What we've unpacked in Ephesians 1-3 is far beyond what any human being can accomplish. Only God is able to do such things, much more than we could ask or imagine. Christian, your eternity begins here and now; you've been raised from death to life; and you're equipped with everything you need to walk in what God has promised to do in and through you— exceedingly abundantly above all that you ask or think (NKJV)
Before you move on, please take some time to go back and read Ephesians chapters 1-3 over again, as I have, I know you won't regret it. May I suggest that you insert your name throughout the pages—and read it out loud for your ears to hear all that God has promised to those who are in Christ Jesus.
See my last post, The Power of Reconciliation, on Ephesians 3:14-21
Paul spent three chapters unpacking all of what God has done for us. Now, in chapter four, he pivots from who we are in Christ to how to walk worthy of that calling.
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Ephesians 4:1 NLT
God has made you his child, an heir. He poured out His grace upon you, your inheritance. If this is you, you now know by His cost; how wide, how long, how high and how deep is His love for you (3:18). You also know that you did not earn it, nor do you deserve it; it was freely given. Consequently out of that love grows an organic response to His leading—not I have to, but I get to.
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2 NLT
Humble, gentle, patient—these, I believe, are not natural to man. I mean they could, I guess, show up more in some than others, but without a new heart in Christ, I do not believe they can withstand on their own. I definitely would not have used these words to describe myself, not without Jesus in me. First of all, I don't think humility even exists in the flesh. Besides, and I've asked this before, if one thinks they are humble, are they actually humble? Only Jesus humbles. Left to myself, gentle and patient I am not. I'm pretty straight forward, so I think it's safe to say that a gentle delivery is undoubtedly the Holy Spirit—and patience, well it's definitely a rare and sought after virtue.
Think about the love God displayed in the previous chapters. When it actually sinks in, it produces humility; even in the darkest soul. When this happens the need to prove yourself to anyone begins to dissipate. Having all you need in Him leads to an ability to love others without expectation. In surrendering to Jesus, Paul says in Galatians 5:22-23 that the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Considering that, we do still live in these bodies, in this world, with the tempter nipping at our heels. Earlier in Galatian 5 Paul describes what it looks like if we follow the desires of the flesh; the results are the polar opposite of the fruit of the Spirit. Hence, we keep our eyes on Jesus, not on ourselves, allowing His love to overflow.
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:3 NLT
We are united in Christ. God created unity in the Spirit and Paul exhorts us to do everything within our power to stay united, and at peace with one another. Unity among denominational and doctrinal differences is often negligible and can cause division in the Church. The truth is, as God has shown me over the last 18 months of crazy, many of us are guilty of this in one way or another, including myself. It's amazing what a world turned upside down reveals. Fretting over these differences is senseless. Our unity is in Christ and God's Truth. God is separating the wheat from the tares in His body, revealing those who will stand on Truth, united in Him. What matters isn't agreeing on logistics, but preparing a flock as watchmen on the wall.
For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. Ephesians 4:4-6 NLT
Unity is woven throughout the church by what we have in common, and because of Him, it will, if we let it, outweigh the petty differences that could otherwise divide. I believe God can and will do mighty things through the united body of Christ firmly standing on His Word.
However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. Ephesians 4:7 NLT
We are one, but we are not the same. We are the body of Christ, of which He is the head. It seems strange but think about how cool that is. He gifts each of us as He chooses, and uses us differently, with none more important than the other. We are all needed for the body to fully function. If one part of the body is sick, the rest suffers along with it.
God gives you grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. In other words, He's equipped each of us with just the right amount of grace to accomplish all that He asks us to do with, and through, the gifts He's given. We will unpack this a bit more next time as we continue in Ephesians 4.
It seems that we literally can not digest one tragic world event before another pops up. In light of the circumstances around us, let's take a moment to examine our hearts. I don't mean are we stealing or cheating (although I hope not lol ) but are we walking worthy of the Lord? Is the momentum of your life and the desire of your heart to walk worthy of your calling?
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