Ephesians 4:2-6 The Bond of Peace in Christ Jesus

 Ephesians 2:18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Only in the righteousness of Christ Jesus can we walk in unity with Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father who loves us. In His mercy and in His grace we can fulfill all that He requires of us. To God all glory and honor belongs. Carla

Ephesians 4:2-6

4 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (NKJV)

Lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering: These are the attitudes that Jesus demonstrated when He was on earth (Philippians  2:5–8). These attitudes do not come naturally, but must be cultivated by the determination to place others above ourselves. Only the Spirit can empower us to treat people this way consistently. Bearing is close to our expression “putting up with”; however, Paul’s use of the term has positive connotations. It describes being patient with the shortcomings of others. Often we ask God to be patient with our own failings, and yet do not exercise the same type of patience ourselves. All Christians are one in the Spirit. It is our duty to keep or observe that unity, recognize it as real, and act upon it without a sectarian spirit (John 17:20–26). Endeavoring means to make every effort, to work hard at maintaining the unity of the Spirit.

One baptism may refer to the baptism in the Spirit that places all believers into the body of Christ, the church (1 Corinthians 12:13). It may also refer to water baptism, the sign or seal that a person is a member of the body of Christ. At the time of the early church, public baptism clearly identified a person as a Christian. The NKJV Study Bible

Humility and gentleness, with patience are the results of being filled with God’s Spirit.  Since believers belong to one family of God, they must bear with one another. The unity of the Spirit refers to unity that can only exist because of the work of the Holy Spirit. 

Paul portrays Christ as the personification of peace (Ephesians 2:14). The work of Christ leads to peace between God and humanity and between Jews and Gentiles (2:15).

In the New Testament, a new believer’s expression of faith is closely connected to their baptism—an outward expression of that faith.

Over all, and through all, and in all stresses the supremacy of God. He joins all people together under His sovereign rule. Faithlife Study Bible

Colossians 3:12–15

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do…

1 Corinthians 8:6

yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

Galatians 5:22–23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 

Romans 11:36

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

There are so many places (or triggers) in our world, where anger, resentment, bitterness, and distrust accumulate. And sadly, we ostracize even those close to us, without realizing what that does to our own identity. There is so much in our world that “untethers” us. There is so much, that makes us “un-remember” this revitalizing truth: that which tethers you, is the fuel that spills authenticity, wholeheartedness, and empathy, and compassion, into the world around you.

Yes. It makes the difference.

Garrison Keillor once reflected on the church of his youth: “We had a surplus of scholars, and a deficit of peacemakers.”
I would argue, that is a ratio which needs to be reworked. Or maybe this story is more personal than that. Because the bottom line is that I would like to be known as a person who sweeps anger away. Being a reconciler sounds like a pretty good way to live.
Well, my friends, here’s the good news; every single one of us have been endowed and equipped, because every single one of us has been given the name, “peacemaker”.
Too good to be true? I can relate.
So, I settle for less. Because, “That can’t be me,” I tell myself.

Which begs the question; in this churning and uncertain environment, from where do we draw our identity, and our character?
This is from Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, "So; chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength and discipline. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it."
I like the paradigm shift. So, let us pause here.
We are not mandated to design, or create, or assemble, the wardrobe.
Only that we inhabit the wardrobe we’ve been given.

You see I was inculcated in a world that required willpower. To be whatever I should be, I needed to muster enough faith, or rectitude.
Which is fine, save for the fact that our identity or wellbeing is not dependent upon earning, or justifying. It’s about being true to who we are.
Which reminds me of one of my favorite images, from a magazine ad sponsored by the Humane Society, looking for homes for homeless pets. A photo of a puppy and kitten—looking up at you from the page—catches your eye and your heart. But it's the affirmation on the top of the ad that sticks, “It's who owns them that makes them important.”
Be true to who you are…

Yes… Embrace this new life of love.
Yes… Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you.

So. Here's my question: What would happen if we lived as if these are true?
Can we hear that today?

Anger can find a home in the shape of sadness, or brokenness, or despair, or hopelessness, or loss of control. And we give in to anger because we are afraid, or we feel out of control. Because we live from fear, it’s no wonder we wish for control. We feel at the mercy of. So, our lives simply react to chaos.
Plato reminded us that, “What is honored will be cultivated.” I like the verb honor. It’s not about belief or cognitive assent.

Yes, it begins here. It is about the choices we make.
And this I do know: When my identity is hijacked by distraction, I cannot honor.
When I am consumed by prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, I cannot honor.
When I label or dismiss others, I cannot honor.
When anger consumes my energy and I overreact or wound, I cannot honor.
When I cannot honor, I lose sight of what is real, and authentic.

