Day 345

New Life in Christ

Read: Ephesians 4-6

Believing the truth about Christ must lead to new life in Christ. Paul always begins with doctrine and ends with ethics. This section begins with the words, “Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (4:1).

Since the church is the body of Christ, it must be united, which is only possible when we have “all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (4:2 ESV). The talents God has given the leaders of the church are “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (v. 12). Living the new life means forsaking the old life, that of the pagans (vv. 17-19).

Christ must have a profound effect on how we treat our marriage partner. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (5:25). If we really believe that Christ loved us sacrificially, that is the way in which husbands and wives are to love each other. Is that the kind of love you have?

Likewise, our faith will affect the way children treat their parents and the way parents treat their children. How much happier so many people would be if they put these teachings into practice. And our faith must affect the way employers and employees treat each other. Some of the final directives are “be strong,” “put on the whole armor of God,” and “pray at all times.”

PRAYER
Father, give us the grace to live lives consistent with the great things we claim to believe. In Christ. Amen.