Living in the Spirit

August 5, 2021

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:25-5:2

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

The heading supplied by the editors in the Bible I use described these verses as Rules for the New Life. Paul is giving instructions to new Christ-followers who live in a culture of idol worship and all kinds of mixed messages about the best way to live. We probably need to read this list from that perspective and that time in history. It is interesting, however, that it mirrors the human condition throughout time, including today. For example, I find it interesting that we celebrated the poliovirus but think our freedom is being taken from us if we take the COVID vaccine or wear a mask to curb its spread.

Here is a shorthand list of the Rules for the New Life Paul sent to the Ephesians, all good advice for today.

Be angry but do not let the sun go down on our anger
Do not steal
Labor and work so we will  have something to share with the needy
Let no evil talk come out of our mouths
Let our words give grace to those who hear
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit
Put away bitterness, wrath, anger, wrangling, slander, and all malice
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving
Be imitators of God—live in love

What would we need to add to this list for our time? I also wonder what grieves the Holy Spirit.  All the things listed are no doubt nuisances to the Holy Spirit. So what are we doing that breaks God’s heart?

Prayer: Lord, heal our souls so that we do not waste our time on foolish things as we strive to be imitators of God living in love. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.