Intro: Today's devotion looks at Paul's instructions to the church at Ephesus: stay worthy in your calling.
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Observation:
Paul’s phrase, “prisoner of the Lord” sound ominous, at first, even confusing. Yet, I think he’s trying to describe how completely surrendered he is to God - that is as if he is a prisoner, with no will or choice of his own, but following God’s will fully. He then encourages the reader to walk in a worthy manner of their own call: in humility, gentleness, patience, showing tolerance, love, and preserving the unity of the Spirit in peace.
This is a lot to unpack, but these ways that Paul instructs us to walk are in fact, the fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
My understanding is that when I allow the Holy Spirit to be in charge of my life, His fruit will be evident through me. What are His fruits? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The fruit is evidence that God/Holy Spirit is in control of my life, not me. I’m completely surrendered over to His will, not my own. If the fruit is proof that God is in control of my life, then aren’t I walking in a manner that is worthy of His calling? I think this is what Paul is instructing those at Ephesus in today’s passage - walk in concert with the Holy Spirit and in doing so, you will walk in humility, gentleness, patience, love, and peace.
I don’t think the list of Spiritual fruit in Galatians is exhaustive and we see and the additional item listed in today’s passage that is not in Galatians: humility. If God, who is infinite, can provide us with a few fruits as evidence of His presence in our lives, then I think He can supply us with infinite fruit, if He so desires. We must stay faithful to
This is a lot to unpack, but these ways that Paul instructs us to walk are in fact, the fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
My understanding is that when I allow the Holy Spirit to be in charge of my life, His fruit will be evident through me. What are His fruits? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The fruit is evidence that God/Holy Spirit is in control of my life, not me. I’m completely surrendered over to His will, not my own. If the fruit is proof that God is in control of my life, then aren’t I walking in a manner that is worthy of His calling? I think this is what Paul is instructing those at Ephesus in today’s passage - walk in concert with the Holy Spirit and in doing so, you will walk in humility, gentleness, patience, love, and peace.
I don’t think the list of Spiritual fruit in Galatians is exhaustive and we see and the additional item listed in today’s passage that is not in Galatians: humility. If God, who is infinite, can provide us with a few fruits as evidence of His presence in our lives, then I think He can supply us with infinite fruit, if He so desires. We must stay faithful to
Application:
As I go about my daily walk I will be fully aware of God's presence. I will walk in a manner that is worthy of my calling: in humility and gentleness, with patience, tolerance, and love for others. I will keep my eyes on Him and my awareness of His Spirit within me to the point that I exhibit His fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
Prayer:
Papa,You are my God and I am Your child. Let me always be aware of Your presence and Your goodness and let that presence and goodness flow through me to all those around me.Amen.
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