[Walk] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.
— Ephesians 4:2 —
Gianluca Pollutri: Italian Theological Academy | Italy
As each new morning dawns, we wake up ready to face the day, to get things done. Often there is a clear checklist of tasks to accomplish. In this text, Paul presents believers with a sort of checklist for daily behavior. It is meant as a guide to help the Ephesian believers evaluate their lives in light of the gospel. He implores them to follow some basic principles that will put the gospel of Jesus Christ on display. We tolerate those who at first glance are not so loveable because we know how much God loved us while yet sinners. Therefore, as we tackle our daily to-do lists, let us also meditate on this checklist from heaven. Let us ready ourselves to put on our new life in Christ first by walking in humility. Instead of placing ourselves in the center of our daily activities, let’s plan ahead on how we can serve others during the day. And when things get rough and people do not respond the way we had hoped, let’s follow the guidelines and respond with gentleness and patience. Sometimes, we will be repeatedly tested with difficult people. So, we need to develop a heart of tolerance in love. We tolerate those who at first glance are not so loveable because we know how much God loved us while yet sinners. That tolerance reflects the gospel. These qualities spoken by Paul derive from God Himself and the way He has treated us in Christ. Therefore, when we consider our checklist of tasks to accomplish each day, let us remember the character qualities that will most beautifully put on display the gospel for all to see. This is how we walk in a manner worthy of our blessed and inestimable calling of salvation.
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