In years past I enjoyed listening to gospel quartets singing “On the Jericho Road, There’s room for just two, No more and no less, Just Jesus and you.” The melody and words still often resound in my mind and memory.
However, “just Jesus and you.” Is that a biblically correct statement or thought? I think not. According to the Apostle Paul, God’s purpose is for Christian believers to share life together within a body of interdependent members. “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’” (1 Cor. 12:21).
In Ephesians 4:25-5:2, Paul teaches that the Christian community should be so different and distinctive in character from the world community that the world notices and is attracted. He makes it clear that the difference is not about any outward appearance, but about the way the community lives together in LOVE and readily share that LOVE within the community around them.
Therefore, Paul gives precise directions for living the new transformed life given us in accepting Christ’s salvation and lordship. These involve putting away certain things and putting on new attitudes and behaviors that imitate God’s ways of LOVE in relating to us.
Paul first says, stop lying and “speak truthfully to your neighbor.” Why? “for we are all members of one body.” As Christians, we are connected as sons and daughters in God’s family. What hurts you, hurts me, and vice versa. And all lying, in speech and lifestyle, really does cause deep hurt to others.
And, although we may not speak lies, we may instead speak truth so bluntly and unloving that the other is deeply offended and hurt. Paul makes it noticeably clear in these verses that whenever we speak, love must fully bathe our words and manner. We must always ask ourselves how we can best express truth in the most loving way.
The old children’s verse, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not true. The older we become the more we realize that words do hurt. And hurtful words coupled with hurtful actions are much more painful than “sticks and stones.” The sting of hurtful words and actions can remain with us for years. Paul knew this and said, “you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully, … for we are all members of one body.”
Secondly, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Why? Because this will give the devil a foothold in your life, and he will cause you to damage or destroy the relationship you have with the other person. We know and have seen how holding onto anger becomes a seething bitterness and often breaks out in wrath-filled action toward others.
Thirdly, stop stealing. Why? Because stealing is selfish and sinful. And instead of stealing, Christians “must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” The Christian’s heart is changed and becomes more generous and wanting to add to the life of others, not take or steal from them.
Then Paul places these relational directives under the large canopy of the Holy Spirit and says, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.” Why? Because it is the Holy Spirit that has sealed our redemption. When we express our anger in bitterness, wrath, and undisciplined passion, we are obviously giving the devil a place in our life and grieving the Holy Spirit. Paul does not detail the ways we may be doing this, he simply says, stop it.
In summary Paul says, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
As children of God, we are to imitate Him. God is love, and our whole life, attitude, and actions, should be characterized by love. This means putting others before ourselves, wanting and working for the best in others, being patient and kind, hoping and believing in others. This God-like love is much more than soupy sentimentality.
When Christ was preparing to leave for home, no doubt realizing that the unifying power of His presence would be gone, He gave His followers the formula for sticking together. He said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Then He made this pivotal statement: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35).
Instead of traveling the Jericho road with “just Jesus and you” I think it better to be “a part of the family of God” and join in “marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God.” The New Testament repeatedly assures us that the glory highway is broad enough to allow all of God’s people to march along together, side by side, helping one another on the way. Let’s do it!
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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – April 28, 2021
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
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