talk the walk

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.  “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,  and do not give the devil a foothold.  He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Is it possible to do something good, only to spoil it with a bad attitude or angry outburst?  You bet! Been there – done that.
We’ve all heard the phrase “walk the talk” as a charge to us Christians to let our good deeds back up the good words we say about God.    This week’s passage, Ephesians 4:25-5:1 looks at the words/deeds partnership from the opposite angle.  Paul directs us to let our speech be consistent with our faith.
In last week’s passage, Ephesians 4:17-24, Paul wrote about living out of our new Christian identity instead of our old pre-Christian existence. This week’s text has an additional word about actions, the works of our hands.  In verse 28, Paul says that instead of using our hands to steal from others, we should put our hands to better use, working with them, and then opening them in generosity towards the needy.
But what of the person who works hard, but with a grumpy attitude?  What of the Christian who labors from 8-4:30, enjoying his co-workers, only to come home and treat his family badly? In this week’s passage, Paul says that our words as well as our deeds can reflect that we are God’s people.   How does this happen?   We live out of our new identity as God’s children, patterning our lives after Jesus, living lives of love with hope and energy drawing on his indwelling, unlimited power.
run to Sunday!

back to school

It’s been awhile – for various reasons – but now I am blogging again.

This week our kids go back to school.  Our two older kids will be in high school, one a junior and the other a freshman. Last week we went to Rio Mesa for freshman parents orientation, for academics and for the football program.  Trevor received jersey number 6 and has been practicing at wide receiver and defensive back.  Whatever playing time he gets will likely be at d-back.  The football program seems like it has the kids’ best interests at heart.

What most impressed me at the football meeting was listening to the coaches talk about training the boys to be better people as well as better players.  The head coach made the point that success, or at least effort, in school is a good predictor of success in life.  One thing I like about this high school is that the educators I have heard and met so far seem to really care about the kids, and go to great lengths to motivate them to learn not only the curriculum, but also life lessons that will help them to be successful people with healthy relationships.

The vast majority of choices high school students make have to do with their relationships.  Students live in relationship with parents, siblings, fellow students, and teachers; most choices they make are about those connections.

Center your life on the truth that is in Jesus verse 21
The most important thing about you is not what you do for a living, or how much money you make, or what clique you are in high school, or who your friends are – or  even your family background
The most important thing about you is that you are in Christ and Christ is in you.  We spend lots of time cultivating what is far less important – hobbies, reputation, image…
God wants us to make the effort – with the Spirit’s help – to cultivate Christ in our lives.  Seems like a pain – another religious thing to do – but it is amazing how once we take a step of faith – God id faithful to make it fun and interesting.  Take a step this week to cultivate your faith in Christ – and do it with someone else for it’s a lot more fun that way.  Try one or more of these ways of re-centering your life in Christ
Join a group of people who talk about Jesus
– encourage someone in their faith
get into a spiritual conversation
reach out in mission
pick up your Bible – cultivate Christ is the truth – the center  – of your life
Secondly in the school of Christ we are called to as Paul writes   Put off your old self, your former way of life  verse 22
As you make a new Christian habit, give an old pre-Christian habit to him – we’ve all got to deal with this – even pastors and elders and deacons
What is it that stops you form living out of that new Christian clothing that new identity God has given you in Christ
Is it grumpiness, rudeness, intolerance?
Deos your anger get the best of you?
Are you unable to see the other person’s point of view?
Do what others think of you matter more than living the Christian life?
Continually ask the Holy Spirit to renew your mind, that you might make wise relational and other kinds of decisions.
Put on the new self, living as Christians more and more each day, submitting our selves to Christ and His mission.
remember who you are – a baptized freshly clothed believer in Christ!
Give your faith away – no matter how young or old you are in Christ – part of your identity in Him is to serve as he served – so get out there and share the faith and life that God has given us in Christ
Serve in the church
Serve in the world

Friends – its time to go back to the school of Christ – to re-cloak ourselves in our Christian identity

more tomorrow….
run to Sunday!