By Mavis M. duCille
Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:17-32
Ephesians 4 seems to be a chapter we should read every day, because it tells us about the Church and our position in the Body of Christ. Let us read from this chapter, starting with Verse 17 and going down to the end of it:
“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:” (Now, not the blindness of their eyes, but the blindness of their heart.) “Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” (Now, here is our qualification: “Putting off the former conversation, because they were born of deceitful lusts.”) “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.“
He is speaking to us as the Church. It is to the “called out” ones! It is where we are supposed to be! It is what we are supposed to be exercised in! It is what we are supposed to be walking in, day after day!
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”
This is not giving license to anger. I don’t know, I have often thought of it—how can a person be angry and not sin? Because anger is a fruit of the flesh! Anyway, it says, “be ye angry and sin not….” Do not give way to the spirit of anger that comes upon you, but rather rebuke it.
“Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let ALL bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.“
“Forgive us our sins [trespasses] as we forgive those who sin [trespass] against us.” (Luke 11:4)
I saw a vision one time in a meeting of two people standing – one on one side of a room and another on the other side. And there was something between them for which they could not come together. I knew that it was a situation that existed among us. Therefore if there is one person in the building, or in the group, or among your family, that you cannot freely from your heart greet and meet with that feeling of love and oneness, make it right! Make it right! Because unless it is made right, it says in the Word that there is blindness in your heart.
Keep the channels clear. Husbands and wives, keep the channels clear. If you do not keep the channels clear, your whole family suffers. Your whole life is in trouble. Keep the channels clear that God might bless you, your family, and the Church!
Whatever happens at home, the Church is affected by it; and that is why God gives certain qualifications for elders in the Word. I believe the elders should read the qualifications in their home—constantly—that they might be reminded of the responsibility they have before the Lord and not just come to church and be called an elder. It is a great responsibility. There is a great responsibility as a husband and a father, and unless there is that freedom and oneness and truthfulness one to another, then your light is dulled and your life is no longer a shining star that will give light and life.
(Excerpt from The Omega Message, July 2000)
Thought for today: Let us keep our channels clear and let there be freedom and oneness and truthfulness one to another so that our lives may be a shining star that gives light and life.
Sonlight Devotional 