Monday 13 January, 2014

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. 5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

The call for us as Christians to live a righteous life is an important one, and it is vitally important that we understand the context for why we are called to righteousness. To gain a good appreciation for this, we need to read passages like this one in the context of the whole bible!

God is perfect and holy and Psalm 92 rightly says that “there is no unrighteousness in him.” The problem is that we can fall into the trap, even as Christians, in trying to work our way to being acceptable to God. It is so important not to lose sight of the fact that No-one can be justified by works, but by faith in Jesus Christ alone (Galatians 2:16).

It is from the position of having a free gift of salvation given to us from God, through Jesus, that we should strive to live as Ephesians 4 calls us. Not out of servitude or for recognition or reward, but from a place of joyful thanksgiving, in recognition of the scale of what it cost God to save and redeem us!

Thank you Lord that you have brought us to salvation in Jesus Christ and thank you that we get to read your word to gain insight into how you desire for us to live. We praise you and acknowledge that your ways are so much higher than ours and we know that by living the way that you have called us, that we are part of the redemption of all things! Thankyou God that we are given the power of the Holy Spirit to have our very nature changed so that we desire what is right.

Written by Justin Ware