So let`s roll our sleeves, as we metamorphose becoming citizens of the heavenly kingdom each new day!
Our Highest Calling:
- There is one God and Father, who is above all, through all and in all of us. (4:6)
- There is one Lord, one faith and one baptism. (4:5)
- we are all called to be of one body, one spirit and one hope (4:4)
- Hence we need to be lowly, meek, long suffering and bear one another in love. (4:2)
- Aim to keep the unity of spirit with bonds of peace. (4:3)
The gift of grace:
- Jesus descended first into the lower parts of the Earth. (4:9)
- He led the captivity captive. (AMP Translation: He led a train of vanquished foes –i.e., defeating enemies, such as sin and death), ascended up to heaven and gave various gifts for men.(4:8)
- Jesus descended to the lower parts of the Earth and then ascended far above all the heavens so that he can fill all things. (4:10)
- According to this measure of gifts in Christ Jesus, he gives grace to every one of us(4:7)
Edification of the Church:
- God has made some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and some teachers. (4:11)
- This he does, for the work of the ministry, that we may be made perfect and for the body of Christ comprising of all of us, to be edified. (4:12)
- And also, that we may not be tossed to and fro, by every doctrine thrown at us by the sleight of men, that are waiting to deceive us. (4:14)
- God will keep apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers among us, till we are all united in faith, till we as one body, grow up into a perfect man in the knowledge of Christ and unto the stature that fits the fullness of Christ. (4:13)
- We need to speak the truth in love and grow up in Christ in all things. (4:15)
- Christ is the head of the body of the church. In him the whole body is fitly framed together and every joint is supplied. In him there is effectual working of each part and there is increase in the body edifying itself in love. (4:16)
The transformation:
- Hence, Paul testifies in the Lord, that we henceforth should not live a life, as people who do not know Christ, according to the vanity of our minds. (4:17)
- People who do not know Christ, their understanding are darkened. They are ignorant and hence are alienated to the life in Christ and their hearts are blind to the truth. ( 4:18)
- They have given themselves to lasciviousness and to work greedily all things that are morally impure. (4:19)
- But we have not learned to be like them from Christ (4:20)
- Hence we ought to conduct ourselves, the way we are taught by Christ and we have heard from him. The truth is in Jesus. (4:21)
- Paul urges us, to put off the old man that is corrupt and is filled with lust. ( 4:22)
- He urges us to be renewed in the spirit of our mind. He commends us to wear the new man that God has created, that which is holy and righteous. (4:23,24)
Putting on the new man:
- As we are of the same body, we should speak truth with each other and put away lying. (4:25)
- Do not sin when you are angry and give up your wrath before the sun come down. (4: 26)
- Do not give any place to the devil. (4:27)
- If we have stolen before, let us not steal. Paul urges us to labor with our hands that we can give to people in need. (4:28)
- Let no foul language proceed from our mouth, but speak words that are edifying and good, that may minister grace to the hearer. (4:29)
- The holy spirit of God is the seal of our redemption. Hence we should not grieve him. (4:30)
- Be away from all bitterness, anger, clamor, evil speaking and all malice. (4:31)
- Be kind to one another, tender-hearted and forgive others the way Christ for God`s sake forgave us. (4:32)
Dear Lord Jesus,
We come into your presence, believing that we are the redeemed saints inheriting the kingdom of heaven. Help us Lord, to put on the new man and leave behind all the activities of the old man. Dear Lord Jesus, help us to be transformed to become more like you as we move from glory to glory. Thank you Lord for cleansing us and making us whole. In jesus mighty name we pray…..Amen.
