Edifications of Paul Chap. 4

There is a rhyme and a reason to Paul's writing. In his extortion of the Ephesians he starts off with God's love, sacrifice, and now unity with us; therefore, as imitators of Christ we need to have love, sacrifice, and unity with one another.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

God has not left us by ourselves to putter around in our salvation. He has given us tools to give our faith purpose and direction. We need to use these tools and teachers to strengthen our faith and understanding of truth.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

I love this verse. I struggle with disunity in the church, both my own and others. I like this verse because is gently reminds my spirit of the maturity in Christ that He is growing in me. I have a very impressionable personality. I listen carefully to others advice to make decisions, yet I need to be listening to my Fathers word and the impressions that the Holy Spirit leaves on my heart. I need to be able to discern good doctrine and false truths.

 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

That being said, I need to seek truth and impart truth in a way that builds up my brothers and sisters. My roommate is a Roman Catholic. We have some very big differences in theology and doctrine; however, I know that God has called me to love her and get along with her. Yet I must love her without distilling or compromising truth.

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

To do so there must be a change in behavior. God has given me the tools and His Spirit to enable me to no longer walk in futility. This passage reminds me of when Paul wrote to the Philippians and said,"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
We must not merely do. We must put thoughts into actions. 

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Then Paul gives very specific examples how to put on a new self and not return back to "gentile" ways. Don't lie. Speak truth. Easy enough. 

 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Be angry?!!! This one difficult for me to understand. This verse is one of the reasons it took me about a month to write this. The NIV puts this verse that helps my mind wrap around this concept, “In your anger do not sin.” My mother would tell us that anger is like a check engine light. You should use your anger to recognize injustice, but it should not rule your life. 

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

I like this verse because it doesn't just tell the thief to stop stealing, but gives him a new motivation. Work honestly so that you can share your fruits with others. 

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

This one is especially hard for me. In my family we prize the witty and clever tongue. Debate around the dinner table to not uncommon. While this in not a bad thing in my family, I do need to make sure my words edify those around me. 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Every time we sin consciously or unconsciously, we grieve the Holy Spirit. I need to become aware of my sin and then strive to becomes more like Christ. I also need to repent of my sins. I often forget to ask God for forgiveness; however, I have found it makes my heart more aware of the sin that I am doing. 

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Empty yourself of sin. Fill yourself with the good works of God. So simply, yet so difficulty. Use Christ and the works of God to motivate your life. What a profound idea that I need to put into practice more in my life. 

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.