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Two days ago, the CNN reported: "As the coronavirus outbreak continues spreading across Asia and the rest of the world, grief and anger are cutting through the noise, after the death of Chinese whistleblower-doctor Li Wenliang." In Singapore, as of Friday (7th February 2020), about 33 people have been reported as having contracted this deadly virus. Channel News Asia reported on Friday, "Coronavirus outbreak: Singapore raises DORSCON level to orange; schools to suspend inter-school, external activities." The World Health Organisation (WHO) has now declared the virus outbreak a global emergency.

As the fear of pestilence grips the people of our city-nation, we must be prepared to face whatever come our way. Yes, we must observe good hygiene practices as a precautionary measure. But even more importantly, let us also be spiritually ready as we face this time of emergency.

Pestilence in the Bible

What does the Bible say about "pestilence" or "plague"? The Hebrew and Greek words for "pestilences" (Heb. deḇer and Gk loimós) in the Bible refer to contagious epidemic disease. Pestilence is often associated with other calamities (e.g. Exod. 9:3–15; Leviticus 26:25; Habakkuk 3:5; Luke 21:11). It is recorded as a judgment or punishment sent by God, rather than a naturally occurring phenomenon.

In the Bible, pestilence (Heb. deḇer, māweṯ; Gk. thánatos) usually refers to divine intervention in human history in the form of human sickness to punish the rebellious conduct of people. God had pronounced that pestilence will be brought upon Israel for her neglect of her covenant obligations to God. In the case of His covenant people Israel, it served as a scourge to bring about repentance and obedient behaviour.

• Leviticus 26:25 – "And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy."
• Deuteronomy 28:21 – "The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it."

The Lord destroyed 70,000 Israelites after David’s census, which was out of prideful confidence in the number of their people (2 Samuel 24:13–15).

Certain prophets of Israel, like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, who proclaimed divine sentence on the rebellious Jews, almost always predicted pestilence as part of a list of scourges that would befall them: "the sword, the famine, and the pestilence" (Jeremiah 24:10, cf. 14:12, 27:8, etc.). The enemies of Israel could also be the objects of this form of judgment (Psalm 78:50; Ezekiel 28:23; 38:22).

As for ancient Israel, when pestilence was sent as a punishment for sin, it was not applied indiscriminately upon all. The one who remains faithful was promised divine protection from its effects.

• Psalm 91:1-3 – "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence."

Jesus mentioned "pestilences" as part of the signs of His coming. They will, according to the Book of Revelation, reach unprecedented proportions, causing great pain and distress upon the earth during the seven-year Tribulation prior to Jesus’ return to this earth.

• Matthew 24:7 – "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places."
• Luke 21:11 – "And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven."

Our Readiness

In recent history, Singapore had encountered pandemics, such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in 2003, swine flu (H1N1) in 2009. According to the National Library Board’s Infopedia, an estimated 415,000 people were infected with H1N1 influenza in Singapore, and there were at least 18 fatalities. Now, we are facing another crisis.

How shall we prepare ourselves to face such an outbreak of diseases in our present times?

Firstly, let us pray for God’s mercy to protect us and heal those who are infected by this disease. Let us remember in our prayers doctors, nurses and all medical professionals who work hard to attend to the sick and also to prevent the spreading of the disease. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Let us act responsibly by taking all necessary precautions to avoid being infected and also to prevent the spreading of the disease. Please pay attention to put into practice the advice given by the government’s medical authorities as precautionary steps.

If any among us become afflicted, let us be comforted that the Lord is with all those who trust Him. Even in death, the Lord is with His people. So we can assuredly say, like David, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).

If a believer dies due to this outbreak, he will certainly be with the Lord. "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). So, let us humbly seek and worship Him. Let us also labour for Him, "knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:24).

Is your mind made up before getting any counsel? Christians who are young in the faith may lack the necessary biblical knowledge to make certain decisions in life. This may be due to their lack of understanding concerning some biblical doctrines. When certain situations arise, they do not know what to do. They would usually ask more spiritually mature Christians for advice, as they genuinely want to know and do God’s will.

