Thursday, August 14, 2014

Ephesians 4: Christian Ethics

How should Christians live?  Paul's letter to the Ephesians contains solid teaching on living as a disciple of Jesus in a fallen world.

First, Paul says, "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (vs. 1).  He then goes on to give some specifics about what such a life looks like.

  • Be completely humble and gentle (vs. 2)
  • Be patient (vs. 2)
  • Keep the unity of the Spirit (vs. 3)
  • Become mature (vs. 13)
  • Put off the old self and put on the new self (true righteousness and holiness) (vs. 22-24)
  • Put off falsehood and speak truthfully (vs. 25)
  • Do not sin in anger or hold on to anger (vs. 26)
  • Do not give the devil a foothold (vs. 27)
  • Do not steal, but work usefully (vs. 28)
  • Do not speak unwholesome words, but build others up with beneficial words (vs. 29)
  • Do not grieve the Holy Spirit (vs. 30)
  • Get rid of such characteristics as brawling, rage, anger, bitterness, and malice (vs. 31)
  • Instead, be kind, compassionate, and forgiving (vs. 32)


I think there is enough on this list to keep us busy for a very long time.

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