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Not SO But Because

by Justin Smith on June 08, 2022

Scripture

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Observation

In this letter to the Ephesian Church, Paul lays out for his readers the amazing gifts God has freely given them. He lays out how God has blessed them with:

  • Every spiritual gift
  • Choosing them to be His own
  • Grace and forgiveness for their sins
  • His power at work in them

And in chapter 4 Paul adjusts his focus from what God has already done to what they should  now do in response. Paul calls for their attention with the word “Therefore” which, in one powerful word, simultaneously reminds them of all he just taught and now draws their attention forward to what they must do...“walk in a manner worthy of the calling...”. God called them, and now Paul tells them to live their lives, make their choices, and take their steps all in thankful response to that calling. The key isn’t paying God back or earning His love but responding in gratitude. 

Paul tells them to respond by walking in humility, gentleness, patience and unity, not SO God loves them but BECAUSE He loves them.

Application

If we aren’t careful the Bible can seem like a bunch of rules, a bunch of expectations, and a bunch of requirements that come with consequences, but we must not forget the THEREFORE! You see, the “therefore” reminds us that He already showed His love, He already gave His freedom, and He already granted His grace. “Therefore” reminds us that He already chose us, He already sent His Son, who already laid His life down, and already paid our debt toward sin. “Therefore” reminds us that He already blessed us with every spiritual gift and He is pouring out His power in our lives which allows us to now respond in grateful obedience and submission.

“Therefore” points us to His love not His law, and it’s in response to that love that the gratitude flows, the trust grows, and the obedience goes.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for the love, the grace, the forgiveness You have already given. Thank You for choosing us and for calling us to you in our unworthy state. Now, please help us to respond to Your gifts in gratitude by choosing to live in obedience to Your Word. In my heart, may my gratitude flow, may my trust grow, and may my obedience go that I might live to honor You. In Your name, Amen!

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