And yes, every one of us is afraid at times. Who knows all the reasons?
It’s just that when fear takes root, we revert to a zero-sum view of the world.
And fear makes us believe that resources—including compassion, mercy, kindness, forgiveness, and generosity—are finite.
We believe that life is short, and you get what you can. And if I don't know you, you are my enemy... or at the very least, someone to be mistrusted.

This week, let us remember the wardrobe.
“Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength and discipline. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”
And the good news? You never know, how those garments (or bearings) will unlock mercy. And how, in small and gentle ways, they will allow us to spill gifts of peacemaking. And healing. Sabbath Moments

1 Corinthians 16:13 Stand fast in faith and love!

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 

It is only the agape love of God that saves us from ourselves.  In Christ we are freed to love God and others… it is the greatest of His gifts. Without God’s love behind our actions we are just making noise. Faith, hope and love exist in Him and the greatest of these is LOVE. We do not fight against mankind but against the powers of evil that want to kill, steal and destroy us and our faith in God. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit trust Him to deliver us safely home. Carla

1 Corinthians 16:13

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love. (NKJV)

Watch is often used in the New Testament  to indicate anticipation of some future event (Mark 13:37; Revelations 3:3). Paul’s exhortation to stand fast in the faith is especially important in view of the susceptibility of the Corinthians to false teaching (2 Corinthians 11:3). Paul’s command to do everything with love serves as a balance to these strong exhortations. The NKJV Study Bible

Paul explains the more excellent way that he mentioned in 12:31. Paul’s goal is to show the Corinthians that the only proper use for gifts is through love. Faithlife Study Bible

Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 

Philippians 1:27

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 

1 Thessalonians 3:8

For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

1 Samuel 4:9

Be strong and conduct yourselves like men, you Philistines, that you do not become servants of the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Conduct yourselves like men, and fight!”

“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.”
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples, “You are the light of the world.”
And then adds, “Let your light shine.”
Let. As is, allow. As in, the light is already there.
Jesus never said, “Create the light.”
He never said, “Make the light.”
He never even said, “Be good at light shining.”
He simply told us to get out of the way, and let the light that is already there, spill.

So. Instead of light shining classes, let us give ourselves the gift of embracing the light that is alive and well inside... the light of compassion, kindness, empathy, inclusion, hope, and authenticity.

Granted, much of that light may be “under a bushel”, but it is still there, nonetheless. And this is the power: when we know that the light is here, now, we embrace (and are fueled by) the permission to be present. Yes.
Because when we don’t see (or miss seeing) because our light is “under a bushel”, we shut down or find ways to compensate. And we project strength through clout, or cynicism, or callousness.

Yes, that light may be obscured by tragedy and stress, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there, and cannot spill to the world around us. Yes. In this life.

At my age, it’s common to be asked about retirement (well, to be honest, first you’re asked about aches and pains), and whether or not I can afford to grow old. “What have you invested in?” I am asked.
Granted, my portfolio may be undistinguished, but I'll save my worry for later. I have other investments in mind.
Today, I want to invest in being present and wholehearted.
Today, I want to invest in being unafraid.
Today, I want to invest in bringing the better angels of this self, to a world that needs people who care about making it a better place.
More than ever, I value being around people who live well in their own skin. Because they live unafraid.
And here’s the wonderful irony. Being fully present allows me to be present for others around me. You know, as in connected. As in face to face, eye to eye, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder. Why? Because I have nothing to prove, no one to impress and no need to manipulate or denigrate anyone.
It’s about shining a light from the candle in our spirit. “This little light of mine…”
It’s about knowing that each day we are able to continue to weave the tapestry of our lives... with a purity of spirit, and intention.
And that my friends, makes a difference in our world, where fear, and discouragement, and pessimism, are real.
Yes. It makes a difference. And I know that, with deep gratitude, for those who have spilled light on my, and in my, world. Thank you, my friends, for the light you spill. Sabbath Moments

Matthew 5:43-48 Who does God love and care for? Everyone!

 Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

As people of our living God we can love those who spitefully use  us simply because He does. Love God and leave the judging to Him. Hate evil and seek the good of all that is the will of God. We love others and their families as much as we love ourselves and our own. Carla

Matthew 5:43-48

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do g ood to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (NKJV)

To be a “son of” was to be like someone or something. That you may be sons of your Father in heaven means “that you may be like the Heavenly Father who displays His love without discrimination.”

