Ephesians 4:17, 32 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. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

I could preach on just about any verse in Ephesians, and this passage is certainly no exception. It starts with a negative comment that we really need to take to heart. Most people don’t think in terms of “Jews” and “Gentiles,” since the vast majority of the world’s population is not Jewish, so it is more helpful to us today to think in terms of “the people of God” and “those who are not the people of God.” In fact, the Japanese term for “Gentiles” is “people without the Law,” and that is actually a pretty good translation of Paul’s usage. We aren’t talking physical genetics here, we’re talking spiritual lineage. The point is, most of the world doesn’t live in obedience to God’s law. As verse 17 says, such a way of life is futile and empty, because it doesn’t lead to God, it leads to death. We often hear people defend their actions with, “It’s only natural,” but someone seeking God isn’t to be satisfied with that. To the Corinthians, Paul said that we aren’t to act like “mere men.” (1 Corinthians 3:3) Because we have so little grasp of what it is to live as a child of God, here and in all his letters Paul gives various practical pointers. If we are honest, a lot of these hit pretty close to home, because much of the time we really do act like “mere men.” The clincher in this particular passage is verse 32, that speaks of our interaction with one another. This area causes a lot of us a lot of trouble! Someone said, “I love mankind, it’s people I can’t stand!” We can relate rightly to those around us only if we are aware of how much God has forgiven us, and then allow the grace we have received to flow out to those around us. Forgiveness is a huge issue, and especially so in Japan, as I am reminded frequently. We cannot really forgive if we won’t acknowledge our own need for forgiveness before God. However, if there is genuine repentance, then we receive forgiveness and can, and certainly should, extend that forgiveness to those who have wronged us. A life that is grounded in repentance and forgiveness is on a firm foundation!

Wow! Once again I’ve been given a very clear exposition of a vital point in Christian living. However, I must not think that just because I can articulate it, that means I’ve perfected it. I’m just as much in need of God’s sustaining grace as anyone else. At the same time, since I can articulate it, I am accountable to God for sharing His truth with others, so that we may walk in it together. That includes sermons, daily conversations, and writing, which is an area I’m just getting into. I am not to spout off out of my own imagination or intellect, but in all humility allow God to speak through me, not just transmitting but listening carefully to what He says. After all, if I’m not living it out, I’m just fooling myself! (James 1:22)

Father, thank You for this clear Word, and the reminder of what I’m to do with it! Thank You for the many opportunities You do give me to speak Your truth into people’s lives. Thank You for getting me going in the area of publication. I pray that moment by moment I would be completely obedient to You, so that Your Word through me would accomplish everything for which You send it, for the benefit of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!