A passage from Ephesians for you all. So what do you think, what don't you understand? As you read, what challenges you? What shapes you? Let me know!
17So 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. 18They 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. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin"[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29Do 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. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 5
1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
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5 comments:
Do we as Christians have a distinctive christian worldview?
(I think Paul uses the term 'Gentiles' to mean non- Christians)
This is relevant to Western society today.
Have people in the West hardened their hearts to God?
Do Christians harden our hearts to the need and suffering around us?
Are we focused on our own needs and feelings (sensuality) or the needs/feelings of others (sensitivity)? Are we focused on ourselves or others? My rights or yours?
The image of God grieving for me (v30) makes me want to change but is this by my own will or with the help of God's holy spirit?
Not sure of the distinction between righteousness ( a good old English word that does really get used today) and Holiness - what is the difference?
What does it mean to grieve the Holy Spirit, if it is to sin we must do this all the time as the Holy Spirit progressively reveals to us new areas and new levels of darkness in our lives where it shines it light - so what does this mean and what is the consequence?
What is the application?
Foriveness? Why is it so hard to say sorry particularly before the end of the day when the anger is still fresh and driving the emotions? Is forgiveness something that we do at home and at work, does the Holy Spirit help? Given that we find it so hard it makes the gift of grace even more amazing. There is the great tale of Corrie Ten Boom asked to shake hands with one of the concentration camp guards and willing herself to do it consciously but asking the Holy Spirit to provide the rest. An example of suddenly facing the reality of having to live out all the talk of forgiveness and following willful submission being equiped to do so.
Is the move from the old self to the new obvious in the way we live our lives and the things that motivate us in our journey from sensuality to sensitivity or are we always a muddy mix of part old and new as we move along our journey?
Are we truthful in what we say in all situations and are there justifications for phrasing in a policitally sensitive way - given the journey to sensitivty.
If we are all one body does this just mean the faithful or everyone - presumbly the latter and not the former?
What is the application?
Foriveness? Why is it so hard to say sorry particularly before the end of the day when the anger is still fresh and driving the emotions? Is forgiveness something that we do at home and at work, does the Holy Spirit help? Given that we find it so hard it makes the gift of grace even more amazing. There is the great tale of Corrie Ten Boom asked to shake hands with one of the concentration camp guards and willing herself to do it consciously but asking the Holy Spirit to provide the rest. An example of suddenly facing the reality of having to live out all the talk of forgiveness and following willful submission being equiped to do so.
Is the move from the old self to the new obvious in the way we live our lives and the things that motivate us in our journey from sensuality to sensitivity or are we always a muddy mix of part old and new as we move along our journey?
Are we truthful in what we say in all situations and are there justifications for phrasing in a policitally sensitive way - given the journey to sensitivty.
If we are all one body does this just mean the faithful or everyone - presumbly the latter and not the former?
shabbadabba
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