Where do we start with a passage like Ephesians 4.25-32? There are so many exhortations and encouragements that we could quite easily take each thought and spend a day on it.
It is, simply, a wonderful description of how church life should be: church being a collection of Christians in community with one another and with the Lord Jesus (cf. v.15, Deuteronomy 4.10). We are to;
+ Be angry and do not sin (v.26). Disappointment and anger are to be dealt with in the same day where possible,
+ Work to contribute something, honestly, to the community (v.28),
+ Say the positive things that need to be said, building one another up in grace (v.29),
+ Honour the Lord Jesus above all (v.30),
+ Treat one another with love, care, and kindness (v.31),
+ Forgive as we have been forgiven (v.32).
Perhaps for you there is something on this list that jumps out as ‘Yes, that’s where I need to grow’. If there is, praise God for your honesty and self-awareness! If nothing jumps out immediately as an area of your sanctification that is lacking, I would encourage you today to pray and ask for guidance. This passage from v.17 to v.32 is a challenging and demanding description of the life we are now called to live as believers in the risen Jesus. None of us get it all right all of the time, but the good news is that we are given a community in which to grow, to be loved, cared for, and challenged (vv.15-16). Praise God for the church!
James Travis 