Ephesians 4 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

Ephesians 4:7

But to each one of us, grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

 

Grace, for me, can be one of the hardest things to accept at times. I know I need it, I know I can’t earn it, and I know it’s a gift, but yet it’s hard to receive. Grace is what saves us through our faith, but why is it so hard to walk in (Ephesians 2:8-9)?

 

One thing the Lord has taught me is that both ends of the spectrum can be dangerous! On one end, we can abuse grace and live life however we want as if there isn’t a standard to live by. Then, on the other end, we walk around in condemnation and basically saying that Christ’s blood wasn’t enough! We can think we’re not good enough or that what we did was far too bad to be forgiven, which just isn’t true! Both of these views of grace can be deadly to your walk with the Lord!

 

Yesterday, I was at breakfast with my mom and felt like the Lord wanted me to go say something to someone, but I chickened out, and I left the restaurant feeling pretty low. I repented, and He forgave me, but I still carried that burden with me until this morning when He reminded me that His grace is sufficient and that yes, I sinned but that it didn’t separate me from Him!

 

I don’t have to be perfect because He already is, and He gave Himself for you and me! That being said, I want to walk as closely to Him and His commands as possible because there is no place else I would rather be! Grace = freedom! Let grace be a lifestyle, not an excuse to do whatever you want, nor a trap to trample on the Blood of Christ! If we are not walking in grace, then we are walking over top of it or away from it, and trust me, neither of those is from the Lord! Grace is the Lord’s free gift to you, so accept it and walk in His freedom today!

 

Romans 6:14 - For sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under the law but under grace.

 

God bless! I love you all! Praise, Glory, and Honor now and forever to Papa God, King Jesus, and the Holy Spirit! 

 

 

Ephesians 4:15

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.

I want to share a thought with you from this morning's quiet time with the Lord. This verse tells us that speaking the truth in love helps the body to grow, but what's the opposite of that? If we're not speaking the truth in love, then are we excusing the sin in fear? And if speaking the truth in love brings growth, does excusing the sin in fear bring decay? Fear that people might reject us? Fear that they might label us judgmental or better than thou? Fear they might post something about us on social media? Fear they may reject and leave the church? If they are only in the building and not part of the family, then we are failing them already. We are called to speak the truth in love because that is what sets people free, not tiptoeing around the issues and saying God knows my heart. Look what the LORD told Jeremiah:

(NLT) Jeremiah 26:2,3-"This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard in front of the Temple of the LORD, and make an announcement to the people who have come there to worship from all over Judah. Give them my entire message; include every word. Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways. Then I will change my mind about the disaster I am ready to pour out on them because of their sins.

We don't know what may change or sway someone's heart, but the Lord does, and He knows that it's not necessarily the easy way but the truth spoken in love that can do it! We are crippling ourselves and those around us by pacifying and ignoring sin. Does this mean we walk around pointing fingers and condemning? Absolutely not, but we should be teaching, preaching, sharing, living, and revering the Word of God. I believe that if we took 1 Corinthians 13 (the love chapter) and applied that love in sharing the Word of God, things would start to change, and more and more people would be set free, redeemed, and reconciled to the Father!

(NLT) 1 Corinthians 13:2- If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains but didn't love others, I would be nothing.

God bless! I love you all, but His love restores! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!

 

 

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

 

Jesus has to be our example for everything. We love because He first loved us. We must forgive because He first forgave us. I believe everything that doesn’t flow from the heart of Christ is sin. If I forgive you for any other reason than that Christ forgave me and that’s what He calls us to do, then it comes from pride, fear, or some other sin area in my life. We serve because He first served us! It starts with Him, then flows through us to bless those around us. We are forgiven because Christ chose the Cross over Himself. I believe to truly do good to those around us with the right heart motives, it has to flow from Christ within us!

 

Be vulnerable, Be bold, and remember, half-surrender is no surrender at all. Jesus wants all of you. Be honest with Him and allow Him to change your life and the lives of those around you!!! Thank You, Lord!

 

I love you all!!!! God bless and Glory to God Almighty, The Risen King Jesus, and our Counselor and Comforter the Holy Spirit!!!!