SALVATION INCLUDES BECOMING A NEW PERSON WITH A NEW ATTITUDE

BIBLE PASSAGE:
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the 
calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, 
bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of 
the Spirit through the bond of peace. 
(Ephesians 4:1-3)

MEDITATION:
Paul tells the believing Ephesians (and all Christians) 
that when we are saved, it is a life-changing event for us.
The chains of sin have been broken and we are free to live a life 
that is more enriching for us, and more pleasant for those around us.
He tells us to live a life that is worthy of being a follower of Jesus Christ.

Paul gives us a few characteristics of a ‘worthy life’.
We should be ‘completely humble’ – that means we are humble at all times.
Whenever God blesses us in some special way that results in accolades from 
others, we still remain humble, rather than getting the ‘big head’.
We don’t flaunt our possessions to others and brag about our salary, 
or how much we contribute financially to God’s work.

We are also told to be ‘completely gentle’ – gentle at all times.
This requires a conscious effort on our part; 
it will not happen easily, or naturally (at least not initially).
From time to time, there are things that ‘jerk our chains’ 
and we have a natural desire to react in an unkind manner.
If we are the type of person who HAS to be in control, 
we will struggle with being gentle at all times.
Why? Because we want things our way, and when they are not, we get upset.

This is probably why Paul tells us to be patient.
Patience is the catalyst 
that helps us to become humble and gentle in all circumstances.
We live in a world of ‘right now’ gratification, 
so whenever we discipline ourselves to become more patient, 
we are swimming against the current of our culture.
How can we be successful in developing patience?
Paul says that ‘love’ is the key (“bearing with one another in love”).

When we read about Jesus, we see what love looks like.
If we are true followers of the Lord, 
then love needs to be an identifying characteristic of our Christian walk.
Look at the outward evidence of a person with an internal heart of love.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is 
not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not 
easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil 
but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, 
always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they 
will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is 
knowledge, it will pass away. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Paul tells us we should strive “to keep the unity of the Spirit”.
We cannot do that by living in a silo, without interaction with other believers.
They encourage us and we encourage them; 
we learn from them and they learn from us;
they show us love and we show them love; 
they bring us joy and we bring them joy.

Lastly, Paul tells us to maintain an attitude of peace.
We learn how to squelch our own anger, 
and develop a knack for defusing volatile situations when they arise.
Even within the church, some people can become dogmatic and unwilling 
to listen to another perspective about scripture interpretations.

As a result, a discussion can quickly turn into a heated debate, 
which overshadows the characteristics of a believer, 
and causes strained relationships.
The truth is, our Heavenly Father is a God of dispensation, 
and depending on what He wants to communicate to each person, 
He may provide different interpretations. 
Neither interpretation is wrong, they are just different.

ACTION:
Are you living a life worthy of the salvation you have received?
Can others see the changes in you and your demeanor? 
Do others know that you belong to the Lord without your saying a word about it?
Can others detect humility, gentleness, patience, and love in you?
Are these qualities visible at ‘all times’?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for providing me with a roadmap for living 
the life of a follower of Your Son, Jesus. I now realize that I have been 
negligent in allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work in me. Help me as I 
strive to develop the characteristics outlined in Your Word, so that my 
life will be enriched, and I will have a positive impact on others, including 
the lost souls who do not know You. Show me how to give others a glimpse 
of You through me.”