Ephesians 4
I love the the book of Ephesians! The 4th chapter has especially been speaking to me lately. Over the next week or two I am going to begin blogging about all that God is speaking to me in this chapter. Lets begin with Verses 1-3........
Ephesians 4:1-3"As a Prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in LOVE."
Paul gives us 5 initiatives here
1. Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
What is the calling? The calling is a Christ follower. We are all called to follow Christ and to live a God honoring life. Live in such a way that makes the world around you want what you have. I am not saying be fake or unauthentic, sometimes life is challenging, People are challenging. But how we respond or react to our situations is what the world around us will take notice to.
2. Be Humble
Jesus spoke of humility often. In Luke 14:11 Jesus tells us "All who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted" 1 Peter 5:5 says "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Romans 12:3 tells us "Do not think of yourselves more highly then you ought to."
God is asking us to be humble, not proud. He gives unending grace to those who are humble and believe me, I need a lot of grace!
3. Be Gentle
Titus 3:2 tells us to "speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle and show courtesy toward all people." Be gentle and kind to each other. This honors God.
4. Be Patient
Yikes! this is a hard one isn't it? I sing a little song to my girls about patients and it goes like this.....
"Have patients, have patients, don't be in such a hurry, when you get impatient, you only start to worry, remember, remember, God has patients too, So think of all the times when others have to wait for you!"
Patients is not easy but it is attainable. Lets learn to be patient with each other and patient with God.
5. Bear with one another in LOVE
God expect and mandates us (Christians) to be there for each other. when we see someone hurting or burdened we should to be the first shoulder they have to lean on. We can not let people fight alone. We have to be there for each other in love.
Today I want to challenge you all to Pray. Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you live a life worthy of the calling, to be humble and gentle; to be patient with people and patient with God; and to bear with each other in love. Love each other.
