God will set you free

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4: 1-3

Days ago, while driving, I passed by a store where I had purchased an item some months ago, and knowing that I needed the same item, I drove around to the store. Getting out of my car, I counted myself lucky that there was no one on the line, but as I approached the door, there were as many printed instructions on both the door and glass windows as there are in a deck of cards – don’t approach the door, stay in your car and so on and so forth. Wow! What a change in normalcy COVID-19 has made.

Thankfully, a very pleasant young man came to the door and I told him that I was not aware that one had to phone in their order, however, he got the item that I wanted to purchase. But yes, I needed that experience, as it ties in so beautifully with the text for today – following instructions, and how we are so pruned and steeped in our ways of ignoring instructions.

When we entered this world as babies, through the birth canal of our mother’s womb, we were already subjected to instructions given to her for our healthy arrival – do’s and don’ts as to what and what not to eat and drink. Many of the national, moral and spiritual ills that we are suffering today, are as a result of us not following guidelines for successful living. We ignore instructions as to attaining educational power, a healthy lifestyle, strengthening of family life, cultural enrichment, communal harmony and spiritual enlightenment.

It is interesting, though, that no one had the faintest idea that 2020 would be the year when this global village would be faced with a pandemic and forced to adhere to medical instructions brought on by it. Simple, yet powerful for survival – wash hands thoroughly, wear a face mask and observe social distancing.

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is concerned, first of all, with God’s plan to bring all creation together – everything in heaven and on earth with Christ as head. It is also an appeal to the people of God to daily live out the meaning of this great plan for the unity of the whole human race through oneness with Jesus Christ.

The theme of unity speaks of how Father God has chosen his people, and how they are forgiven and set free from their sins through Jesus Christ with the aid of the Holy Spirit.

With only six chapters in the book of Ephesians, in chapter four, Paul urges believers, “Be always humble, gentle and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another. Do your best to preserve the unity which the spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together. There is one body and one spirit, just as there is one hope to which God has called you. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; there is one God and father of all people, who is Lord of all, works through all and is in all.” – Ephesians 4:2-6

“In the Lord’s name, then, I warn you, do not continue to live like the heathen, whose thoughts are worthless and whose minds are in the dark. They have no part in the life that God gives for they are completely ignorant and stubborn. They have lost all feeling of shame; they give themselves over to vice and do all sorts of indecent things without restraint.” – Ephesians 4:17-19

“That was not what you learned about Christ. You certainly heard about him, and as his followers, you were taught the truth that is in Jesus. So, get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to – the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.” – Ephesians 4:20-24

“No more lying, then. Each of you must tell the truth to the other believers, because we are all members together in the body of Christ. If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day.” – Ephesians 4:25-26

“Don’t give the devil a chance. If you used to rob, you must stop robbing and start working in order to earn an honest living for yourself and to be able to help the poor. Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words – the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.” – Ephesians 4:27-29

“And do not make God’s Holy Spirit sad, for the spirit is God’s mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the day will come when God will set you free. Get rid of all bitterness, passion and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort.” – Ephesians 4:30-31

“Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.” – Ephesians 4:32

How very relevant the word of God is. What was good for the church at Ephesus thousands of years ago, is just as relevant for the church today. How sad it is when it is said of some in the Body of Christ who act contrary to Christ’s teaching that they are not going to change – so, get used to it!

Let us follow the Apostle Paul’s instructions, so there will be a resurgence of souls saved for the kingdom.

• E-mail haystreet241@gmail.com or rubyanndarling@yahoo.com. Write to P.O. Box 19725 SS Nassau, Bahamas, with your prayer requests, concerns and comments. God’s blessings.

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