The Old Life Has to Go!!!!!


                                  
Ephesians 4:25-32 (The Message)


25. What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.

26-27. Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.

28. Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.

29. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

30. Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.

31-32. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.


Lying, anger, stealing, being careful what comes out of our mouth, and unforgiveness, the list goes on and on. But in this passage we are told all these things grieve our Lord! Have you ever really thought about this? We try most of the time to not hurt any ones feelings by the things we say or the way we act, but when it comes to Jesus Christ, we are not so careful! Is it because we can't "see" Him that we just forget? As we learn more about Him and what He likes and dislikes, we develop a relationship with Him and I think at this point that we come to realize that we truly can grieve Him. When we think about He has done for us giving us the Ultimate sacrifice "His Son" making a way for us to be saved and live with Him forever, (you hear this often from me) but this is one of those face on the floor moments! Humbled and excited all at the same time. In the last part of verse 30, we are told to never take this gift for granted. A free gift, but a very costly gift on His part! As you read the passage again, realize that this is for our own good! Obedience on our part will cause growth, peace in our heart and a purpose for our life. The Scriptures were never meant to deprive us of anything but to live life to its fullest in Christ! We must be changing, all these things will never go away completely, we will always make mistakes and have sin in our life. But isn't He wonderful! He thought of that to! Our past present and future sins were all nailed to the Cross. We just need to ask for forgiveness and be truly sorry, then we are in right standing again. I pray these Scriptures bless your heart as they did mine. I am truly inadequate in relating the wonderful news about Jesus, but I just wanted to share with you today what is on my heart. I also pray you will have a wonderful weekend and Lords Day! Please check out Spiritual Sunday, you will be blessed by all the testimonies. http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/