Day 269 Bible Readings – Ephesians 4: 29 (ESV)

Isaiah 63-54, Isaiah 65: 1-16, Ephesians 4: 17-32, Psalm 143

Ephesians 4: 29 (ESV)

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Verse 29 from Ephesians 4 shows Paul’s advice to the Church of Ephesus on how to conduct yourself as a person who is born again as a believer in Christ. Paul reminds us to make sure what comes out of mouth and watch our tongue. As a person of faith, we need to make that what comes out of our mouth will build people up, and not put them down. What we say needs to fit the occasion and give grace to the people who hear us. Frederick Fyvie Bruce wrote in his bible commentary on Ephesians that corrupting talk means “Not only obscene vulgarity but slanderous and contemptuous talk.”

Paul’s words are such good advice on how to get along with people, but also how to behave in a relationship. When I read these words, they remind me of the advice marriage therapists give to people who want to stay married. Do your words to your spouse build them up? Do they give grace to your spouse? Are your words to your spouse always kind? These are great questions to ask when thinking about how you communicate not only to your spouse, your best friend, a family member, or even random strangers. If we want to behave more like a person of faith, we need to think about what comes out of our mouth and follow Paul’s recommendations.

Day 268 Bible Readings – Ephesians 4: 1-3 (ESV)

Isaiah 60-62, Ephesians 4: 1-16, Psalm 142

Ephesians 4: 1-3 (ESV)

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

In verses 1 through 3 from Ephesians 4 Paul writes to the Church at Ephesus that since God called us, we need to lead our lives in a manner worthy of this calling. Paul tells us to have humility and gentleness, and to be patient. As people of faith, we need to always treat ourselves and other people with love in our minds so we can maintain peace and unity.

In the NKJV version of verse 2, the words are translated as “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love”. In the Enduring Word bible commentary on verse 2, the word “lowliness” can mean “that we can be happy and content when we are not in control or steering things our way.” I like this interpretation because I feel that in our obedience to God, we need to be happy and content to let God have control. But let’s face it, giving God control in how we deal with other people can be so hard. But to have peace in mind and in our world, I think we need to always ask God “what do you want to me do in this situation”.  And then we need to follow what God says if we want peace, even if it seems contrary to how we would handle the situation. God has a plan and can see things we cannot, so if peace is our goal then we need to do what God says in everything.

Day 267 Bible Readings – Isaiah 59: 1-2 (ESV)

Isaiah 57: 14-21, Isaiah 58-59, Ephesians 3, Psalm 141

Isaiah 59: 1-2 (ESV)

“Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”

Verses 1 and 2 from Isaiah 59 talks about why prayers are sometimes unanswered by God. When we sin and do not repent, we create a separation between ourselves and God. The separation is not on God’s part, but on ours. Our guilt separates us from God. The same thing happens when we quarrel or lie to someone we love. The quarrel or lie makes us feel guilty and the next time we see or interact with that loved one, our guilt becomes like a wall between us and the other person. We feel embarrassed to talk to them, or there is an awkwardness like how Adam and Eve felt after they at the apple and God called to them. If we do not talk about the awkwardness to confess the lie to the other person, the wall becomes bigger, and we no longer feel comfortable around them and avoid them.

We behave the same with God. If we do not repent of our sins, we will feel awkward with God. We might still pray to God, but that wall of guilt and sins will always be there. Deep down we will not feel worthy to have our prayers answered. But if we repent and tell God of our sins and ask for forgiveness the wall will disappear and God will be there ready to forgive and answer our prayers.

Day 266 Bible Readings – Ephesians 2: 8-10 (ESV)

Isaiah 55-56, Isaiah 57: 1-13, Ephesians 2, Psalm 140: 6-13

Ephesians 2: 8-10 (ESV)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

In verses 8 through 19 from Ephesians 2, Paul writes to the Church at Ephesus that we must remember that because of our faith we are saved. We are not saved by anything we do or by our good works. Grace is a gift from God that is given to us because of faith in Jesus Christ. God created us so we can be adopted to him through our faith in Christ, to do good works to fulfill his plan for earth.

When I read these verses, I know that nothing I do will grant me God’s grace. I cannot by the sheer force of my human will get into heaven. I cannot get into heaven by tithing to the church, by doing many good deeds I do, or by following God’s law. It doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t tithe, do good deeds, or follow God’s laws. I am only saved by God’s grace. There is also a sense of relief because I do not need to be perfect to be saved. I don’t have to freak out because I sometimes fail to do the things I know I am supposed to do or have non-Godly thoughts. As long I keep trying and repent when I do not measure up and never lose my faith in Christ, God’s grace will be given to me.