Walking the talk, Part 4
This week, as we continue the study of Ephesians, we have another idiom to consider: "Walk the talk." This means that as we find an intersection "when the rubber meets the road," we have to step up and follow through with our actions. We have to "walk the talk."
In chapter five of Ephesians, Paul asks us to be "followers of God, as dear children" (Eph 5:1). He outlines for us what this means by teaching us what we have to do. We have to change our thoughts and ways. We have to do better, be better. We have to act as God's child, do the right things, and clean up our act, if need be.
Specifically, Paul teaches us to be true followers of God. He lays it on the line and tells us we have to give up anything that is not good in our lives. We can't covet or commit adultery, or stain our character with dishonesty, hatred, or even fear. We can't boast or talk foolishly or speak unwisely. He tells us that children of obedience are pure in heart and life, and never bow down to pagan idols, -- whether the gods of his Rome, or the gods of today, such as money, material possessions, or greed. Those who do bow down to other gods, and seek them out to worship them, don't have any inheritance in the "kingdom of Christ and of God" (Ephesians 5:5).
Paul warns us, too, not to let anyone deceive us or lead us astray. Following along in the common culture, without thinking and separating ourselves from it, only leads to disobedience. This disobedience is darkness within, but as followers of Christ and of God, we are children of light! "Children of disobedience" are unfruitful, talk in secret and do evil in secret. But children of light "walk as children of light" (Eph 5:8). They are successful fruitful, in their spiritual endeavors.
If we find darkness in ourselves, what are we to do? According to Paul, we are to put off any fellowship with that darkness. If we're fearful, we can turn to God, divine Love, and gain trust in Him. If we're angry, we can ask God to show us how to forgive. Prayer in Christian Science is designed to destroy all that is false. It is designed to awaken us to the light of Christ, Truth. Only then can we walk the talk most effectively. Wisdom, kindness, and forgiveness reign within us, rather than stupidity, unkindness, and unforgiveness. This spiritual awakening shows us God's will, so we may walk in His path, under His divine will. This walk fills us with the spirit of God, the life and love that Christ Jesus practiced.
Paul helps us along this path when he teaches us how to overcome darkness and evil and replace them with the light of Christ and Truth. He recommends "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord" (Eph 5:19). He admonishes us to give gratitude for all good things, because all good comes from God, who is good. And he urges us to be humble.
Ephesians chapter five also offers advice from Paul that is challenged in today's world. It's the well-known phrase "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord" (Eph 5:22). Many have taken this literally and feel the man is the spiritual head of the household, based solely on his gender. This may lead to the wife being fearful of her husband or lead to a blind obedience. When either spouse walks about talking big, feeling big, or acting big, it's nothing more than egotism, which is not condoned by Paul. Rather, obedience through the love of Christ is the model we each can follow. This type of obedience listens for God's directing. It guides us and protects us. And this makes us want to obey God even more. When our motive is to glorify God and not ourselves we learn how to "walk the talk."
An even deeper look at verses 21-31 reveals Paul speaking of Christ as the head of the household, - Christ is the head of thought or consciousness. While the analogy is to a marriage, Paul is showing us that we all must be in submission to Christ, Truth.
What is Christ, Truth? Mrs. Eddy, the Founder of Christian Science tells us, "...Christ, Truth, is indeed the way of salvation from all that worketh or maketh a lie" ('01 28:21-23). Submitting to Christ, Truth shows us our salvation, which is God-given. It overcomes self-will, self-love, and impurity. It glorifies unity with God, good, and purifies thought. It demonstrates man as unblemished, cherished, and nourished by Truth, God.
The Christ is the man of God's creating. It is man made in His image and likeness. It's the pure, spiritual selfhood, undimmed by materiality. It is the light of Truth that leads us on toward a higher, more scientific awareness of our innate God-given perfection and origin.
Learning to submit to this spiritual sense of Christ, man, we are able to walk the talk. We are able to practice true, healing Christianity, just as our Master, Christ Jesus.
The whole of Ephesians is truly about one's relationship to church, to other Christians, and how to be Christian. And we can't truly be Christians unless we understand Christ, Truth, the power of God and our relationship to God, good. At the apex of Paul's discourse in chapter five, it seems only natural that he brings home the point that the church body, as well as the individual, is in submission to Christ, as defined by Mrs. Eddy: "Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness" (SH 332:9-11). As we learn to listen for and hear this divine message, which is within each of us, we find the Christ speaking to us, right within our own thought, and we find obedience to this divine message is natural and empowering.
Again, just prior to the end of this chapter, Paul makes this statement, "This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Eph 5:32). What is this great mystery but the spiritual understanding of God and man's relationship! It is the embracing of the divine idea that the church body is in submission to Christ, Truth. In this relationship, we learn to love the church as we love ourselves; and the church learns to love its followers as it loves itself. "Love one another" (John 15:17), is Christ Jesus' eternal admonition to his followers.
So, this week, let's practice "walking the talk" together!
