When Christ Is Lord
A life controlled
by Satan is not really a life at all. It is merely an existence. When Satan
controls: (1) Minds are futile (Ephesians
When Christ is Lord one puts on the new man.
"And that you put on the new man which
was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness."
(Ephesians 4:24.) This "regenerated
self" or new person is Godlike.
The purpose of your existence is to be like God, and so you please God
by being righteous and truly holy.
When Christ is Lord truth
and honesty is practiced. "Therefore, putting away lying, Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we
are members of one another." (Ephesians 4:25.) Christians are part of the
same spiritual body. Therefore, they must stop lying to one another and start
telling each other the truth.
When Christ is Lord goodwill
is shown. "Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on
your wrath." (Ephesians 4:26.) Don't get so angry that you allow yourself
to sin. Practice goodwill toward others by being careful not to go to bed
angry.
When Christ is Lord care
is shown to the needy. "Let him who stole steal no longer, but
rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have
something to give him who has need." (Ephesians 4:28.) God's people must
be honest and work hard. Christians must make an honest living for themselves
and also give to those in need.
When Christ is Lord our speech will be pure.
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good
for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."
(Ephesians 4:29.) God's people must stop all dirty talking. There is no place
for filthy language or unwholesome talk in the life of the redeemed. Those
who belong to God will be conscious of saying the right things at the right
time and of saying things that will help others.
When Christ is Lord un-Christ-like qualities
will stop. "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil
speaking be put away from you, with all malice." (Ephesians 4:31.) Those
who serve Christ as Lord will stop being angry and bitter at others. There is
no place for Christians to yell at each other, slander or blaspheme. God's
people must not curse each other or be rude to each other.
When Christ is Lord forgiveness
will be practiced. "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians
4:32.) God forgave us because of Christ. Because Christians have been
forgiven and also in order to be forgiven they must forgive others. Such
qualities as kindness, compassion, being loving and forgiving
will always be found in the life of a Christian.
When Christ is Lord one initiates God. "Therefore
be imitators of God as dear children." (Ephesians 5:1.) Christians are
to imitate God. They do as God does. Christians must imitate or copy God.
Remember that you are God's dear children.
When Christ is Lord one will walk in love. "And
walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering
and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2.)
Children of God must walk in love. Guided by love Christians will love others
and sacrifice for them. This is the result of understanding Christ's love and
sacrifice for us.
By Charles Box,