Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Consecrated Life
Gracy Suma Thomas
Long Island MTC, NY
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;
29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up,[a] as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.
Do you get angry? How many of us get really angry when things don’t go our way or the way we plan? How many of us get really angry when someone drives slow in front of us or cuts us off without reason? How many of us have gotten into arguments with our parents, siblings, spouses, friends, coworkers when we are not heard, respected, or acknowledged for our work, efforts or achievements. How many of us have responded quickly, hastily, abruptly or without thinking to produce hurtful, inconsiderate statements or comments to our loved ones? I am sure that many of us have encountered these situations in many aspects of our families and work lives. We have all experienced hurt, shame, betrayal or negative feelings. That is what makes us human.
Paul in the book of Ephesians exhorts us however to act in specific ways as a Christian. He identifies four specific sins in this passage; Lying, stealing, anger and “corrupting talk”. These sins do not magically disappear once a person becomes a Christian. We must continually fight against these sins when we live a consecrated life. “You were taught , with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22) What does this mean? Paul insists that we change our hearts, attitude and our daily walk with God. How many of us find ourselves falling short of this in our families, churches, and work places? How many of us live double lives, acting one way on Sundays and differently on the other days of the week? How can we put away the “old self” and become renewed?
We all know that change is hard. It causes us to look deep down at our own flaws, failures and shortcomings and this is difficult. For many of us, it is pride that gets in the way for us to not see the truth and where we need to change. We know that humility is a Christ like character but for so many of us this is difficult to practice. Why is difficult for many of us parents from the Indian/Malayalee community to be able to say to our kids that we don’t have all the answers ,that we made a mistake and admit it to them? We as children also need to realize that our parents are not perfect but they do have some valuable, lived experiences that they are trying to impart and teach their kids. This attitude of submission to ultimately God will allow a person to be changed and renewed within their own families and in their walk of faith. The gospel commands us to go forth and “Be imitators of God therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."(Ephesians 4:33) We are children of the Almighty Father and He has called each and every one of us to be beacons of hope and light to everyone around us. But how can we be beacons of hope and light to others, if we ourselves don’t emulate that quality in our own lives? We are all part of the Body of Christ, who is The Way, The Truth and the Life. Let us all wholeheartedly allow God to change us from the inside out and alter our characters, and our personalities to be more like Jesus every day. Help us to be transformed, renewed, and consecrated for a life pleasing to our God always.
29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up,[a] as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.
Do you get angry? How many of us get really angry when things don’t go our way or the way we plan? How many of us get really angry when someone drives slow in front of us or cuts us off without reason? How many of us have gotten into arguments with our parents, siblings, spouses, friends, coworkers when we are not heard, respected, or acknowledged for our work, efforts or achievements. How many of us have responded quickly, hastily, abruptly or without thinking to produce hurtful, inconsiderate statements or comments to our loved ones? I am sure that many of us have encountered these situations in many aspects of our families and work lives. We have all experienced hurt, shame, betrayal or negative feelings. That is what makes us human.
Paul in the book of Ephesians exhorts us however to act in specific ways as a Christian. He identifies four specific sins in this passage; Lying, stealing, anger and “corrupting talk”. These sins do not magically disappear once a person becomes a Christian. We must continually fight against these sins when we live a consecrated life. “You were taught , with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22) What does this mean? Paul insists that we change our hearts, attitude and our daily walk with God. How many of us find ourselves falling short of this in our families, churches, and work places? How many of us live double lives, acting one way on Sundays and differently on the other days of the week? How can we put away the “old self” and become renewed?
We all know that change is hard. It causes us to look deep down at our own flaws, failures and shortcomings and this is difficult. For many of us, it is pride that gets in the way for us to not see the truth and where we need to change. We know that humility is a Christ like character but for so many of us this is difficult to practice. Why is difficult for many of us parents from the Indian/Malayalee community to be able to say to our kids that we don’t have all the answers ,that we made a mistake and admit it to them? We as children also need to realize that our parents are not perfect but they do have some valuable, lived experiences that they are trying to impart and teach their kids. This attitude of submission to ultimately God will allow a person to be changed and renewed within their own families and in their walk of faith. The gospel commands us to go forth and “Be imitators of God therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."(Ephesians 4:33) We are children of the Almighty Father and He has called each and every one of us to be beacons of hope and light to everyone around us. But how can we be beacons of hope and light to others, if we ourselves don’t emulate that quality in our own lives? We are all part of the Body of Christ, who is The Way, The Truth and the Life. Let us all wholeheartedly allow God to change us from the inside out and alter our characters, and our personalities to be more like Jesus every day. Help us to be transformed, renewed, and consecrated for a life pleasing to our God always.
PRAYER
Almighty and eternal
Father, you are the source of all our blessings. Help us to live as Children of
the Light. Remove the negative attitudes and behaviors in our lives that
separate us from your love. Help us to live a consecrated life in whatever we
do and that we are always able to glorify your Holy and Majestic name always.
Amen
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
Let us together walk in the light knowing that God is in control and that He can change our hearts and minds to His will if we allow Him to. Help us to take off the “old self “and be renewed by the Holy Spirit.
Let us together walk in the light knowing that God is in control and that He can change our hearts and minds to His will if we allow Him to. Help us to take off the “old self “and be renewed by the Holy Spirit.