Meditation

Hi there,

One benefit of a free people is the freedom to choose, and with choice comes responsibility and consequences. As chapter 4 closes, Paul calls us away from vice and into virtue. It is a choice.

Verse 30 drives the point home: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Our sinful and selfish choices don’t only wound others; they grieve God. He is personal, and what we think, say, and do matters to Him.

Note the “And”, this command is connected to the whole flow of walking in unity and purity so the church can be effective in its mission of making the gospel visible and accessible.

In verses 31 and 32 Paul offers a clear contrast...and a choice

Put away (v. 31):

bitterness • rage • anger • brawling • slander • malice

Put on (v. 32):

kindness • compassion • forgiving one another as in Christ, God forgave you.

Today's verses are Ephesians 4:30-32 (and are marked in black. Previous verses are shown in grey for context).

Instructions for Christian Living

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

²⁶ “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.

²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

²⁹ 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.

³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Encouragement

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20–21

Steve Pawley

God's word in your hand

I've attached this explanation of Ephesians from The Bible Project to accompany this season's copy work.

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