PCL - PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN LIFE ~ Precious Victor Akah

We will begin by reading Ephesians 4:25-32. We will be reading it in a translation/version that I find so interesting and easy to grasp for everyone (regardless of your position spiritually and your level of spiritual understanding). This Scripture explains to us practical ways to live now that we are in Christ and as Children of Light. So in case you just surrendered your life to Christ recently and you're wondering how should I live the Christian life or maybe you've been born again for long, yet you're still unsure how to practically live the Christian life, this Scripture will really be of great help to you. You can study and meditate on it personally after reading this post, I believe the Holy Spirit will shine greater light on it to you.

Let's read. Ephesians 4:25-32 New Living Translation: 

25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

So this Scripture gives us practical instructions on the things we should do and not do, to be able to live lives worthy of the Christian faith we profess. Kindly note that these instructions are given to those who are already in Christ (individuals who are born again) because we now have the Holy Spirit living in us, empowering us to do these things, for in the energy of the flesh, no man can really follow these instructions to the letter. Therefore, if you're reading this and you're not yet born again, please don't pen down these instructions in a piece of paper or copy and paste them on an enote on your smartphone, like some people do with the ten commandments, thinking that simply adhering to the ten commandments is all they need to please God and make heaven, no, my dear.

It is important you first surrender your life to Jesus, be born again first, so that you'll receive the Holy Spirit, who'll supply you with the power, courage and boldness you need to follow these instructions. Otherwise, you'll be deceiving yourself to think that you'll be able to follow these instructions by your own will and strength.

Back to the Scripture we just read, we are given the following instructions to keep as children of God; keeping these instructions will make unbelievers (the unsaved people around us) know that we are different from the world and that we are indeed children of God. First on the list is surprisingly telling the truth, which many people today no longer take very serious. We all can attest to the fact that it takes the Spirit of Truth (the Holy Spirit) indwelling a person for any individual to really be a truthful person. Without the Spirit of God, even the best of us that profess to be a person of integrity and honesty can lie under certain circumstances. So to completely stop telling lies (which is what all of us used to do as sinners) and speak the truth with wisdom, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit and possess adequate knowledge of God's Word.

Second on the list is having control over anger. We all get angry once in a while, but this Scripture reveals to us that staying angry all day or letting anger control us, gives the devil a foothold in our lives. A foothold is a secure position from which further progress may be made. Let's be wary of this. Again, the Holy Spirit helps us gain control over anger. Third on the list is the instruction to stop or avoid taking what does not belong to us. To stop stealing, cheating, scamming and defrauding people, and deceiving people to obtain their valuables, assets and priceless resources. But to rather work with our own hands, diligently and legitimately, so that we'll have enough to meet our needs and also generously meet the needs of others. Since God blesses us not only for us to have enough, but to also be a blessing to others.

Fourth instruction is for us to be careful not to use abusive and foul (vulgar) language, not to use contemptuous and derogatory words on someone, not to curse, disrespect, insult, or hurl abuses on people. But to ensure that the words that comes out of our mouth like Colossians 4:6 rightly puts it, is gracious and seasoned with salt (good and helpful) so that it'll edify and provide encouragement to the hearers.

Fifth instruction says we must avoid bringing sorrow and grief to the Holy Spirit living in us, by living contrary to the instructions of the Bible and in disobedience to God. We must do our best to bring joy and gladness to the Holy Spirit by obeying His instructions and following His guidance, remembering that He has identified us as His own and He is the assurance/guarantee of our salvation (Ephesians 1:14).

The Sixth instruction we are given is straightforward and clearly expressed: Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. 

I believe you have found the instructions given in this passage of the Bible very helpful in practically living the life of Christ you now have. May the Holy Spirit indwelling you, sufficiently supply you with the power and grace you need to follow these instructions, to bring glory and pleasure to God.

Stay blessed.

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