April 15, 2020 – Ephesians 4:20-24

But that is not the way you learned Christ!-assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the Spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4:20-24.

Language and communication  would be sorely lacking without the words Love, or Joy, and Peace.  These are the Fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23).  The other seven are Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control.  Considering the contrast between the words that show anger, bitterness, and malice and those that show love – kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness shows two pathways.

Renewing our mind or doing a make-over of what is visible to others are two different things.   For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7a. KJV. Our responses everyday to situations reveal our hearts through our language.   As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.  Proverbs 27:19. ESV. 

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35.  In this day of constant bickering, lying, and hate, there is much need for true, caring love.  

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13. Who did this for you and for me?  Jesus.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32.