How A child Of God Should Act

REFERENCE: Ephesians 4:1-3 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Observation: What is our calling? To be a child of God. That is really something to live up to!! So how do we live up to such a wonderfully high calling?

o       Be humble. Refuse pride in all of it’s forms.

o       Be gentle. Treat each other with tenderness and love.

o       Be patient. Be willing to suffer a long time with those who frustrate you.

o       Allow for the fact that we all have faults and be willing to live with other’s.

o       Work for unity and peace with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Application/Confession: Of all of these the one I struggle with the most is being gentle. I am, by nature, a straight forward and direct person. I tend to say what is on my mind. I am learning, especially with my wife, that this approach to “the truth” must be mixed with love and gentleness. Since my calling is even more than just being a Christian, it is being a pastor, leader and teacher. I have a responsibilty to do all of these things even more than others.

PRAYER: Lord, teach me to be kind and gentle. Remind me to mix the truth I express with love as You would have me do.