Reading: Ephesians 4
My Verse: "Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Annointed One)" (4:15)
What a wonderful chapter. Paul calls us to unity. He teaches that the purpose of spiritual gifts is for us to build one another up, to unify and strengthen and bring to maturity the body of Christ.
I particularly like this phrase, "let our lives lovingly express truth". I had to go to the doctor's office yesterday. The nurse that took my vitals was very efficient, but almost robotic in how she handled me. There did not seem to be any joy in her life. It made me realize how I appear to others is so important. Does my daily life "lovingly express truth"? Do people see You in me, Lord?
I had to really think about this. The Amplified Bible spells this phrase out with "[in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]".
In today's world speaking crassly seems to be considered hip, cool. One even hears Christians and Christian leaders speaking disparagingly of others. But we are to be speaking truly. "Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace to those who hear it" (4:20). This is pretty clear, and does not allow for anything but good to be spoken. Lord, please put a guard over my tongue this day.
The second part, "dealing truly" speaks to my relationships with others, with all those I interact with throughout my day, most particularly to fellow Christians. Verse 25 states, "Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with it, let everyone express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another." Help me, Lord, to be honest and true in all my dealings with others. Help me to deal truly with all.
Finally, the last part tells me to be "living truly". How does one live truly? I realize, Lord, that I cannot do this on my own. You must enable me. I must be constantly renewed in the spirit of my mind (4:23). I must "put on the new nature created in God's image" (4:24).
The words of the song "Grace" by Laura Story expresses this well for me.
"As long as you are seeking my Face,
you'll walk in the power of my daily sufficient grace."
How beautiful to have my life lovingly expressing truth! Only with Your all sufficient Grace, Lord!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: "Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Annointed One)" (4:15)
What a wonderful chapter. Paul calls us to unity. He teaches that the purpose of spiritual gifts is for us to build one another up, to unify and strengthen and bring to maturity the body of Christ.
I particularly like this phrase, "let our lives lovingly express truth". I had to go to the doctor's office yesterday. The nurse that took my vitals was very efficient, but almost robotic in how she handled me. There did not seem to be any joy in her life. It made me realize how I appear to others is so important. Does my daily life "lovingly express truth"? Do people see You in me, Lord?
I had to really think about this. The Amplified Bible spells this phrase out with "[in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]".
In today's world speaking crassly seems to be considered hip, cool. One even hears Christians and Christian leaders speaking disparagingly of others. But we are to be speaking truly. "Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace to those who hear it" (4:20). This is pretty clear, and does not allow for anything but good to be spoken. Lord, please put a guard over my tongue this day.
The second part, "dealing truly" speaks to my relationships with others, with all those I interact with throughout my day, most particularly to fellow Christians. Verse 25 states, "Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with it, let everyone express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another." Help me, Lord, to be honest and true in all my dealings with others. Help me to deal truly with all.
Finally, the last part tells me to be "living truly". How does one live truly? I realize, Lord, that I cannot do this on my own. You must enable me. I must be constantly renewed in the spirit of my mind (4:23). I must "put on the new nature created in God's image" (4:24).
The words of the song "Grace" by Laura Story expresses this well for me.
"As long as you are seeking my Face,
you'll walk in the power of my daily sufficient grace."
How beautiful to have my life lovingly expressing truth! Only with Your all sufficient Grace, Lord!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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