This chapter of this letter is an encouragement to walk as a Christian. Paul was now a
prisoner at Rome; and he was the prisoner of the Lord, or in the
Lord. Considering what God has done for us, we should walk to approve
ourselves as good citizens of the kingdom of God, and live up to our
profession and calling; We walk according to the grace that God has
brought us with. We are called to God's kingdom and glory; and we
must keep this in mind, and walk as heirs of the Kingdom.
Nothing
is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than to walk as those
called to Christ's kingdom and glory. We walk as Abraham did, before
God by lowliness, understanding humility, which is opposed to pride.
By meekness, that excellent disposition of soul, which makes men slow
to anger, and not easily to be provoked or offended. We are not to
walk in the offence which is one of the sins choking the church
today. We are to walk as people of victory not as victims. As we walk
this way we will find much in ourselves for which we can hardly
forgive ourselves; so we will not find it hard to forgive others.
There is one Christ in whom all believers hope, and one heaven they
are all hoping for; so we should be of one heart. They had all one
faith, one object, one Author of our nature and power. We are to
believe the same as to the great truths of God; We have all been
admitted into the church by one baptism, with water, in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as the sign of
regeneration. In all believers God the Father dwells, as in his holy
temple, by his Spirit and special grace. Without this grace this
would not be possible – man does not have the ability to restore
himself apart from God – however with God we have all the ability;
Applying this ability is by our own will. Without God we have no
ability to live by the law; with God we have all the ability to live
perfectly by the law. Abraham walked in fellowship with; He did
things with God; this is what life is to be all about; living with
God.
To
every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help.
All is given from Christ to every one who lives as God's child. He
received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of
gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere
head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God,
but such as brings trust and obedience. The gift to love to be
disciplined by God. There is a fullness in Christ, and a measure of
that fullness given in the counsel of God to every believer; but we
never come to the perfect measure until we come to heaven. God's
children are growing, as long as they are in this world; and the
child's growth should bring the glory of Christ. The more a man finds
himself drawn out to improve in his station, and according to his
measure, all that he has received, to the spiritual good of others,
he may the more certainly believe that he has the grace of sincere
love of God grounded and rooted in his heart.
The
apostle charged the Ephesians in the name and by the authority of the
Christ and lord, that having professed the gospel, they should not be
as the unconverted Gentiles, who walked in vainness and carnal
affections, walking in the vanity of their minds? We need all the
more today to distinguish between real and nominal Christians. They
were void of all saving knowledge; they sat in darkness, and loved it
rather than light. They dislike and hate a life of holiness, which is
the way of life God requires and approves, and by which we live with
him, but which has some likeness to God himself in his purity,
righteousness, truth, and goodness. The truth of Christ appears in
its beauty and power, when it appears as in the Lord Jesus. The
corrupt nature is called a man; like the human body, it is of
different parts, supporting and strengthening one another. Sinful
desires are deceitful lusts; they promise men happiness, but give
them more misery; and bring them destruction in the end. These must
be put off, as an old filthy garment.
But
it is not enough to shake off corrupt principles; we must have
gracious ones. By the new man, is meant the new nature, the new
creature, directed by a new principle, even regenerating grace,
enabling a man to lead a new life of righteousness and holiness. This
is created, or brought forward by God's almighty power not man
vainness and corrupt ways.
Notice
the particulars we should live with. Take control of every thing that
is contrary to truth. No longer flatter or deceive others. God's
people are children who will not lie, who hate lying. Take control of
anger and uncontrolled passions. If there is an occasion to express
displeasure at what is wrong, or to approve of what is right, do this
without sin. We give permission to the devil, when the first thoughts
or actions of sin are carnal; when we consent to them; and when we
repeat an evil deed. This teaches that sin, if given into, lets in
the devil in and we are not able to resist evil. We need to
understand that anger is an emotion that is God given and at times we
will use it. However we need to control it as well.
Idleness
makes trouble for us and exposes us to temptations and keeps us from
doing good. We need to keep busy and live live honestly so we can
give to others what God wants for them.. What then must we think of
those called Christians, who grow rich by fraud, oppression, and
deceitful practices! Give to be accepted by God and what we give must
not be gained by unrighteousness and robbery, but by honesty and
work. God hates offerings not earned by honesty and our own work.
They are someone else gift to give.
Filthy
words come from corruption (sin) in the speaker, and they corrupt the
minds and manners of those who hear them: Christians should beware of
all such actions. It is the duty of all Christians by the blessing of
God, to bring people to think seriously about their life, and to
encourage and warn believers by their conversation. Be kind one to
another. This sets the principle of love in the heart, and the
outward expression of it, in a humble, courteous behaviour. Mark how
God's forgiveness causes us to forgive. God forgives us. We must
forgive, as he has forgiven us. All lying, and corrupt talk, that
stir up evil desires and lusts, grieve the Spirit of God. Corrupt
passions of bitterness, wrath, anger, lustfulness, evil-speaking, and
malice, grieve the Holy Spirit. The last thing we need is for the
Holy Spirit to withdraw His presence and his gracious influences. The
Lord's plea is that your salvation is used to build the nature of
Godliness in you.