However, there are those who ask for counsel for the wrong reasons. Some, being driven by personal lusts, seek God’s help to gratify their desires. When they ask for counsel, they ask with the hope that the counsel they receive will be in line with their intentions. In other words, they have already decided on their course of action even though the counsel they seek might be different!

This all-too-familiar scenario in the church also happened during the time of the prophet Jeremiah. Certain individuals went to Jeremiah to seek counsel concerning God’s will but only to act contrariwise.

Acting before Asking for Counsel (Jer 41:17 – 42:3)

Judah was in ruins in the year 586 BC. The "terrible and dreadful" Babylonians (Habakkuk 1:7) destroyed the city of Jerusalem and burned down the Temple and all the houses of Jerusalem. They also carried off many people and the treasures of the Temple, leaving behind the poor ones (2 Kings 25:9-13). In the chaos that ensued, a man named Johanan took some of the Jews and "dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt" (Jeremiah 41:17).

He was already on the move to go into Egypt for fear of the Babylonians (Jeremiah 41:18). However, Johanan and the people still asked Jeremiah to show them God’s will concerning them so that they might act accordingly (Jeremiah 42:1-3).

Sadly, even today, there are some who seek counsel only after having taken steps towards a particular direction. Though such an action seems to be irrational, many are found making this mistake. For example, some, having established relationships with unbelievers, approach their preachers or elders to ascertain whether such relationships are okay. Some others proceed to make investments before praying earnestly about those matters. There are others who apply for jobs without considering whether those professions are God-honouring or not. They act before asking for or finding out God’s will. If a Christian is sincere in seeking spiritual counsel, he should not act before getting an answer from God.

Placing Self-gratification over Obedience (Jer 42:5-6)

Another characteristic of people who have made up their minds before asking for counsel is that their decisions are based on what is most pleasing to themselves. Such people tend to give only lip service to God. Johanan and the people professed that they would do all that the Lord said, whether they liked it or not (Jeremiah 42:5,6). Yet, Johanan and the people had already presumed that which would please them the most would be the best. They claimed that they would obey God so that His favour would be upon them. But in reality, they only wanted God to approve what they had decided beforehand as the best course of action. Being overwhelmed by fear of Nebuchadnezzar, they were only concerned about their own survival and safety, rather than doing God’s will.

When a person has decided on his own what pleases him the most, he will be very hesitant to obey God’s will. Although God’s will may at times not make sense to us, we just have to trust it to be our perfect guide. We just need to do what God requires of us. Our heavenly Father always knows what is best for us. Therefore, it is better to pursue His will than follow what we think to be the best.

Levelling Blatant Accusations against Faithful Counsel (Jer 43:1-4)

Jeremiah gathered Johanan and the people after receiving an answer from God. He then made known to them that God wanted them to stay back in the land that God might build them up. God also encouraged them not to be afraid of King Nebuchadnezzar, as He had promised to be with them. A warning was also issued against Johanan and the people that if they were to flee to Egypt, they would die in Egypt and none of them would escape (Jeremiah 42:7-22).

When they realised that Jeremiah’s counsel was not in line with their plan, they turned against Jeremiah. They accused Jeremiah of lying. They also disputed that Jeremiah was sent by God to give such a message. They even charged Jeremiah for being involved in a conspiracy to deliver them into the hands of the Babylonians. Thereafter, Johanan and the rest of the people acted against "the voice of the LORD". Their self-pleasing attitude emboldened them to blatantly accuse God’s appointed servant (Jeremiah 43:1-4).

Pastors and preachers are often attacked by self-seeking, disobedient people. Such people have no regard for God’s messengers. Neither they reverence God’s Word. Oh, what tragic errors are found in those who made up their minds even before seeking spiritual counsel!

Report on Gethsemane Malayalam Fellowship Retreat

Psalm 16:11 — "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

We thank God for helping Gethsemane Malayalam Fellowship to organise a retreat on Monday, 27th Jan 2020. We are grateful for the good feasting of God’s Word during this year’s Chinese New Year holiday. Including children, 34 Malayalees gathered at Gethsemane Media Centre. Malayalees are from Kerala (a south Indian state), and we speak the Malayalam language. Roughly 30,000 Malayalees live in Singapore. For the past 13 years, we gather together every Sunday in Gethsemane BP Church as Malayalam Fellowship, with our pastor teaching us from various Scriptural books/topics. During this fellowship, we sing spiritual songs, pray, read the Scriptures and study the Word in our mother tongue, and it is a great blessing for our spiritual growth.

During this year’s retreat, Pastor Prabhudas Koshy preached two messages on the topic of "Living in the Awareness of God’s Presence", and Sister Abigail Skariah taught our children from the same topic. During the first session of the retreat, Pastor explained from the Scriptures that no one can hide from the presence of God (Psalm 139). His presence will be unbearable for those who live in sin, and try to flee from Him. But believers who sinned against God, fearing that God will cast them away from sin, would pray, "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me" (Psalm 51:11). To all those who repent, the Lord shall not only grant forgiveness, but also His fellowship. 1 John 1: 6-9 declares, "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." In the second session, from the life of Moses and Joshua, we learned how to rejoice in the presence of God. It is very important to learn how to live in the presence of God, which is a life of heavenly joy. If we live a moment without the awareness of the presence of God, we may fall into terrible sins. God’s presence will give us real peace in our life.

We thank God for bringing some new contacts to this retreat. We are planning to follow up with those new contacts and invite them for our regular meetings. Please pray for the Holy Spirit’s working in the hearts of all those who came so that they, being convicted of the truth, may join our main worship services and Malayalam fellowship gatherings. If you have friends, neighbours or colleagues who speak the Malayalam language, please invite them to our church and to our Malayalam Fellowship. May our God use all of us to reach people around us, even people of various languages and cultures, with His glorious Gospel. All glory to God!

(Extracts of recently received correspondence from Pr Sujith Samuel)

We thank God for helping Gethsemane B-P Church, Singapore, to finish the renovation works of the new premises in Singapore and begin the work for the further extension of God’s kingdom. May the Lord use this new place for His glory.

The last semester’s classes of Gethsemane Bible Institute (GBI, Vizag, India) ended on 14th November 2019. Most of the students attended the examination. We will be conducting a supplementary examination for those who needed more time to complete their assignments. Many of them were taking theological examinations for the first time, which understandably was a difficult experience for them.

The classes for the new semester (Jan-April, 2020) of GBI have begun. We have 14 students this semester. Thank you very much, Pastor, for making available your video courses, class materials, financial support and guidance needed for the work here. FEBC online classes are also very helpful for the students. The students are very happy to study many subjects offered by GBI and FEBC. We are also planning and getting ready to have live classes with you through Skype. We eagerly look forward to having this facility soon.

Since the second week of November 2019, a Telugu worship service has been conducted after the English Service held on Sunday morning. Pastor Thomas, who is one of our students, is helping to organise it. Bro Joshua, a local man, is very interested in bringing more people to the Telugu service. He is trying to spread the word especially among his relatives and friends.

I have been invited by Pastor David to preach in his church during the Christmas service, and again in the coming week. My Christmas ministry in his church was a blessed experience. The believers gathered in a small room belonging to a member of Pastor David’s church to hear me preaching. That’s where the church meetings are currently held. Because there is insufficient space for their gatherings, they decided to construct a small meeting place on top of the house. The total estimate for the work is around Rs 200,000 (SGD 4,000). They had already finished half of the work by raising funds from church members and friends. It will be good if we can extend some help to them in finishing the work. The pending work includes painting, electrical works, bathroom works, etc.

This semester, the following subjects are offered:

1. Ecclesiology (GBI online),
2. Eschatology (GBI online),
3. The Book of Revelation,
4. Biblical Covenants,
5. Calvin's Institutes,
6. Minor Prophets, and
7. Westminster Standards.

Since more students have joined GBI this semester, we need to purchase some new tables and chairs. Our office computer is also failing. It will be good if we can buy a new PC for the office and GBI.

Thank you for all the prayers and support for the work here. May the Lord guide and help us forward.

Recently, I came across a Latin phrase—non sum qualis eram—which means "I am not as I was" or "I am not what I used to be."

In reality, every Christian should be able to say, non sum qualis eram. When an individual is regenerated by the power of the Word and the Spirit (John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:23), "he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Then he is expected to "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24), and "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4c).

