Enjoying God

Proper 10 July 12th

This morning’s epistle moves us out of 2 Corinthians and into Ephesians. Although these are both amongst the longer epistles they are also books which many people know less about. 2 Corinthians, of course, follows on from 1 Corinthians but this Epistle to the Ephesians is a different beast altogether.

Whilst there are a few bits, here and there, in 2 Corinthians which might have been edited, or even added later most of it seems to be Paul. It also seems to be a letter made up from several letters. Ephesians is different. It is not so rushed. It seems to be one cohesive work and it looks like it is a lot later, perhaps into the 80s or 90s before it is written.

As with all these arguments about who wrote what and when there are two (or many more) sides. Without getting too bogged down in things, there are differences between Paul’s emphases and those in this letter. We have seen before that Paul moves his theological stance as time goes on about family and marriage but still, this is a lot of difference.

In the early texts of this letter, there is actually no mention of Ephesus giving scholars the idea that this was a much more general work, designed to be read in many churches in the region to give a firm idea of the faith and doctrine.

As you read through Ephesians there are some bits which you probably will take issue with. But these first few verses are intended to build up the community, reminding them of the promise which they have been given and the share in the inheritance of the kingdom to which they are called.

There is a sense of mystery and otherness, of the space between heaven and earth which they are called to occupy.

If you are theologically minded you might be tempted to get tangled up in some of the language about being chosen. Try not to for a moment. The writer is clear here that Jesus was before the world began and that the believer is adopted into a family which is to live for the praise of his glory.

The Westminster confession, which was the result of the Puritan government in England in 1646 trying to define sound doctrine, is an odd thing to quote but they asked:

“What is the chief purpose of a human being?” and answered, “To enjoy God forever.”

It is an answer which could have come from a medieval mystic, or a modern day teen. It is a uniting phrase across denominations and nations. Thus it fits well with the tenor of Ephesians who purpose is one of unity. All believers are equal, there is no class or distinction between them and all are intended simply to “enjoy God forever.”

There is a lot of talk in our world about happiness but not so much about joy. The way we define the two things is often very different. Happiness has become almost a product, something which we must strive after, something which occurs when we have the right house and car and job. As such happiness has become difficult to grasp, always seeming one step ahead of us, making us feel we are not good enough when we cannot grab it and hang on to it.

Joy is something quite different. Joy is something which we have without even really realizing it. Think of those moments which you might describe as joyful – sunrises, hugs from loved ones, laughter with friends. Joy sort of sneaks up on us and fills us with radiance from the inside out. Joy is what God calls us to.

Perhaps the really telling thing about joy is that you can be joyful even when you are in a situation which should make you totally miserable. With joy it is as if you have a light inside you which will not be extinguished – yes, sometimes it burns low, sometimes you might be afraid it will go out – but you will always return to its light because you know that is what you are made for, to be a vessel of God given joy because, ultimately, God is to be enjoyed.

This is something which we need to be aware of and which we need to apply to our modern living. Increasingly we are invited to take sides in our lives at just about every turn. Our society seems to be becoming polarized even as we think we are becoming more liberal. From whether we support this political party or that to whether we take Advil or Tylenol the message is clear, those who think differently are stupid, insane of downright evil.

But all of us are made to enjoy God – how can that be?

The Gospel today is hard. It tells the story of the death of John the Baptist. It is randomly violent but it is real. We are told that Herod had backed himself into a corner. Apparently, on his own, he quite liked John and enjoyed what he had to say. But John had powerful enemies in the person of Herod’s wife and with careful planning she brought about John’s execution.

The manipulation of those around her by Herodias is palpable, she sets the play, invites the players and then, literally, goes for the kill. But what about Herod, and even his daughter. We might say that the daughter was simply a pawn in this larger movement but Herod, he could have done something. He could have chosen the greater good. But he didn’t, he chose to save face with the people closest to him rather than follow his gut feeling about John.

Perhaps we are not called to such stark choices but I wonder how often we quell the prophetic voice, the voice which asks us to move our moral or political compass, the voice which as often as not is from the margins. How often do we think to ourselves, well I can’t do that because of my….insert what you like house, family, children, job.

These are real tensions for us, but remember we were all made to enjoy God forever, and forever starts now. How can we live in that joy and communicate that joy. More than that how can we truly belong to God unless we are becoming more and more like God – and unless we believe that other are called to the same.

Freedom, grace, adoption, glory. These are not small things and neither are they given to us in order that we can hold on to them tightly and build ourselves a castle. If we are not becoming more like God and exploring with others the truth that we are all made with one purpose then we may as well go home and lock our doors.

Telling our story, as we have seen many times, is not comfortable and does not play well with some of the things which we might well enjoy. But the consequences of conforming to an economy of divisiveness and hate are devastating, (remember Herod) not only to us but to all God’s people, to all those who are called to an equality of love and worship to enjoy God forever.