only for the way, “this heavenly lawyer not only shows us where we have made the wrong choices, He directs us back to the path of righteousness while holding our hands,” but for the why that I continue to make the wrong choices. I have a reason, though skewed, damaged, hurt, that I do so. I need so desperately for the Holy Spirit to take me further back onto the path and show me the hurt that needs healing. The difficult part is for me to want to go there, stay there for the healing, and not run back on the rutted road of familiarism. I don’t seem to be able to not distract myself and circumvent the healing. Thus, the trap of seemingly hopeless wandering.
The AA people will tell you that you can spend a lifetime trying to figure out where you went wrong. But it doesn’t matter much. What matters is not how you got into the ditch but how to get OUT of the ditch.
Amen!!!!!!! We’ve all been in ditches. Some have bigger ones than others but we all have had them. For me, God never miraculously pulled me out. He seems to make me do the work and if I don’t I keep getting more of the same. He’s patient. He’ll wait a life time. I always heard if you can do something for 30 days then you are on your way.
I’ve pulled myself out of some ruts only to run back to them almost immediately. Sometimes I need my believing friends to hold my arms up like Aaron and Hur until I get passed and make a break through. One of the fruits of the spirit is self control. I think that is one of the hardest for every believer. It might be helpful for Diane to be around overcomers so she can be inspired and glean from them how they became victorious over their situation.
Excellent advice and an apt description of most of us. We excuse our behavior more often than we would like to admit. We need others not only to lift us up but to protect us from falling down. AA understand this. The church certainly should, but when we deal with the shame associated with our sins, far too often the needed anonymity isn’t part of the church support. Since we even hide from God in some sins, we are not likely to share those openly with people who can identify us. True community doesn’t require anonymity, but it does require trustworthiness.
Hmmmm. Thanks!