Sometimes, people are not always nice. It makes me feel sad, frustrated and even angry at times. Paul tells us some hard truths about how we should behave. I want to pass over them, but I really need to hear them.
Once we believe in Jesus, we can no longer walk as other unbelievers walk. We need to take the high road, however difficult that may be. We can no longer rely on own mind and our understanding. We need to rely on God.
I have to remember where I used to be. I relied on my own understanding, instead of trusting in God. My understanding was darkened by what I could see, instead of getting wisdom from the one, true light in God. I looked around and only saw what was in front of me. I was ignorant, because I didn’t see all the power, peace and glory in the one that I cannot see, God. My heart was hard and blind to the truth of God.
Now that I know the glory of God, I cannot go back. I cannot behave how I once did. I have to swallow my pride, close my eyes and pray to God.
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart
–Ephesians 4:17-18 (NKJV)
Everyone gets angry. We can get angry, but we cannot sin. We have to pull ourselves back and forgive, so we don’t give the devil an opening into our hearts and minds.
“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”
— Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV)
When we feel anger rising within us, we need to push it all away. God can help us, sometimes its too much on our own. We not only have to push away our anger and evil speaking, we have to be kind. We have to forgive one another, because Christ forgave us. Christ forgave me, so I have to let go of the anger, not sin, not say unkind words and forgive.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
–Ephesians 4:31-32 (NKJV)
Now that know the light of Christ in my heart, I have to conduct myself worthy of the Gospel of Christ.
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ
–Philippians 1:27 (NKJV)
When people aim to harm us through words and actions, as hard as it may be, we have to let it go. We have to give all those thoughts to God. We have to conduct ourselves worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Embrace This Beautiful Life 