"I therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service." Ephesians 4:1Ephesians 1-3 teaches how God sees us in Christ and now 4-6, teach how the world should see Christ in us. Amen? And so now that God has made it possible for the Gentile to be saved, received Christ, built into a temple, fellow heirs, been prayed for, and all that we just read up to now... Something amazing should happen! We should lead a life of the divine calling, with behavior that is a credit to God's service! If not... If you seem to remain unchanged, don't make a big deal of it... Simply pick yourself up and go back to step one... Do you trust in and rely upon Christ Jesus as your savior? Yes, then continue in His Word, believing in all of His Word, together! No, then find out how much God loves you so that you WILL trust in and rely upon Him and all that He says!
Listen, you cannot receive an award for singing songs about premarital sex and fornication... Dressed in bed clothes... Walk up on stage and say, "I'd like to thank God for helping me get this award", YOU DO NOT KNOW HIM!
Believing in God is no more than what satan, himself does! Of course he believes... He has seen God and conversed with God, but he will NEVER trust in and rely upon God! That means you know all of what God has said and LIVE ACCORDINGLY! That's what Paul is talking about.
2. "Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another."
We're back to these two issues - lowliness and love! Lowliness, or humility is not a debasing self hate... But a positional perspective and awareness! It's what America use to believe by the reference, "One nation UNDER God"! Living life daily with the awareness of the ever-watching eye of our creator. And the love for one another is no longer merely thinking of nice stuff to do and doing it... But something pouring out of you that is produced only by God, Himself. God's love produces "meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another." Amen?
Let's pick up with Ephesians verse 4:3 next time.
I love you.
No wonder the Word says, "Love covers a multitude of sins." Love is an overflow of a heart made alive, and transformed by the power of His Blood! Thank you, Jesus! : D
ReplyDelete"Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others." 1 Peter 4:8
ReplyDeleteWhat does that mean, if not that, love should be our primary motive. Christ's love should stir us to seek to make others want to find out what... or Who, makes us so loving.
Amen? Thanks Charlotte