south ridge blog

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Several tech companies today have caught on to the simple truth that people walk. Fitbit watches track steps, encouraging people to walk at least 10,000 steps a day. Garmin and Apple watches encourage a commitment to ongoing exercise and/or a certain amount of moving every day. But the simple truth remains – people walk. 

But oftentimes, the Scriptures use the term walking as a metaphor for living. As an example, in Ephesians 5:1-21 (ESV) we read about walking in love, walking in light, and walking in wisdom. 

What does it mean to walk (live) in love? The NLT Life Application Study Bible reflects on the sacrifice of Christ. It says, “Our love for others should be [as the love of Christ]—a love that goes beyond affection to self-sacrificing service.”

In our culture, we rarely see a good example of what it looks like to live with self-sacrificing service for others. Political parties, the media, and even social media are filled with statements of power, self-centeredness, and self-gratification. But to walk in love is to live self-sacrificially. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 5:1-21, GALATIANS 2:20  (also read the commentary notes in your study bible of choice)

Think about it: How regularly do you hear statements about power, self-centeredness, or self-gratification?

What steps can you take today to be an example of what it looks like to live self-sacrificially? Be specific. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that my life is completely surrounded by voices of self-centeredness and self-gratification. Continue to help me grow into a person of self-sacrifice, living a life of love. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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What does your day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute relationship with God look like? Some may go to church Sunday in order to “fill up” their tank for the week, only to admit by Tuesday that they’re running on empty. Others may choose to “fill up” their tank with some kind of Scripture reading or devotional every morning, only to admit by evening that they’re running on empty. 

In short, too many followers of Christ believe the lie that if we do certain things in certain ways and at certain times our tanks will remain full. So when one rhythm and routine doesn’t work, we’ll try another. And another. And another. 

The unfortunate reality is that this is simply living by works-righteousness. We believe the lie that if we do certain things, God will bless us and life will go well. When it doesn’t work, we end up frustrated with God, feeling that we’ve done our part but He hasn’t done His. 

But the real truth is that God has already done His part. We don’t need to earn His favor, but rest in it. For followers of Christ, we are His children. Rest in His love and grace. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 5:1-2

How would your day be different if you took several opportunities and pause and remember and that you are a beloved child of God, and He is pleased to know you? 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that far too often I do certain things believing that they will somehow earn me more favor with You. Help me continue to live by the truth, that as one who has professed faith and trust in Christ, I am a beloved child of God and nothing can separate me from Your love. May I rest in this every moment of every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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What truths from Ephesians 4:25-32 impacted you most this week? 

Consider talking or meeting with somebody you trust to discuss what you’ve learned this week and how it’s helping you to grow emotionally and spiritually. 

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Think about this: Would you be comfortable to contact all of your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors today and tell them that they should live the way you’re living? Could you say them, “If you want to see what it looks like to be honest, generous, kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, just imitate the way I live, because I am imitating the life of Christ really well.” 

It’s pretty astounding that the Apostle Paul not only felt comfortable saying something like this, he felt comfortable saying it quite regularly. Paul didn’t hesitate to write to others and say, “Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” Or, “Follow my example.” Or, “Whatever you have seen from me, put it into practice.” 

Apparently, Paul was either very arrogant, or he was living in such a way that he was day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, remembering that he had set his old nature aside, and was now living his new nature. And by continually reflecting on the truth that he was now “In Christ” he was able to be the kind of example others needed for what it really looked like to live the Christian life. 

READING & PRAYERS:

1 Corinthians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Philippians 3:17, Philippians 4:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:6,  2 Thessalonians 3:9 

What would it look like for you to day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute remember that you are “In Christ” and can abide in Him? 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today I’m grateful for the reminder that I am “In Christ” and can be in constant union with God each and every moment of each and every day. May Your presence have such a profound impact on my life that one day I can confidently say, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Ephesians 4:25-32 isn’t one of the most complex passages to study out. But some may read through it and be tempted to believe that it outlines a moral code to live by. Those who read it incorrectly may walk away and think, Ok, I just need to do these things, and not do these things. Seems simple enough. Others may read through it and think, This guy I work with. He really needs to read through this passage. He isn’t honest, generous, kind, tenderhearted, or forgiving at all! 

But when reading through the text, it’s best to reflect on it and internalize it for your life and not think about how others aren’t living it out well. Just because somebody else isn’t honest, generous, kind, tenderhearted, or forgiving, doesn’t mean God isn’t inviting you to grow in being more honest, generous, kind, tenderhearted and forgiving. 

As you read through the passage again today, take the opportunity to read through it slowly. As you do, take a few extra minutes to sit silently in the presence of God and ask Him how you may be able to grow in being more kind, more tenderhearted, and more forgiving toward others. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 4:25-32 (read the passage slowly)

Take a few extra minutes to sit silently in the presence of God today and ask Him how you may be able to grow in being more kind, more tenderhearted, and more forgiving toward others.

PRAYER: Today, write out your own prayer to God asking Him to provide you with wisdom and discernment in how you can continue to grow in being more kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving toward others. 

