2/19/09

Ephesians 4:21-32 (NIV)

21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin"[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.


I am sure I have quoted this Scripture before but I feel like God wants me to use it again. Paul is telling the Ephesians not to be like the unconverted Gentiles. The unconverted Gentiles were walking in vain and had carnal affections. We need to have a distinction between "real" and ones who are "just going through the motions of a believer." We must be the "real" believers and show everyone who we are and who Christ is and always will be. Take off our filthy garments and put on the new garment of holiness. Why do we continue to put down our brothers and sisters in Christ and that includes our leaders as well? Why do we put down our leaders? Why are we doing it? Do we not realize that the enemy is coming stronger? Do we not know that when we have our brothers and sisters in Christ that we lock arms and build strength so the enemy will not get in to our church, our lives, our brothers and sisters lives? I'm so tired of people saying offensive things. We think we can just say anything and it will fly..it will be ok. That's not necessarily true. However, if we hear something offensive, we need to go to that brother or sister or even a leader and talk to them about. Don't go talking amongst yourselves. Nothing will get resolved that way. It says in the Word that if anything offensive is said, go to your brother or sister and resolve it. Sometimes we think we can just say anything to our brothers and sisters and it will be ok. Think again....think before you speak.

We are all in this together. Let us tell the truth to our brothers and sisters...not lying to them. We are all connected in the Family of God. Try not to hurt each other. The Scripture says don't be angry, don't go to bed angry. Don't be bitter. Don't give Satan anything to hold onto; anything that would give him a foothold. Don't do it! Each of our words is a gift from God. Watch what we say; watch our tongues. Sometimes we speak before we even think. Be gentle with one another and be sensitive. Also remember forgiveness because we were forgiven also. Just be careful. Sometimes the people we hurt the most are our fellow believers in Christ. That is so sad! I am sure it grieves the Holy Spirit!

We must be imitators of Christ. God is love and if we are truly walking in God, then the love will be shown. It is the love of God in the midst of evil that needs to be shown. The love of God is superior and is holy. We are all members of the same body...the Body of Christ. Let's start showing it. Let's be in unity. Forgive one another, encourage one another and love one another, just as Christ has done for you. Once we are in unity, then we can truly do God's work and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ!