The Four Categories of Negative Things That Damage the Church Life (Life-study of Ephesians, Messages 85 and 95)

 

The Four Categories of Negative Things That Damage the Church Life (Life-study of Ephesians, Messages 85 and 95)

Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hatred,

Ephesians 2:15 In his flesh he has abolished the law of commandments and regulations, that he might create in himself one new man, making peace;

Ephesians 4:14 so that we might no longer be like little children, drifting to and fro by the waves, tossed about by the winds of every teaching, which is deceitful and cunning in leading us into a system of error;

Ephesians 4:22 so that we might put off the old self, corrupted by the desires of the deceitful flesh,

Ephesians 5:27 so that he might present himself as a glorious church, without blemish, wrinkle, or any such disease, that she might be holy and spotless. 

Category	Scriptural Basis	Aspect of the Church (New Man / Bride)	Key Points	How It Damages the Church Life	How to Deal with It	Difficulty
1. Ordinances	Eph. 2:14-15	The creation of the new man	Composed of the law of the commandments; related to religion, culture, and human nature	Causes enmity and is the main source of division among Christians; any practice becomes an ordinance when it is imposed or opposed	Abolish and annul. Christ has already abolished them on the cross; they are replaced by the mingling of the Spirit with our spirit	Easiest
2. Doctrines	Eph. 4:14	The growth of the new man (functioning)	The “wind of teaching,” meaning doctrines; even scriptural doctrines are harmful if they draw people away from Christ and the church	Blows people away from the building up of the Body of Christ and gives rise to denominations	Put them aside. Care for the reality of Christ, receive the word as nourishment, and be generous concerning doctrines	Easier
3. The old man	Eph. 4:22	The daily life of the new man	Originates from Adam; created by God but fallen through sin; includes the old way of living	The natural disposition and old manner of living damage the church life	Put off the old man and put on the new man	Harder
4. Spots and wrinkles	Eph. 5:27	The beauty of the bride (presented to Christ)	Spots are related to the natural life; wrinkles are related to oldness	They do not affect the church’s function but greatly diminish her beauty, so she is not beautiful enough in Christ’s eyes	They cannot be abolished or put off; they can only be removed by Christ’s sanctifying, cleansing, nourishing, and cherishing element, through transformation and metabolism	Hardest

 

*Supplementary Points 

• Order: Paul deals with these four categories in a very orderly manner. For the creation of the new man, rules must be abolished; for the growth of the new man, doctrine must be diminished; for the proper daily life of the new man, the old man must be shed. After dealing with these three things, the difficulty of spots and wrinkles remains. 

• Why are they the most difficult: Spots and wrinkles are subjective, already organized in the organic composition and natural structure of life, so they cannot be abolished or shed. They cannot be removed by external changes or teachings alone, but only by the inner supply of life. 

• The way to practice: Do not correct or adjust others from the outside, but supply them with the elements of Christ's sanctification, purification, nourishment, and care. To prepare to be the Bride is to replace one's own spots and wrinkles with His elements by "eating Christ." 

• Function and beauty: The new man needs function (chapter 4), and the Bride needs beauty (chapter 5). This beauty is a reflection of Christ shining from within us, not our own works. 

• Ultimate Goal: Christ will obtain a church without rules, doctrines, the old self, spots, or wrinkles. Such a church is the bride prepared in Revelation 19, clothed in bright and clean linen.

 

*Please refer to Ephesians Life-Study, Chapter 95: The Beauty of the Bride