[Dailydevo] Daily Devotion Tuesday October 25, 2005

[Barry Ludwig]

Daily Devotions Tuesday October 25, 2005

This week's devotions are offered by Karen Ludwig. They focus on the theme
of being neighborly. Who are these neighbors and what is to be done with
them!

 

Being neighborly, Part 2

In Ephesians 4 we have further direction on this being neighborly behavior
that is expected of us.   Many times we want to say - "but I have a right to
be angry" - check out v.26  - you certainly may have a right to be angry,
but it is what you do with that anger that is key. Read on--

 

25 "So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our
neighbors, for we are members of one another.

 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

 27 and do not make room for the devil.

 28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly
with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy.

 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for
building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those
who hear.

 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked
with a seal for the day of redemption.

 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and
slander, together with all malice,

 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God
in Christ has forgiven you."

 

This text in Ephesians is probably referring to fellow Christians when the
word neighbor is used.  That can translate to our "neighbors" in our
fellowship here at Zion. I have observed congregations go through difficult
decisions regarding future growth. There are times when members need to
remember that the words that they share MUST be useful for "building up" and
that our words "may give grace to those who hear." Congregations have an
expectation placed upon them just as the Ephesian Christians did to, "Not
grieve the Holy Spirit of God". This is a weighty expectation from the One
who has marked us for redemption.  Our covenant of caring for others is very
clear: be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another AS GOD IN CHRIST JESUS
HAS FORGIVEN YOU.

What a relief to know that we have forgiveness for all the times when we
have not done the neighborly thing in our communities of life: family,
friends, faith partners, neighbors.

 

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