nerraw20

Its was offensive and poor taste which accentuated the difference between the rich and the slaves. We don't want to make it a rule on how to dress. People should be thoughtful on how it could affect others. If there is a problem someone needs to inform the person in a loving way. They may not realise how their dress could cause conflict.

The problem was that they were worshiping only in appearance. Thier hearts were distracted. God recieves no honor and does't listen to this kind of worship. So really, when some atheists say that prayer doesn't work, sometimes it doesn't. In Psalms it says, "if we regard iniquity in our hearts He doesn't here our prayers." Praying with a wrong heart is a waste of time.

To show that salvation was completely dependant upon the actions of Christ, not any religious activities or affiliation. Christ was the mediator in that He did what was neede to release us from the sentence of Gods wrath. He was the ransom because He paid the full price of release with His own life.

It seemes that they were not seeing past thier own little group. This had been holding back the Ephesians from reaching out to the Gentiles.

From this doxology we learn that God is eternal, invisble, immortal, king, and wise. We learn that true praise honors and glorifies Christ the king. A doxology causes the speaker to focus on God. Anytime that one is focused on God in humble praise they will be lifted up.

I believe Paul was showing the proper use of the law in showing us our need for mercy, by using his own life as an example. The law is not supposed to cause pride because of our knowledge of it. But to humble us by having the correct view of ourselves before a Holy God. The purpose of the letter seems to be to humble its listeners and get them to focus on Gods grace.

The results of false doctrine in the church was pride which fueled disputes. Doctrinal controversy hurts the spirit of the church by causing divisions and promoting arogance. False doctrine does not teach the word of God which is the catalyst for faith. Therefore you you have no maturing of faith. The church does not represent Christ in His purity of love, instead they see chaos and imaturity. This makes the world to be quite content to be on the outside.