Minister Grace

There are many today who do understand how to rightly divide the word of truth, yet they find themselves not following their pattern in all ways.  Paul gives us a tremendous look at how we are to apply our understanding in Ephesians 4.  We put this together along with his own commentary to Ephesians in Colossians, where he says, as we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.  We have Paul as a pattern, so we should see how he suggests we live.

Ephesians  4:20-32

But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  Neither give place to the devil.  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

There are many who treat folks outside of dispensationalism as though they are completely stupid, forgetting they used to be there themselves.  Sometimes they go so far as to call them stupid or idiots.  I find this sickening.  We are to edify; or build up, not tear down.  We should be the light for those in darkness.  We should be helpers of their joy. 

As we continue to preach God's word, rightly divided, we should remember our commission as ambassadors.  We are to be a living epistle written in the fleshy tables of our hearts to be read of all men. 

Something to consider.

Grace and peace,
Greg Resor
Complete in Him