...Just as Christ forgave us...

Brothers! Just got done being in the word - i continued with my daily devotions today and read Ephesians 4. It is such an encouraging passage. It hits home how we need to equip ourselves for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ, because without equipping ourselves (i.e. being involved in the body, praying, and getting in the word) we will be tossed around like waves by the craftiness of deceitful schemes in the world. We have to  put off our old self, which is our corrupt flesh, and be renewed in Christ by putting on the new self, which is created in the likeness of God. Now while we live in the new self we have put away falsehood (the desires of our flesh) and speak the truth to our neighbors for we are all part of the same body of Christ. (This is so encouraging, because it demonstrates that our evil desires are allows trying to attack us, but we must live in Christ, which is our new self. I believe that when Paul says we are speak truth to our neighbors we are to help them in their understanding of their ignorance of Christ and encourage them to rid themselves of their old self.)

Paul hits home some other points, like not giving any opportunities to the devil which is created by allowing anger to be carried over to the next day. We need to resolve our problems ASAP, forgiving each other just as Christ forgave us. And that we should let no corrupting talk come out of our mouths, but only that which is good for building each other up.

His servant -John