I’m writing this to me, but I’m sharing it with you. Proverbs 21:2 says, “Every way of man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts.” Job 31:6 Amplified says, “Oh, let me be weighed in a just balance and let Him weigh me, that God may know my integrity!

Contrast Job’s life with king Belshazzar. God weighed him on His scales. Daniel 5:27 says, “Tekel: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting.”

Proverbs 24:11-12 says, “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, Surely we did not know this, does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?” James 4:17 says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

In putting all these verses together I had to ask myself: How would my life weigh out on God’s scales? As I thought about the answer I considered this. Remember He told the church in Laodicea that they were lukewarm-not cold or hot. God’s scales would not be balanced. They would be tipped to hot or cold. There is no lukewarm in God’s kingdom. There is no straddling the fence.

Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6 to stir up the gift that was in him. 1 Timothy 4:14 he told him to not neglect the gift that was in him. 1 Corinthians 4:16 says, “Therefore I urge you, imitate me.”

Haggai 2:19 says, “Is the seed still in the barn?…” Joel 1:17 says, “The seed shrivels under the clods, storehouses are in shambles; barns are broken down, for the grain has withered.”

We are sowers. Our nation is in trouble, but there is hope through the gospel. Here is my next question to myself: How do I weigh in God’s scale with evangelism? We must seize this opportunity. Hearts are fearful. No one knows what is going to happen next. They are looking for answers. We have the answer within us. Let us be about our Father’s business.

Ephesians 5:7 says, “Therefore do not be partakers with them.” The ‘them’ are those who are walking in darkness: fornication, all uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, or coarse jesting. Verse 8-10 says, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”

Light penetrates darkness. We are living in dark times. Verse 15 says, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.” Circumspectly means: carefully, exactly, strictly, distinctly.

There are so many verses in Proverbs about wisdom. Proverbs 2:10-12 says, “When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things.” Our nation is full of folks speaking perverse things. Don’t let that affect your testimony of light.

Grumbling and complaining is walking in darkness. The end of Ephesians 4:4 says, “…but rather giving of thanks.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the WILL of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Oh! How we all need to be reminded of this. It is God’s will for us to be an army of thanksgiving and praise.

A great example for us to remember and practice is found in 2 Chronicles 20:21. King Jehoshaphat appointed the singers, “…who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness…” The result? Verse 22 says, “Now when they BEGAN to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes…and they were defeated.”

Let us collectively BEGIN to sing and to praise. Isaiah 59:19 says, “…when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” Our Victorious Conqueror is actively at work in our nation. Let us honor Him through our thanksgiving and praise!

Ephesians 5:1 Amplified says, “Therefore…” What does the therefore go back to? 4:30 said to forgive AS we have been forgiven. The verse goes on to say, “…be imitators of God (copy Him and follow His example), as well-beloved children (imitate their father).” Many years ago we had a family in our church of all girls. Then they had a little boy. We all were amazed when he began to walk. He walked just like his father more so than any other boy I have ever known. Ricky copied his daddy perfectly.

What was Christ’s example? Verse 2 says, “And walk in love, (esteeming and delighting in one another) as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God (for you, so that it became) a sweet fragrance.” Esteeming and unforgiveness are like oil and water. They don’t mix. Is there someone in your life that you cannot speak peaceably to? Are your thoughts towards them marinated in bitterness?

Philippians 2:2 says, “Fulfill my joy by being likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” Paul was writing to the church in Philippi, a group of people that he loved and prayed for. Philippians 1:7 he said that he had them in his heart.

In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul wrote, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Is your life an example for others? Do you live in the freedom of forgiveness? 1 John 2:6 says, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” The Lord is our standard in every aspect of our lives.

I love Hebrews 1:3 which says, “Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

‘Express image’ means the exact copy of representation. The Greek word is charakter. What does that look like to you? The Lord uses the trials He allows in our life to develop our character into Christ-likeness. We are to be His representatives. 2 Corinthians 5:18 says that He has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

Verse 20 says, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” Let us embrace our trials that are pressing us and conforming us to His image. As we go through the fiery trials, He is purifying our faith that we might represent Him through our thoughts, purpose, and actions.

I have read Ephesians 4:29-32 many times. I’ve even memorized it. Yet this time when I read it, the Holy Spirit showed me something I had not connected before.

We eat the fruit of our lives. So do others. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eats its fruit.” Ask yourself this: are the words that I speak to myself and others life-giving?

Our lives are to bear succulent fruit. Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”

The fruit of unforgiveness is poisonous! Paul described that heart-fruit as: corrupt or defiling words, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and malice. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”

Hebrews 12:15 says, “Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.”

Both the verse in Proverbs and Hebrews use a word that denotes something quick that can’t be retrieved. Have you ever said something that you wish you could have taken back, but it was too late?

The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 is: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Forgiving those who have hurt us, in the same way that the Lord has forgiven us, will bear fruit indicative that we are walking in His grace. Our fruit then will be gifts of grace to those who eat from the tree of our life.

Paul addressed some essential truths in the end of Ephesians 4. They are truths that we need to speak in our heart, walk in, and inculcate in our actions. Verse 25 sets the stage. It says, “Therefore, putting away lying, Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for WE are members of one another.” We are the church. In order to walk united we need to be sincere.

1 Peter 1:22 says, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.” In the days of dark bazaars, the vendors would cry out ‘sincere’ meaning there was no wax in their pots to cover up cracks.

Paul went on to explain how to walk in righteous victory with one another. Here is my paraphrase for verses 26-32. Repent of your anger before you go to bed, don’t allow unresolved issues to marinate in pride that produces bitter words and actions, do not quench the Holy Spirit, emulate the Lord’s character, and forgive in the same way that you have been forgiven.