Everyone who is in Christ becomes "a new creature" (cf. Galatians 6:15). The word "new" (Greek: kainos) means new in quality, not just in sequence. Hence, a Christian has a qualitatively different life from his past. A transformation of life does occur when one is regenerated as a child of God. His "old man is crucified with him (Christ), that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (Romans 6:6). A Christian would, from then onwards, "put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind" (Ephesians 4:22-23; cf. Colossians 3:9-10).

The transformation wrought by the new birth is not only an instantaneous spiritual miracle, but also entails a lifelong process of sanctification. In the life a Christian, extensive changes will happen - old beliefs, ideas, values, plans, loves, desires, etc. will be replaced by the new spiritual realities that accompany salvation. God plants new perspectives, desires, loves, inclinations and truths in His redeemed child. Though he lives in the same body with all its sinful propensities, a new aspiration and pursuit (which are after the righteousness of God) begin to thrust him forward (cf. Galatians 6:14). He will also be daily nourished and established by the truths and providential working of God through the Spirit, so that he may live a life that constantly separates him from sin and ungodliness while conforming him to the image of Jesus Christ. His ignorant, darkened, carnal, defiled, materialistic and hardened pre-conversion life is now enlightened, sanctified and loving. Though he once pursued wickedness and sin, he now follows after righteousness and holiness. Hence, constantly being changed, he can say, "I am not what I used to be."

Every Christian will be changed daily because he desires to be more and more like the Lord Jesus Christ. Perfection in this life will always be a goal, never an achievement. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). A Christian knows that he is far from being perfect. So, he eagerly pursues perfection with all his might. The Christian life is a lifelong process of spiritual growth. Hence the commandment to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).

As Paul testifies, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13–14). Christ-likeness is the prize that every Christian must pursue. He looks forward to tomorrow with the desire and assurance that with God’s help, he shall be more like his Master.

Let us therefore press on, knowing that everyday we shall be gradually molded to become more Christ-like, till we see Him face to face. Paul affirms so: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18). The apostle John also agrees: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2).

Greeting and Report from Rev. Reggor Galarpe

Dear Pastor,

Blessed New Year to you!

By God’s grace, we are pressing on in the work of the ministry in this brand new year.

Yesterday (6th Jan), we had our 2nd-semester opening of GBI. The Lord has encouraged us by sending new students to study. There’s one from Cavite City (near Manila) who arrived early morning of last Sunday. He was referred to us by Dr Jose Lagapa. He is from a Bible-Baptist church, but is willing to study Reformed Theology and Calvinism.

Then another brother, also from a Bible-Baptist Church here in Cebu, enrolled for a few subjects. For some time, he has been attending our prayer meeting and worship service with his wife. And to my surprise, he came yesterday for the Prayer and Registration, and enrolled for a few subjects. Add to it, the missionary/preacher of True Life BPC in Trinidad, Bohol also enrolled, taking a few subjects. Our two brothers from Bukidnon (Johnnyrey and Warly) had arrived safely yesterday morning, just in time for the opening. Praise God!
All in, we have 17 students being enrolled this semester, 4 of whom are full-time.

Pastor, as I think about it, it’s no doubt the Lord’s way of encouraging us to press on with the ministry of GBI. I could see that Eld. Eliezer Ortega, Pr. Edsel and Dn Samuel were also encouraged to see this development. Praise God!

I am sending you a photo taken after the registration. On Eld. Eli’s side is our brother Kenneth Guillas from Cavite City, and next to him is Greluz Damos (both Bible-Baptists). Next to Pr. Edsel is Pr Rodolfo Gayon (True Life BPC Missionary in Trinidad, Bohol). Except for Sis. Juvy, the sisters are studying part-time. Please do continue to include us in prayer.

Lastly, thank you very much for the support and blessings received. Kindly extend our greetings and thanks to all our brethren for their prayers and support.

All glory to God!

Respectfully,
Reggor

In Ephesians 5:15, Paul exhorted believers, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise". What does the Bible mean by the word "fool"? Why is the idea of "fools" such a grave matter that we are told not to be or behave like fools?

Jesus warned against calling a brother "fool" (mōros). He said, "Whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire" (Matthew 5:22). Using it as a derogatory term on a believer is forbidden because it is to accuse and condemn a person as a "godless" individual, which is an indictment of the highest guilt.

