Daily Devotional

I was shocked today (June 21)! I asked the Lord to help me with today’s NT passage in Ephesians 4, noting how many times I have read it in five decades. It was also in the NKJV, which is not my norm.  My prayer was answered, and I was much taken aback! It did not seem beyond possible for a believer to do what Paul described, if walking in the Spirit. But it did seem other worldly, more than I can ever remember. It came across as the singularly most natural life for the believer. This is not how I usually think about these things.

I read all the helps in my study Bible, too.  I was all the more moved. Let me share some of all that with you today, since we are all of His church.  There were stars on six words in the text, noting special explanations: lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering, bearing, endeavoring and peace. These comments were actually encouraging to me, rather than demanding.  I give them to you to the same end, as a balm for your soul and as invigoration for your heart in Christ. I saw that this was absolutely the only way the church could function in true spiritual health, accomplish its purpose within itself, and then out into the lost world.

LOWLINESS (Strongs #5012)
From the study notes: Humility, modesty, lowliness, humble mindedness, a sense of insignificance, and a humble attitude of unselfish concern for the welfare of others. It is a total absence of arrogance, conceit and haughtiness. Then consider this statement by the commentators: “The word was unknown in classical non-biblical Greek.”
This tells me that in the world such a state of being was so completely undesirable that it was never even expressed! What great evidence of it being God’s particular way for His “called out” people!

GENTLENESS (Strongs #4236)
From the study notes: A disposition that is even tempered, tranquil, balanced in spirit, unpretentious, and that has the passions under control. They say the word is best translated as “meekness.” Not something much desired or taught; usually probably thought of as weak or wimpy. Not an attractive trait to pursue!


LONGSUFFERING (Strongs #3115)
From the study notes: The word denotes patience, lenience, forbearance, fortitude, patient endurance, and longsuffering. They add that . . . it is the ability to endure persecution and ill-treatment; a person with the ability to exercise revenge, but instead exercises restraint. Where is this taught anywhere but in the church?

BEARING with one another in love (Strongs #430)
From the study notes: To endure. The word carries the idea of persevering, tolerating, bearing with, putting up with, standing firm, and not losing courage under pressure. We would, in the flesh, mostly think of this as someone who does not know how to run their house, or make their way in the world. But apparently this is how Christ runs His church!

ENDEAVORING to keep the unity of the Spirit (Strongs #4704)
From the study notes. Being eager. To exert oneself, make every effort, give diligence, make haste, be zealous, strain every nerve, and further the cause assiduously.  All this to KEEP THE UNITY IN THE CHURCH. Where are we taught to put this much effort into anything? Assiduously?! Strain every nerve?! But this is how God values unity of the Spirit in the church, not only our local body, but all His local churches around us and then into the world! I want to be a member of such a church!

PEACE (Strongs #1515)
From the study notes: Peace. A state of rest, quietness, and calmness; an absence of strife; tranquility. It generally denotes a perfect well-being. They also say that it includes “harmonious relationships.” Who would not want this kind of life, or group?!

In a daze I read the remaining verses of the chapter. Then I thought, there is NO OTHER WAY! This chapter describes the healthy, holy and fruitful expression of Christ’s church on earth. Please consider it for yourself, for your marriage, for your family and your neighborhood, since it all starts in these realms.

It is so outside of man, that it is clear that no self-effort can produce it. But it is also clear that through childlike faith and simple prayer, it is the exact expression of what Jesus will do by his Spirit in us.  Let’s walk by faith right into this spiritual dream!

Read: Ephesians 4, NKJV
Sing: The Church’s One Foundation, Samuel J. Stone (Samuel S. Wesley)

"New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved."