Scripture:
Ephesians 4:28-32 ESV
[28] Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. [29] Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. [32] Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Observation:
Paul is talking to the Ephesians, giving them a clear example of what it looks like to repent. Now, the word “repent” can be misconstrued to mean apologizing for what has been done, and although that is part of it, that’s not the just of what needs to happen. Paul tells us here that if you were a thief, you need to stop stealing and work hard so that you have something to give. The next verse encourages us to be very careful with what we say, keeping our words guarded and only building others up. Speaking grace and truth. As to not grieve the Holy Spirit. Allowing HIM to lead our conversations. After all, we have been sealed with HIS approval for the day of redemption. This list of things that need to be put away from our lives makes perfect sense to me. What good is anger and bitterness, slander and clamor along with malice. It’s not for us to be bitter and heatful. A life led by the Holy Spirit has the fruit of the Spirit. Being kind and tenderhearted, forgiving those who have wronged us.
Application:
Once I gave my life to Jesus, my desires changed. I no longer wanted to be the person I was. In light of that, the Holy Spirit started pointing things out to me. Like all these things I had stolen from people, what a selfish person I was. The way I spoke. The dirty little jokes slandering others not telling the truth. All the anger and bitterness. None of it was suitable for me anymore and would need to change. So what does it look like to be a follower of Jesus? My thought is to walk in love. We can’t continue to hold on to our past. We have to let it go. All those old behaviors need to change. It’s a good thing it doesn’t have to happen all at once. But it does need to happen. Repentance is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives. I saw a sign years ago that said…” If you continue to think as you always thought, you will continue to get as you always got.” Changing the way we think. This leads to our actions changing as well. You have to think your way into right living because you will never live your way into right thinking. Renewing our minds by studying GOD’S living word is the key. When I made reading the bible a priority in my life, things started to get different. My thinking changed. I was able to forgive and not hold bitterness towards others. Living lined up with the word. Just so you know… no, it’s not easy, and yes, I do stumble. I may not be the man I’m supposed to be, but I am eternally grateful that I’m not the man I used to be… Honestly, I think there are a lot of others who are grateful as well. I was not loveable until I realized I was loved by the greatest of all… Jesus
Prayer:
Father, thank you for showing us it’s possible to change. You put examples in front of us to reach towards. You gave us reachable goals. You have led us with your Holy Spirit. What an amazing GOD you are. Thank you for loving us when we could not love ourselves. Thank you for being patient with us and leading us slowly and tenderly closer to your heart. You know just what we need and just how to get us there. I would have to say the one thing I’m most grateful for that you have done is releasing me from bitterness and anger. It’s a freeing feeling knowing that I can just love them all and let you sort them out. What has been done by me or to me holds no bondage in my life anymore. Only your love motivates me to be more like you. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.