Forgiveness is a choice, and to not forgive is sin which blocks our fellowship with God and those around us. Unforgiveness destroys from within, not only health wise, but it defiles the body of Christ. We will only be united in love, as we each walk in experiential truth that sets us free. United we will stand firm against the wiles of the enemy to divide and conquer. Let us collectively walk in His righteousness that will honor and glorify Him.

In Ephesians 4:17-24 Paul was reminding them of how they used to be: futile thoughts, understanding darkened, alienated from God, and past feeling in their debauchery. Verse 22 says, “That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.”

While he told them to put off their former way of life, he said to put on something in its place. Verse 23 Amplified says, “And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude).”

Paul wrote something similar to the church in Rome. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Conformed is like being pressed into a worldly mold or mindset. It is like they did in Nazi Germany through propaganda. Beware.

I love the word ‘transformed’ because I love butterflies. They speak to me of freedom from the past. No longer bound by crawling and eating leaves, but free to flit from flower to flower–drinking life-giving nectar.

Paul said that they were to put off in order to put on. It is a divine exchange. Romans 13:14 says, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.” The butterfly doesn’t think like a caterpillar because it has been transformed through metamorphosis.

When we renew and saturate our minds with God’s truth, speak truth in our heart, we will walk in truth with others. That is the picture of the church. As we are united in truth, we will be a formidable force against the coercion of satan’s mold-forming tactics.

In Ephesians 4:7-16, Paul described God’s plan for growth in His body. He set in church leaders to equip His saints. Verse 13 says, “Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Perfect in the Greek is telos which means mature or complete.

It reminds me of Philippians 1:6 which says, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” We are in the process of maturity.

Ephesians 4:16 helps us understand how this growth takes place within His body. It says, “From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

Colossians 3:14 says, “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” Again it is the Greek word that means maturity or completeness.

In a nutshell: we need each other to grow. Christ’s body is designed to function in synergy. One part supplies the need of the other. I was in Costa Rica on a mission trip. Our pastor-guide took us into a rainforest. He explained how the tall trees got the sun, but the low shrubs were always in the shade. They each supplied the nutrients the other didn’t have.

Synergy means: a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. 1 Corinthians 12:18 says, “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” May we grow where He has planted us. May we, the church, wholly reflect Him to those who are outside and in need of a Savior.

When I was in junior high I read this definition of fellowship: two fellows in a boat rowing for the same shore. Later I learned the Greek word koinonia which means fellowship.

Paul’s first section in Ephesians 4 was about unity. It takes me back to Psalm 133:1 which says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” I love this picture of unity in Acts 4:32. It says, “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul…they had all things in common.”

United, one accord, all things in common speak of the design for Christ’s body – the church. That is why we have to guard against any division. Romans 12:18 is our model. It says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Paul is a great example of this. Acts 24:16 says, “This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.”

We have this warning in Matthew 12:25, “…Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” Paul wrote many warnings. Here is another to remember. Galatians 5:9 says, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” Ecclesiastes further illustrates this principle. It says, “Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment…”

Ephesians 4:1 says, “I…beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.” Then in verses 2-3 explained how: lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, and doing everything you can to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Verses 4-6 defined our oneness: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. Every believer is part of the body. We all have an individual function that contributes to the health and growth of His body. Our untied purpose is that He will be glorified in all that we think, say, and do. Divided we fall, but united we stand. Let us do our part to protect and guard our unity 💜

Paul’s prayer is a great example for us. Notice how he bookend his prayer with humility and praise. Ephesians 3:14 says, “…I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In verses 16-19 he petitioned the Lord. Verses 20-21 He praised the Lord for His character. They say, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Ephesians chapters one through three addressed our standing in Christ. Our standing will never change. Then in chapters four through six Paul addressed our state. His words instruct us in how to navigate through our myriad circumstances in life which are always changing. Our state is our walk with the Lord. It is a journey of progressive sanctification.

Chapter four is a powerful word to us about unity and how we should live. We are created to glorify the Lord in everything that we think, say, and do. Jeremiah 23:29 says, “Is not My word like a fire? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”

God’s ways, His will, and His purpose are our standard. As we daily read His word, our state goes through purifying fires and blows from His hammer. His word hidden in our heart is what the Holy Spirit uses to convict us when we don’t emulate the Lord. His truth is like a sentinel that warns us when we are about to step into enemy-traps of unseen temptations.

Father, I bow my heart before You. I acknowledge my utter dependence on You. Help us to walk in the truth of Your word. Help us to emulate You through our thoughts that lead to righteous words and actions. Thank You for Your unending mercy and abundant grace. To You belong all praise, and glory, and honor. There is no one Your equal. Amen.

If you don’t know how to pray for someone, Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is a great one. Ephesians 3:16 Amplified says, “May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the (Holy) Spirit (Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality).” I use this verse as a faith affirmation: I am right now being strengthened and reinforced in and by Your mighty power.

Verse 17 says, May Christ through your faith (actually) dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely in love.”

I had huge old oak trees in my former yard. There is a saying: The greatest oak was once a little nut who firmly held its ground. We need to send our tap root deep into the Lord by abiding in His word. He is our Source of life.

Verse 18 says, “That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints (God’s devoted people, the experience of that love) which is the breadth and length and height and depth (of it).”

Verse 19 says, “(That you may really come) to know (practically, through experience for yourselves) the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge (without experience); that you may be filled (through all your being) unto all the fullness of God (may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself)!”