- Ephesians 4:1-3 KJV
The Biblical principle for living the Christian life is quite simply stated: The believer puts into daily practice the principles of the Word of God by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
In order to live a balanced Christian life there must be good sound Biblical teaching. I have never seen any mature Christian who did not have a good understanding of the teaching of the Word of God. Practice without sound Bible teaching will go off in any and every direction. We can never attach too much importance to solid Biblical doctrine. How can a Christian live a life worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ if he does not know what the Christian life is all about? At the same time we must never detach the importance of putting into practice what we understand to be true.
How then do we live a life worthy of our calling? The Christian life is not the same thing as the culturally accepted norms of the local community in which we live. The world is antagonistic to the Christian life (1 John 2:15-17). God has called us “out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9b KJV). How tragic when you can’t tell the difference between the standards of the culture and the local church.
We were spiritually bankrupt, emotionally in bondage, and morally corrupt. However, when we were saved God awakened us to a new life and gave us the power to live that new life. We are now spiritually alive. “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Eph. 2:5 KJV)
The apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor 5:17 KJV)
Therefore, the apostle Paul admonishes us to, “Be completely humble.” That is the opposite of arrogance and self-assertion. The world tells us to stand up for your rights. Be assertive. Demand respect. The Bible says, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Phil. 2:3 KJV). The world philosophy pulls in one direction, the Holy Spirit insists on another. Do you put other people’s needs and interests before your own? Are you out for number one?
We need to be gentle with people. The word Paul uses for “gentle” is power under control. “Meek” doesn’t quite give the sense of the original. The gentle person is a strong person under God’s control. This is what it means to be a Spirit filled. The Spirit filled believer is a Spirit-controlled person. Jesus was this kind of a person, and he set the example for us. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matt. 11:29 KJV). “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5 KJV). That will be true because all who are not will kill themselves off in power struggles.
We must be patient. Literally it means “long-tempered.” It is the attitude that will never give in when the going gets tough. It sticks with it and reaps the rewards. It is the attitude that never admits defeat in disappointments and discouragement, but persists to the end. It is the attitude that refuses to retaliate, bears insults and injury without bitterness and complaint.
Patience comes over a long time of suffering. I doubt if anyone is patient who has never suffered physically, emotionally or spiritually in life. We learn patience through the things we suffer (Rom. 5:3). God is very patient with us and we need to become like him.
“Forbearing one another in love” (Eph. 4:2b KJV) is how we respond to the unloving behavior of other Christians toward us. How do we “put up with one another”? What is our typical response when other people do us evil? What is my attitude when I see two Christians having problems in their relationships? What is my attitude toward problems in a church? Do I do as Paul suggests here, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”? (v. 3 KJV)
Paul is saying the Holy Spirit has already given us this unity when we put our faith in Christ. We are not called upon to create this unity, but to “keep the unity.” Pride destroys this unity in the Spirit. Over powering self-assertion destroys vital relationships with other believers. Being short-tempered, rude and non-extending our love to those who act ugly to us destroys all effort at keeping this “unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Churches grieve the Holy Spirit just as individuals do (Eph. 4:30-31). Let’s be determined to “walk in the Spirit” and keep ourselves under his control.
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