December 3 - Ephesians 4-6
The first three chapters of Ephesians are all about our redemption. It is a theological explanation of how God has saved us and what we have received from God once we accept Christ. The last three chapters are all about how that should effect change in our lives if we are truly saved. It is an admonition to walk worthy of our calling as Christians. (4:1) I am not going to mention each part because it would be too much to consider at once, but I urge you to read it slowly and let it sink in.
Chapter 4 starts off by showing the radical differences in the Christian life in verses 2 and 3. Lowliness, longsuffering, gentleness, unity, and peace are all impossible without Jesus in our lives, but they should be the norm once we know Him. The reason is that we have put off the "old man" and "put on the new man", which is what Christ really created us to be in the first place. (4:22-24) When this happens we will see great changes in our speech, anger, honesty, and our forgiveness of others. (4:25-32) Have you seen these types of changes in your life? If you have not seen these types of things happen, you are probably not saved. Salvation is not what you have done to receive Christ. It is what He has done in you, once you put your faith in Him. Believe me, His work will be evident, if He is in your life.
Chapter 5 continues by showing that all Christians are to live in love, in the light of Christ, and in the wisdom of Christ. Christ commands us to be filled with the Spirit all the time. (v.18) It is not an option. It is a sin not to be filled. This filling will change us radically in all our relationships. (5:22- 6:9) There should be an obvious difference between Christian families and non-Christian families. If you say this is impossible, keep reading in chapter 6:10-18. God has given us so many advantages. He calls it the "whole armor of God." With this spiritual armor we can be victorious in any situation, but we must put it on and use it every day. I urge you to meditate on the armor. Write it out, so you can see it each morning, until you readily live in it each day. It is revolutionary. This Jesus does not just give us blessings and commands, but He gives us the ability to keep His commands and to live for Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Philippians 1-4.
Chapter 4 starts off by showing the radical differences in the Christian life in verses 2 and 3. Lowliness, longsuffering, gentleness, unity, and peace are all impossible without Jesus in our lives, but they should be the norm once we know Him. The reason is that we have put off the "old man" and "put on the new man", which is what Christ really created us to be in the first place. (4:22-24) When this happens we will see great changes in our speech, anger, honesty, and our forgiveness of others. (4:25-32) Have you seen these types of changes in your life? If you have not seen these types of things happen, you are probably not saved. Salvation is not what you have done to receive Christ. It is what He has done in you, once you put your faith in Him. Believe me, His work will be evident, if He is in your life.
Chapter 5 continues by showing that all Christians are to live in love, in the light of Christ, and in the wisdom of Christ. Christ commands us to be filled with the Spirit all the time. (v.18) It is not an option. It is a sin not to be filled. This filling will change us radically in all our relationships. (5:22- 6:9) There should be an obvious difference between Christian families and non-Christian families. If you say this is impossible, keep reading in chapter 6:10-18. God has given us so many advantages. He calls it the "whole armor of God." With this spiritual armor we can be victorious in any situation, but we must put it on and use it every day. I urge you to meditate on the armor. Write it out, so you can see it each morning, until you readily live in it each day. It is revolutionary. This Jesus does not just give us blessings and commands, but He gives us the ability to keep His commands and to live for Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Philippians 1-4.