[:en]UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST (vs. 1-16)
To attain unity with one Lord – with one body, one Spirit, one Hope, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, we must be humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
All believers in Christ belong to one body entrusted under the head Christ himself. Each believer has God-given abilities that can strengthen the whole body. Use your special ability and unique gift to contribute to the strength and health of the body of believers.
When Christ ascended to heaven, he gave gifts to the church. Some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son, working together so that the church can express the fullness of Christ.
We will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, we should speak the turth in love.
LIVING AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT (vs. 17-32)
- Put off your old self that is being corrupted by deceitufl desires
- Make new in the attitude of your minds
- Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness
- Put off falsehood and speak truthfullly
- In your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun ggo down while you are still angry
- Do not give the devil a foothold
- Do not steal but work and share with those in need
- Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up and benefit to the listeners
- Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God
- Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
- Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
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