Our Daily Scripture – 7/14/22

SCRIPTURE:  EPHESIANS 4

BIBLE VERSES:

“Be completely 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.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:2-6)

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:15-16)

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.  “In your anger do not sin”:  Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:25-27)

” Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:29-30)

“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.” (Ephesians 4:29-31-32)

UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST (vs. 1-16)

How to have unity in the body of Christ?

  1. Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love (v. 2)
  2. Keep the unity through the bond of peace (v. 3)
  3. Use your gift to build up the body of Christ (v. 12)
  4. Become mature attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (v. 13)
  5. Speak the truth in love (v. 15)
  6. Support each other in work and in love (v. 16)

LIVING AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT (vs. 17-32)

HOW TO LIVE AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT?  

  1. Put off your old self and put on the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (v. 24)
  2. Put off falsehood and speak truthfully (v. 25)
  3. Do not sin in your anger and do not let the sun sit while you are still angry (v. 26)
  4. Do not give the devil a foothold (v. 27)
  5. Do not steal, instead work with your own hands and share with those in need (v. 28)
  6. Do not let unwholesome talks come out of your mouth.  Build others up by helping them according to their needs. (v. 29)
  7. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God (v. 30)
  8. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander along with any form of malice (v. 31)
  9. Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other just as Christ had forgiven you (v. 32)

THOUGHTS:

  1. Paul emphasized on two kinds of Christian walk – UNITY and PURITY.  The body of Christ must be united in order to grow and become mature.  The church must take the Word of God as its spiritual food and not of man made programs, entertainment, or recreation.
  2. The church must not be defiled by the world.  That is why believers must put off old self, put on new nature and put away all sins, falsehood and malice
  3. It is important to handle our anger properly.  Nursing an anger will give Satan an opportunity to divide the body of Christ.  Fix your relationship before the sun sits.
  4. In summary, as children of light, our mouth should speak the truth, our hands should help the needy, our feet should walk in righteousness, our eyes should see God’s holiness, our ears should listen to God’s word.