25 Therefore, after you have gotten rid of lying, Each of you must tell the truth to your neighbor[a] because we are parts of each other in the same body. 26 Be angry without sinning.[b] Don’t let the sun set on your anger. 27 Don’t provide an opportunity for the devil. 28 Thieves should no longer steal. Instead, they should go to work, using their hands to do good so that they will have something to share with whoever is in need.
29 Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth. Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say. 30 Don’t make the Holy Spirit of God unhappy—you were sealed by him for the day of redemption. 31 Put aside all bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil. 32 Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ.
5 Therefore, imitate God like dearly loved children. 2 Live your life with love, following the example of Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us. He was a sacrificial offering that smelled sweet to God.
Reflection
Note: this week’s devotionals are following the Revised Common Lectionary from the Vanderbilt website. This is typically a site that many Christian churches use to follow the weekly scripture and often where we look up bible verses.
During this week, I have been focused on the topic, “Bread of Life,” because it is a theme for several scriptures for this week. The title is both a name and function of God in our lives. Yet, with this particular scripture from Ephesians, I struggled to connect with the idea. So I read the scripture over and over and then it hits me; this scripture sounds like Paul’s summary of the Beatitudes.
The Beatitudes is perhaps Jesus’ most famous words and teachings. for example, Ephesians 4:25 says, “Each of you must tell the truth,” which sounds like reminding us that we are Blessed to be meek, or for “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteous“. Furthermore, when I read, “Put aside bitterness, losing your temper, (or) anger…” it sounds to me a lot like Blessed are the Peacemakers. The comparison is not a perfect match, but there are a lot of instructions that the apostle Paul is having us unpack throughout this text.
Likewise, when we think of Jesus teaching of the Beatitudes, we might also realize that there is a little something to unpack for everyone, in what may be regarded as the greatest sermon ever spoken. Certainly there is much to unpack in this scripture from Ephesians, too. Both are a virtual smorgasbord of topics.
The part that I find so captivating is the last part of this scripture, “imitate God, like dearly loved children. Live your life with love, following the example of Christ, who loved us and gave himself up for us.” Christ means to pull out all the stops and give us everything through himself. This is our own blessing, and there is nothing that has been held back from us.
God’s love is like a heavenly banquet, where God is not only hosting this joyful surprise, but because it is God’s self that is served, we are shared all that we need and more. Now I am not saying that we always get everything that we want in this earthly life, but only that God’s nourishment of our souls is complete and nothing is left out.
God’s table is like a smorgasbord of love: food that is so vast and so varied and always available. If we are in pain and cry out, God hears and cries with and for us. If we are in celebration, so too does God want to share our joys. When we long for a soft-spoken God, we might sit beside a quiet stream and hear God through the babbling brook in a wandering wood. And when we need to be angry, through God’s presence, we can share our dis-ease, but also be reminded that to use our anger against another is not God’s way. So taste and be filled. Know the complete service that our God has to offer you.
by Barbara Carlson
for Pondering & Prayer
I urge you to read again through Ephesians 4-5. Which parts are hard to swallow and why? Which parts are like a yummy snack and which parts are just delightful in your mouth?
Prayer: Holy Wonder, Thank you for all the ways you hear and know me and fill me up. Thank you for being the medicine I need and the wonderful taste in my mouth when I want to celebrate the life you have shared with me. Thank you for the many Bible verses that remind me to love like Jesus taught through his own example. Amen.