This verse, which comes from Deuteronomy 18:13, refers to completeness. In the context of 5:43–48, it seems to mean that Jesus’ followers are to be as perfect as God in the ways that they love. God does not lower the standard to accommodate our sinfulness. He gives us the power to keep His righteous standard. The NKJV Study Bible

Just as God gives the good gifts of sun and rain to all people without distinction, members of the kingdom should act with love, kindness, and generosity toward all. Jesus’ followers should reflect God’s character.

Tax collectors were some of the most hated people in Israel, due to the nature of their work and their association with the Roman government. Tax collectors generally obtained their posts from Roman authorities through a bidding system. They often made sizeable profits by levying higher taxes than Rome required. Consequently, Jews regarded Jewish tax collectors as traitors and as members of the lowest level of society. The mention of tax collectors alongside non-Jewish people (verse 47) reflects not only their poor reputation, but also the scope of Jesus’ ministry to redeem all of humanity, including the outcasts of society. Matthew, the likely author of this Gospel, was a tax collector, and Jews viewed his inclusion among Jesus’ disciples as scandalous (9:9–13).

Gentiles in the Greek text refers to non-Jews—people who were not ethnically part of Israel.

Those who demonstrate love in the manner attributed to God the Father will become perfect—complete or mature. Faithlife Study Bible

Leviticus 19:18

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Acts 7:60

Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Leviticus 19:2

“Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy

Luke 6:27–28

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.

“This is the categorical imperative of the Christian Faith: You shall lovingly accept the humanity entrusted to you. You shall accept yourself.” Johannes Metz

You are able to give your self—your heart and your soul—when you lovingly accept the humanity entrusted to you.
What an invitation: the gift to be at home in my own skin.
Whole and undivided.
So, yes. And Amen.

So, yes. And Amen.

I’ve always been triggered by the societal estimation that our identity is defined solely by what we do. Meaning, how we make money.

We need to change the questions.

Instead of, “What do you do, or what did you accomplish and achieve?”

Ask this, “Where, and in what ways, does your heart come alive?”

Taking to heart Frederick Buechner’s reminder, “Vocation is the place where our deep gladness meets the world's deep need.” Sabbath Moments

Never Give Up

No matter what is going on

Never give up

Develop the heart

Too much energy in your country

Is spent developing the mind

Instead of the heart

Be compassionate

Not just to your friends

But to everyone

Be compassionate

Work for peace

In your heart and in the world

Work for peace

And I say again

Never give up

No matter what is going on around you

Never give up

Attribute to the Dalai Lama 

1 John 1:8-10 God is merciful and full of grace!

 Job 15:14

“What is man, that he could be pure?

And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous?

No human is righteous in themself, only  Jesus, all man all God is. He gave His sinless life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world  that we can stand in His righteousness before our holy Father. In Holy Spirit which He gives to us we learn the meaning of life and are changed, precept by precept, to live like God intended. When we confess our sins to God He is faithful to forgive us. In Christ all things are possible. Carla

1 John 1:8-10

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (NKJV)

The second false claim is that we have no sin. The idea would be that our sin nature is completely gone. To say this is to deceive ourselves (2 Chronicles 6:36; John 9:41). The truth is God’s revelation, which says just the opposite. To have no sin is to have no need of a Savior, which would make the coming of Jesus unnecessary.

Though John uses we primarily to refer to himself and the other apostles as eyewitnesses of Christ (verse 1), here the term includes all believers who confess (acknowledge) sin. God says that we are sinners in need of forgiveness. To confess is to agree with Him, to admit that we are sinners in need of His mercy. If a believer confesses his or her specific sins to God, He will cleanse all unrighteousness from that person. Forgiveness and cleansing are guaranteed because God is faithful to His promises. Those promises are legitimate because God is just. God can maintain His perfect character and yet forgive us because of the perfect and righteous sacrifice of Jesus, His own Son (2:2).

We may admit to having a sin nature while still denying any personal sin and therefore any need for confession. The Greek verb translated we have not sinned indicates a denial in the past that continues to the present. Unlike verse 8, which speaks of the guilt of sin or a sinful nature, this verse is about the denial of any particular sins. To make this denial is to call God a liar because God’s word emphasizes the penetrating nature of sin (Romans 7:14–24). Denying that sin is in us indicates that God’s word is not in us. In other words, a person who denies committing sinful acts does not have the Word of God changing his or her life. The NKJV Study Bible

Every person should admit to themselves and God that they are sinful. John’s opponents apparently claimed that they did not sin and therefore did not need to be cleansed.

