Ephesians 4
Unity in the Body
1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. 7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say,
“When he ascended to the heights,
he led a crowd of captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Living as Children of Light
17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
I have been feeling a little dry lately.. i want to get back to consistent studying the word of God. i read a commentary that Christian nowadays feed on Spiritual fast food - magazines, Christian commentaries, Christian music as their means of growing in the lord. The real depth of food is lacking ... which is from the reading of the word of God.
I think it's really easy. really easy to live the life the world enjoys. no responsibilities. no worries. carefree.
i have been hearing podcast... and i have been wondering alot of things. it's like singaporeans life is really really busy. Even for myself... doing the things that i want to do sometimes can be really hard... meeting people. playing guitar.. going out to meet J. to Jam, gg for mission trip/ helping out in community service.... really alot of things i want to do. sometimes i feel grieve that i move so slowly... and people around me are like - graduating.. able to meet friends and chill out at places. and then i see media... the youths from around the world.. they have the time to pursue something they are really interested in. it kinda makes me really sad.
but... today as i read the first part of this chapter... it reminded me of what PAstor Aries shared. there are many kinds of life out there. Even as Christians... there are different level of commitment.. different level of lifestyle.
Paul says " I...... a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God."
what is the most crucial thing isnt really what we do... or where we are. but we must know who we are and where we are going. i am really lost this few days. i feel that i lost my purpose and all.... and when u lose that... it's death. every part of you feel so dead. and you will begin to complain. and i did that.
The life of a christian. is. the life of a pilgrim.
As a CGL my role is
(to be)" the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ."
i have been feeling so inadequate for years.
There are these things i need to do:
1)Be refreshed in the spirit
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future
There can be no better rest than to lie in the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit.
2) Consecrate
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
The 2 greatest tool the devil use in the last days is founded in deception and offense. it's happening in our church. in our office. everywhere. but... it starts with the church. and when God disciplines... he will also start from the church.
Its important for me to set myself apart in this area.
- sleep early. ( no night terrors. at night u tend to think alot of funny things)
- filter the media you watch
- keep a open and transparent life.
3) Be filled with the Word of God
" Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy..."
i feel there can be 2 extremes of christianity. Those who do alot.. and are wrap in the cycle of doing and doing... but losing their holiness... their relationship with God. The other extreme is those who are so filled with the word of God.. but they are lazy.. unwilling to serve. They talk the talk but cannot walk the walk.
I want to find a balance between both. it should start with an inward filling. and wolverine once said the best defence is offence. To stop yourself from falling into a 'worldly lifestyle .. or be confused by it'... you attack the spirit realm with the word of God- the sword of the spirit.
I know i am not perfect. i seem to make so many disappointed at times. i often feel i cannot get things right the first time. i have to step on someone's toes at least once..... before i can make right my rln with that person.
But i shall live with wisdom! Now is the time to know and do what i need to do. i have 3 more hours to study my econs before service start. :) i shall chiong