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Reading through Ephesians 4:25-32, there are a number of lines that one may quickly read and then go onto the next verse without giving it much thought. One example is Ephesians 4:28 which reads, If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 

Some may read this verse and think, Well, I’m not a thief…so I guess this verse doesn’t really apply to me. Others may read it and think, I’m a pretty generous person, so I can move onto the next verse.

The principle of generosity is one that applies to all followers of Christ. God has called us to be generous with our words and our deeds. For those who are already living a generous life, it’s still good to consider – how generous is generous enough? 

Chances are, there’s room to grow in how generous you are toward others with your words and your actions. If you were to consider that everybody you interact with may have some kind of hurt, habit, or hangup you may not know about, how would that impact the way you speak and interact with them?

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 4:25-32, PROVERBS 11:25 (also read the commentary notes in your study bible of choice)

If you were to consider that everybody you interact with may have some kind of hurt, habit, or hangup you may not know about, how would that impact the way you speak and interact with them?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, today I acknowledge that I don’t always consider what other people may be going through. Whether it’s the person in the checkout line, the person weaving in and out of traffic, or others I may see throughout the day, I’m grateful for the reminder that they may be experiencing a severe challenge I’m completely unaware of. May I take the opportunity to be generous with my words and actions toward others today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Consider this: If something is 99% true it’s still a…what? That’s right. It’s still a lie. 

Far too often, those who live a Christian life lie to ourselves and to others. To share some examples, we may lie about…

• Our day. We’ll say we’re having a good day even if we’re not. 
• Our feelings. We’ll say we’re doing well even if we’re actually hurting, confused, sad, or depressed. 
• Our spending. We’ll tell our boss (or spouse) we only spent what was necessary even if we actually spent more than was necessary. 
• Our decisions. We’ll say, “Yes, I’d love to help out with that project,” even though we really want to say no. 

As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to be 100% honest with God, 100% honest with ourselves, and 100% honest with others. This doesn’t mean we need to share every detail of our lives with every person we interact with throughout the day. But we ought not be afraid to be authentic and share how we’re actually feeling.

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 4:25-32

Pay close attention to your thoughts today, as well as your words to others. Take note of how many times you’re not 100% honest with God, yourself, or others. 

Ephesians 4:29 reads, Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. In what way(s) may God be inviting you to grow in being more open, vulnerable, and real with Him, yourself, and others? Be specific. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to You today and confess that I’m not always as honest as I think I am. Continue to root out of me any and all dishonesty, and guide me to a lifestyle of being both real and encouraging. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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What truths from Ephesians 4:17-24 impacted you most this week? 

Consider talking or meeting with somebody you trust to discuss what you’ve learned this week and how it’s helping you to grow emotionally and spiritually. 

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Through each service at South Ridge Church we regularly try to answer three specific questions. 

The first question: Who is God? It’s our hope that through songs, prayer, and the reading of Scripture, we would all grow in our understanding of the nature of God. 

The second question: Who am I? Similar to the previous question, we recognize the need to regularly remind ourselves as followers of Christ that we are children and friends of God. He delights in knowing us as we delight in knowing Him. (For those who haven’t professed faith in Christ, it’s an opportunity to consider – Where am I in my relationship with God?)

The final question: Who is God inviting me to be (or become)? For each and every one of us, God is inviting us to continually grow into the people He has made us to be.  

In Ephesians 4:24, we read that God is inviting followers of Christ to be something remarkable – we are invited to live as Christ lived, in righteousness and holiness. This is impossible to accomplish on our own, but because God lives within us, He can express Himself through us in love. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     EPHESIANS 4:17-24

Who is God inviting you to be today? 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that sometimes I am afraid to think about who You may be inviting me to be, because You may have a plan for my life that is different from my own plans. Continue to help me see that the life you are inviting me to live and experience is a life of joy, peace, and contentment. As such, Your invitation is not to be ignored, but is instead to be received so that I may experience real life. May I accept Your invitation today and every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Some of the topics and themes from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians appeared in his other letters as well. For example, in Paul’s letter to the Colossians he also noted the importance of putting off your old nature and replacing it with your new nature. 

In Colossians 3:5-15, we see various aspects of the old nature versus the new nature. A note from the Life Application Study Bible on Ephesians 4:17-24 reads:

Although we have a new nature, we don’t automatically think all good thoughts and express all godly attitudes when we become new people in Christ. But if we keep listening to God, we will be changing all the time. As you look back over last year, do you see a process of change for the better in your thoughts, attitudes, and actions? Although change may be slow, it comes as you trust God to change you.

As you read today, consider some of the ways God has been working within you, continually shaping your new nature. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 3:5-15 (also read the commentary notes in your study bible of choice)

As you look back over the last year of your life, do you see a process of change for the better in your thoughts, attitudes, and actions? Write out a couple of specific examples. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that sometimes I look over my life and am ashamed of some of mistakes or unhealthy decisions I’ve made. But today’s reading has helped me to see that my life isn’t completely full of mistakes, but is also full of healthy choices. You are surely impacting my thoughts, attitudes, and actions as I continue to trust in You. Continue to mold me into the person You have made me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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