For John, the position of his opponents is the ultimate form of self-deception, since it prevents a person from accepting the truth of their sinful nature (1 John 2:10–14). By contrast, true believers are defined in terms of their admission of sinfulness and need for Christ’s sacrifice (verse 9).

Confession of sin opens a person to the work of God within them, relinquishing the power of sin over their life through the power of Jesus (2:1). John is not suggesting that the act of confession is required for salvation. God does the saving work; people cannot save themselves (2:12; John 3:16–17). Instead, confession opens a person to the work of the Holy Spirit, leading to the removal of sinful behaviors and desires (1 John 3:24).

Confessing sin to God is the opposite of declaring a lack of sin (verse 8). When sins are declared, God’s work has the opportunity to replace sin in the life of a Christian. He refers  to God, who will forgive us through the atoning death of Jesus (1 John 1:7).

God is true to the agreement He made with His people, which established the true cost of sin (Deuteronomy 7:9; Jeremiah 31:31–34). God demonstrates this attribute by carrying out His promise of bringing people into relationship with Him through Christ’s sacrificial death  (Isaiah 53:10–12). When people admit that they are sinful, God honors His word by both forgiving them and giving them the power to overcome sin.

When someone claims to have not sinned, they also are, in essence, rejecting God’s statements about sinfulness and denying the need for Jesus’ sacrifice. John reminds his audience of Jesus’ saving work and exhorts them to love one another—which will show that they are true believers in Jesus. By contrast, those with hateful dispositions are clearly not followers of Jesus. Faithlife Study Bible

Psalm 32:5

I acknowledged my sin to You,

And my iniquity I have not hidden.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”

And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Proverbs 28:13

He who covers his sins will not prosper,

But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

James 3:2

For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 

1 John 5:10

He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 

Some years ago, on a visit to a friend's house in Paso Robles, hanging on a wall with very remarkable art, I see a hand drawn crayon picture of a dragon (drawn “in the hand” of a young child). The dragon is pink and purple and lavender.
I really liked the dragon, and mentioned it to my host.
“My daughter did that drawing when she was very young,” the friend told me. “And her teacher was not pleased, and told her that she did it all wrong. Everyone knows that ‘dragons are not That Color!’”
“It hangs there today,” the mother tells me, “as a reminder to my daughter, to be one of a kind.”

One of a kind. Yes. Remember Mother Teresa’s reminder to a roomful of lepers, of how much God loved each one of them. She told them that they are “a gift to the rest of us.”
Interrupting her, an old leper raises his hand, and she calls on him. “Could you repeat that again?” he asks. “It did me good. So, would you mind; just saying it again.”
Yes please. Just say it again.
We easily forget, don't we... the cathartic power of grace?

And on the days when public opinion pesters, I keep this Parker Palmer quote close by. "It is a strange gift, this birthright gift of self. Discovering vocation does not mean scrambling toward some prize just beyond my reach but accepting the treasure of true self I already possess. Vocation does not come from a voice ‘out there’ calling me to become something I am not. It comes from a voice ‘in here’ calling me to be the person I was born to be, fulfill the original selfhood given me at birth by God."
And in my heart, I know that vocation is not just my job, or calling, but the mark I leave, and the place I take, in this world, by being “purple dragon” Terry.

It starts early, doesn’t it?
Don't be different.
What will people think?
What makes you think you have an opinion?
Do you really feel that way?
That person is strange, isn't he?
This I do know: Just like purple dragons, labels never help. They limit us and tempt us to compare ourselves to others with similar labels. Which exacerbates the temptation to play to public opinion. But here's the deal: Playing to public opinion I too easily sacrifice; my emotions, my feelings, my passion, my gifts, my heart, and my humanity. Because there will always be some voice telling me that whoever I am today, is not enough.

True, living into this authentic—purple dragon—self is neither easy, nor managed by a checklist. But this much is certain: living into our authentic self begins with a whole heart.
I read this once, “she was reclaiming herself, alive in her own skin.” Yes, that’s it. At home in our own skin… Unabashed in a skin (a self) that feels, values, honors, esteems, loves, fears, desires, hopes for, believes in, and commits to. With nothing to earn or prove, because life isn’t a race or contest or beauty pageant.
At home in my skin, I have a self to give.
I can dance, and savor life.
I can choose to be an anchor and a listening ear.
I can be a hand to hold, and a hug to keep the heart alive.

“This is the categorical imperative of the Christian Faith: You shall lovingly accept the humanity entrusted to you. You shall accept yourself.” Johannes Metz

Sabbath Moments