Discoveries Bible - Ephesians 4
4:1
In earthly terms, I'm in the lowest of places: a Roman prison cell. But, connected to Christ, I urge you to live out the most lofty of lives, for God has spoken your name. And now, everything I've described is yours.
4:2
As a result, you no longer have a need to convince anybody that you're something special; Jesus has already done that for you. When you know how completely loved you are and how rich you are inside, it's easy to put up with the little faults of the people around us because God's love overflows in our hearts. So others are safe with you.
4:3
This is why we put up with others, making peace so that all who drink from the same Holy Spirit may remain united.
4:4-6
Despite what you see on earth, as far as God is concerned there's only one body of believers. (So even the ones you disagree with are still connected to you.) And is the Holy Spirit divided? No way! And, hey, we're all headed to the same place. Jesus is Lord of all of us. Despite our squabbles, there is really only one common faith. For all of us, the old life is gone, the new life is here: We drink from the same life giving Holy Spirit. And there is only one God and Father of us all, who is over all. The same God who is at work in you is also at work in me. He's everywhere bringing good into this universe.
4:7-10
While we have all of this in common, each of us has received something unique and supernatural from Christ. This was spoken of in Psalm 68:18:
When He took His place at the very top of everything,
prisoners marched behind Him,
and He gave gifts to men.
Before He took back His place at the top of everything, He came here to earth, plain old terra firma. This same Man who walked among us now is at the very top, in charge of every atom and every spirit in the whole universe.
4:11-13
He's the One who picked out some to be church starting leaders, some to speak for God, some to specialize in bringing outsiders into the faith, some to lead churches and care for their people, some to teach God's people. Why? So that God's people can be ready to do God's work in order that all of God's people can be strengthened to reach bridge building, wall crashing unity in our faith and in our experiential understanding of the Son of God. This brings true maturity – when every dark corner of our heart is filled with the presence of Christ.
4:14
When we reach maturity, we will no longer be baby believers that get kicked around by the latest fads and deceived by crafty peddlers of lies who masquerade as teachers of truth.
4:15-16
Rather, as we package truth inside love, every part of us grows by getting better connected with the Head of the body (that is, Jesus). This is how it works: As we are connected to Him, we are connected to each other. As a result, we help each other grow, as we love each other, and carry out the unique assignments we each have been given.
4:17-19
So this is my instruction from the Lord: Don't live another minute like the outsiders. Their minds race, but their heads are empty. Why? Because the lights are out. Disconnected from God, they are dead zombies. They don't have a clue. And they won't get a clue either, because they slam the door on God and refuse to let Him into the vulnerable places in their hearts. Instead, they turn to moral impurity to medicate their pain. And, since that's not a real solution, they can never get enough.
4:20-24
But, you've discovered a better way; you have come to know Christ. Certainly you were taught who Jesus really is. With this knowledge, you don't need that old identity that twisted your soul with desires built on a foundation of lies. Instead, you now have a choice, a whole new frame of mind. You have a new identity created to be like God Himself: pure, set apart for good. Take it; it's yours!
4:25
With our new identity, we don't lie. Rather we speak the truth to each other because we're all in this together.
4:26-27
Sure, you will get angry. Everybody does. But don't let your anger turn into sin. Release it to God before the day ends. This is serious. Otherwise you open the door and invite the devil in.
4:28
Here's how the new identity works for anyone who steals. Instead of taking things away from people, learn the joy of earning your own living so you can give to people in need.
4:29
Let your very words be instruments of love to bring life, encouragement and growth to those around you. There's no room here for crass words.
4:30
Did you know that the Holy Spirit Himself has feelings? He hangs here with us until the very day we are taken into God's presence, when Christ's purchase of us is made complete. We don't want to grieve the Spirit who lives with us.
4:31
So surrender to God your hold on any and all bitterness, rage, anger and anything that goes with it: fighting, slander, every malicious thought.
4:32
Remember how God forgave you because Jesus died for you? Show the same kindness and compassion to your brothers and sisters. Forgive them when they wrong you.
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