However, Christ and the Scriptures repetitively referred to certain people as "fools". Consider the following words of Christ to the Pharisees - "Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?... Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?" (Matthew 23:17, 19). "Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?" (Luke 11:40). "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken" (Luke 24:25). Likewise, the apostle Paul rebuked the erring Galatians, "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" (Galatians 3:1; cf. 3:3).

According to the Scriptures, the greatest fool is the person who denies the doctrine of God and lives apart from God. Psalm 14:1 describes such a fool – "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good" (cf. Psalm 53:1). The fool lives as a theological or practical atheist, or as both, denying God by his actions as well as his words.

Romans 1:21-22 sheds further light on those whom God regards as fools, who "when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools". Scripture further reveals that fools, in their natural, unregenerate state, would discount, disregard and discard spiritual matters—"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14). No matter what the level of his intellect, education, wealth or reputation may be, the fool will not esteem divine truths and counsels.

By his words and his actions, the fool will show his disregard for God and His perfect counsels. The

• Scriptures assert that the fool’s speech, attitude and deeds will give evidence to his folly:

  His foolish speech: Denial of God (Psalm 14:1; 53:1); blasphemy and reproach of God (Psalm 74:18b, 22b); making a mock at sin (Proverbs 14:9a); lying and slandering (Proverbs 10:18), utter foolish talking (Proverbs 15:2).

• His foolish attitude: No fear of the LORD (Proverbs 1:29b), hatred of godly knowledge (Proverbs 1:22b, 29a); despising wisdom and instruction (Proverbd 1:7; 15:5); lack of delight in understanding (Proverbs 18:2), refusal to depart from evil (Proverbs 13:19b); self-conceit (Proverbs 12:15); self-confidence (Proverbs 14:16); self-trust (Proverbs 28:26); self-deceiving inclination (Proverbs 14:8); corrupt and abominable lifestyle (Ps. 14:1; 53:1); angry disposition (Eccl. 7:9; Proverbs 14:17a); contentious nature (Proverbs 18:6); slothfulness (Ecclesiastes 4:5); self-righteous and hypocritical behaviour (Matthew 25:2-12).
• His foolish actions: Engaging in mischief as sport (Proverbs 10:23); holding on to evil (Proverbs 27:22); walking in darkness (Ecclesiastes 2:14); disobedient response to the Word of God (Matthew 7:26); idolatrous conduct (Jeremiah 10:8; Romans 1:22-23).

The fool always sets himself up as his own god. He thinks highly of himself, and considers his thoughts and feelings to be superior to all others, even that of God’s. Proverbs 12:15 states, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes." Whatever he finds acceptable and pleasant to his corrupt reasoning and carnal sense, he would pursue, even though it is forbidden by God! His self-righteous mindset justifies all his ungodly conduct and rejects godly counsels. To him, even open profaneness becomes acceptable.

Such a foolish living, according to the Scriptures, will meet with tragic repercussions. Honour is unbecoming to him (Proverbs 26:1, 8); his own words shall ensnare his soul (Proverbs 18:7); afflictions resulting from transgressions shall plague him (Psalm 107:17); retribution and punishment will be upon him (Proverbs 19:29); divine condemnation will ultimately catch up with him (Proverbs 26:10; Matthew 23:17, 19).

Those who live foolishly within the church are they who are "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7). Those who are guilty of the foolish walk must repent at once and seek the Lord for forgiveness and restoration, lest they "die for want of wisdom" (Proverbs 10:21). For this reason, Paul cautions all who claim to be Christians that "ye walk … not as fools".

As we have already seen, even clever, determined, self-assured people can be trapped in foolishness that brings divine retribution upon them. Only the knowledge from God can grant a foolish individual deliverance from his folly and all its painful results. Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (cf. Proverbs 1:7), and continues by acknowledging His truth and ways. Only "the holy scriptures… are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15b).

Some believers also "play the fool" when they regard the things of this world above God and His Word. To drive home the peril of such attitude, Paul told Timothy that "they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition" (1 Timothy 6:9). Hence the apostle exhorted Timothy to live different from those who walk foolishly– "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses" (1 Timothy 6:11-12).

Let us heed the counsel of the apostle Paul: "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:15-17).