Ephesians 4.17-32 (7)
Pray Psalm 132.13-18.
For the LORD has chosen Zion;
He has desired it for His dwelling place:
“This is My resting place forever;
Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
I will abundantly bless her provision;
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
I will also clothe her priests with salvation,
And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
There I will make the horn of David grow;
I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.
His enemies I will clothe with shame,
But upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”
Sing Psalm 132.13-18.
(Finlandia: Be Still, My Soul)
God dwells among us, and He will forever,
to meet our needs and clothe us with His grace.
He has to us sent Jesus Christ, our Savior—
Beloved, eternal light and resting place.
His foes are banished from His Presence ever,
but we shall reign with Him before His face.
Read Ephesians 4.17-32; meditate on verse 20.
What does it mean to “learn” Christ?
Preparation
1. In what ways are believers different from the world?
2. What has the Spirit done in us?
Meditation
The Christian life is one of being transformed, and that on two planes. First, we are transformed from death to life, “sealed for the day of redemption” by a work of the Spirit of God which is entirely of grace (v. 30). In this work of transformation, we are forgiven of our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ (v. 32) and made an entirely new person “in true righteousness and holiness” (v. 24). This first and permanent transformation is received by faith, which itself is a gift of God (2.8, 9). God by His Spirit destroys the alienation that existed between us (v. 18) and teaches us the Good News of Jesus and His Kingdom (v. 20). We are wholly and permanently transformed.
But that’s just the beginning. Christian transformation is like a spiral staircase that expands as it ascends, and on every step of which we learn Jesus in new depths of presence and power. And we become more like Him, always shedding the old person we used to be (vv. 22-25, 29, 31) and picking up the garments and adornments of the new person which we find as we ascend (vv. 26-32).
The Holy Spirit is our Escort, Docent, Teacher, Tailor, and Strength as we ascend into more of the righteousness of Jesus. We must be careful not to grieve Him or otherwise hinder His work in our lives (v. 30), for He is making us more and more like Jesus, the more we submit to Him and His Word (2 Cor. 3.12-18). He has transformed us and continues transforming us for greater goodness, grace, and love (vv. 24, 29, 32). One step at a time.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
To become more like Jesus is the goal of every Christian; and throughout our lives, in Christ, we are given opportunities for growth—employing the mind of Christ—that may appear difficult, but in the end produce the desired result.
One of those extraordinary opportunities is this:
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4.32).
“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matt. 6.12).
Loving and forgiving those who have wronged us and caused us pain.
David, the psalmist, struggled with this same opportunity for growth—not unlike we do.
“Fierce witnesses rise up; they ask me things that I do not know.
They reward me evil for good, to the sorrow of my soul.
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth;
I humbled myself with fasting; and my prayer would return to my own heart.
I paced about as though he were my friend or brother;
I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother.
But in my adversity they rejoiced and gathered together;
attackers gathered against me, and I did not know it;
they tore at me and did not cease;
with ungodly mockers at feasts
they gnashed at me with their teeth” (Ps. 35.11-16).
You get his drift. He was being persecuted by those to whom he had shown great kindness and concern.
Paul experienced this same opportunity:
“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. But be that as it may, I did not burden you” (2 Cor. 12.15).
And of course Jesus, everywhere He turned, someone He had shown love to was trying to kill Him, while His dearest friends were betraying and deserting Him. And yet. “God in Christ forgave” them and “forgave” us.
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5.8).
And this is what we have been called to do to put off the old, put on the new, and be transformed.
Show exceeding great love to others and forgive them when they don’t appreciate it, or care. Or worse.
Happily, we will have no shortage of these kinds of opportunities for growth.
God, in His great kindness, and wisdom, has added an incentive to His human children:
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written,
‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore
‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink;
for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12.19-21; Prov. 25.21, 22).
It is a win/win.
We are transformed. Our enemies are forgiven—as God has forgiven us.
Heaps of coals may be lovingly placed; and God will take care of vengeance and judgment.
“And the LORD will reward you” (Prov. 25.22). And hearts will be changed.
Who can ask for anything more?
Reflection
1. Why is it so important that Christians work hard at growing in the Lord?
2. What are some things that can hinder your growth in the Lord?
3. Whom will you encourage today to continue growing in the Lord?
That government which Christ has appointed for the edification of his church has now been considered. He next inquires what fruits the doctrine of the gospel ought to yield in the lives of Christians; or, if you prefer it, he begins to explain minutely the nature of that edification by which doctrine ought to be followed. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Ephesians 4.17
Pray Psalm 132.8-10.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to transform you into the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Pray for opportunities to serve the Lord in goodness, grace, and love throughout the coming day.
Sing Psalm 132.8-10.
(Finlandia: Be Still, My Soul)
Arise, O LORD, come to Your resting place;
Your holy Presence meet with us in might.
Clothe us with righteousness in Jesus’ grace,
and we will shout to Your divine delight!
For David’s sake, turn not away Your face,
but look upon us in Your holy light.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we wrap-up our discussion of the Biblical teaching on justice. Our Read Moore podcast is working through The Gospel of the Kingdom, looking for the true Gospel of the Lord. The Crosfigell teaching letter continues our study of the life of Brigit, a contemporary of Brendan. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
