seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Ephesians 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Here's the link to the commentary.And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another: The new man seeks to show the same kindness, tender heartedness and forgiveness to others that God shows him. If we treat others as God treats us, we fulfill every thing Paul told us to do in this chapter.
Well, I've heard it preached both ways. Some like to call out all the hate we do, and dwell on how horrible we are.... and some like to tug on the positivity these verses bring. At any rate, it's rich that a man who could watch another man be beaten to death and can claim to know how to live. We've lost all sensitivity to horrible. If a man slices a baby's throat on live television, we tune to the riot and claim the murderer must be "forgiven". If a man is found beating a woman, we don't intervene anymore because "it's none of our business". If a woman kisses another woman, we send them to the streets to be stoned, while back in the days of Jesus, stoning would include all the adulterers, even the preachers.
Back in the days of Jesus, abortion was unheard of. Women were "engaged" or "betrothed" as children, to avoid getting pregnant before the marriage vows were given. There was no abortion. In the Book of Esther we learned that women had to "wait" a year in order to avoid one man raising another man's baby.
In the days of Paul.... Christians were beaten to death or imprisoned.
Paul says, Christians are required to be kind. It's "how" you are a Christian.
I say.... as a Christian, you have a desire to be kind.
Paul, the Greco Roman Jew, taught "order".
Jesus, the Son of God, taught "Love".
Paul had the nerve to teach right from wrong. He stood by and did nothing at the murder of the Disciple Stephen, and now he's telling us how to "be kind".
Jesus stopped the stoning of an unknown adulterer.
Christians are not required to show love. Christians have a desire to show love.
From Paul... These verses are rich!
Paul presents "Instructions for Christian Living".
