Walk in a Manner Worthy of The Calling

4:1-6  Always in the Sight of God…

• Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, being Gentle – Patient – Kind – Tolerant; loving one another in the perseverance of Spiritual unity; binding us together in peace.

• Attendance last Lord’s Day was marvelous; I pray this habit soon becomes commonplace for all.  We are one body – needing community over virtuality.

• Being humble never means to think less of yourself; it means to think of yourself, less.

4:7-10  Christ Conquered Death – His and ours…

• We don’t attain grace on our own merit, but by a gift through Christ.  Jesus has conquered the Power of Death; it stings no more.

• For all of us, ‘work’ ceases at death.  How reassuring that this is not the case for Jesus.  ALL who died leading up to Christ found themselves in Sheol (Hades); comforted, or tormented.  A sort of captivity, Christ freed those in Paradise; leading them to the heavenly realm.

4:11-13  Christ’s Provision…

• Jesus continues to work for those still remaining on earth.  He equips His church for all sorts of service that each of us performs according to our gifts; for the building up of the Body of Christ.  This work of service is ongoing, until all have come to know Christ.  Happy are the feet that bring the good news of Jesus.

4:14-16  Grow Up…

• When we were children, we acted like children; we reasoned like children.  How easily we seemingly slip back into childish ways; being swayed by the lies screamed at us by this world - when truth only needs a whisper.

• Be on guard when someone, or some group, screams their truth at you – it’s almost always a lie.  

4:17-19  Recognize the World is Evil…

• There are only two groups of people that ever exists; those belonging to God, and the World.  ‘Gentiles’ describe those worldly individuals who walk in the futility of their minds.  Their ignorance isn’t a result of not knowing the truth, but rather the hardness of their hearts.  

• Recognize them by their lack of empathy.

4:20-24  Let it Lay…

• Whenever we disagree with others, we didn’t learn to be rude and unfeeling, in Christ.  Instead, we’re to consider their concerns more important than our own.

• At baptism, we only ‘put away’ or ‘lay aside’ our old-self.  Our old-self is still within arms-reach.

• We need always ensure our new walk continues in the likeness of God.

4:25-32  Play Nice…

• It’s okay to disagree on worldly matters, but not to burden of unity in the church.  Be angry without sinning; keeping that anger short-lived.

• Our discussions (verbal or written) should always be wholesome and edifying; building up one another.  When we do otherwise, we grieve the Holy Spirit.

• I stand in awe that the same power that spoke the universe into existence dwells inside us.

• So, walk in a manner worthy of the calling each of us has in Jesus Christ, alone.