SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
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. [Ephesians 4:1-2] Lord, as I read this passage, I sense that I am called to live a radically different kind of life, one that is obviously different from the ‘normal’ way that people live. This is how You live, and how I need to live. This is not just an add-on to being saved, it is the very life I am saved for, my calling. To reject this kind of life is to reject salvation. I have been saved FROM dishonesty, stealing, slander, bitterness, anger, drunkenness, etc. I have been saved FOR humility, compassion, honesty, gratitude, generosity, integrity, etc.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” [John 13:34-35] Lord, You make it clear this is not an option, it is a command. You set the standard as high as Yourself: we are to love each other in the same way that You loved us [Paul agrees, Ephesians 4:32]. This is how the world knows that we are Your followers; because we live differently, because we love when others hate, because we are kind to those who are cruel, because we forgive when others hold grudges.
Lord, I sense that as Your followers, when we live like this, each one of us using our gifts and opportunities to love and bless others, we will be a remarkable testimony of harmony to the world. Paul’s challenge, which he issues from prison (where one might expect bitterness, rage, victim talk), is that we blow the world away with how we love, serve, and bless ach other.
When we give room to the negative qualities listed here, we grieve the Spirit that is in us, and we give the devil a foothold. We undermine our position in You, we work against our calling, and we hinder Your testimony to the world. Lord, forgive us when we as Jesus followers, or the church, live just like everyone else: just as selfish, just as bitter, just as stingy, just as dishonest, just as immoral, etc.
We need to Hear Your command to love like You love as our #1 calling. This is what we were saved for, what we are called to!
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, help me to see the practical ways I can demonstrate Your love TODAY, wherever You lead me, t whomever You put in my path!
I am called – to live for Jesus – a life of service – so that the family of God may be built up. I am called to be like Jesus, Christian by name, knowing Him, growing in Him, loving Him so I may mature in Him who is my Father.
Since I am in Him and He in me, I am able to do works of service – giving also to those who have needs. I am not my own, but I have been bought for a price and therefor my attitude, my mindset needs to show the love of God within me – Love God, Love men.
They will know we are Christians by our love – love in action, love in our speaking. My knowing = my loving = my doing. Heart and head and hands are aligned.
Help me each day Lord to say and do – GodIsFirstToday – TGIF – and tomorrow and all the tomorrows after that. Lead me and Guide me.
Lead on, O King eternal,
The day of march has come;
Henceforth in fields of conquest
Thy tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation
Thy grace has made us strong;
And now, O King eternal,
We lift our battle song.
Lead on, O King eternal,
Till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper
The sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords’ loud clashing,
Nor roll of stirring drums;
With deeds of love and mercy
The heavenly kingdom comes.
Lead on, O King eternal,
We follow, not with fears,
For gladness breaks like morning
Where’er Thy face appears.
Thy cross is lifted over us,
We journey in its light;
The crown awaits the conquest;
Lead on, O God of might.