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Ephesians 4:1-32 (MSG)

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¹ In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk--better yet, run!--on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I ² And mark that you do this with humility and discipline--not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, ³ alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. ⁴ You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. ⁵ You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. ⁷ But that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift. ⁸ The text for this is, He climbed the high mountain, He captured the enemy and seized the booty, He handed it all out in gifts to the people. ⁹ It's true, is it not, that the One who climbed up also climbed down, down to the valley of earth? ¹⁰ And the One who climbed down is the One who climbed back up, up to highest heaven. He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, ¹¹ filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher ¹² to train Christians in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church, ¹³ until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. ¹⁴ No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. ¹⁵ God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love--like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. ¹⁶ He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. ¹⁷ And so I insist--and God backs me up on this--that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. ¹⁸ They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. ¹⁹ They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. ²⁰ But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! ²¹ My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. ²² Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything--and I do mean everything--connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life--a God-fashioned life, ²³ a life renewed from the inside ²⁴ and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. ²⁵ What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. ²⁶ Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry--but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. ²⁷ Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. ²⁸ Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work. ²⁹ Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. ³⁰ Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted. ³¹ Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. ³² Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.


This passage relates to the following topic(s):
(v. 2) Humility - Be completely humble and gentle
(v. 2) Love - Bear with one another in love
(v. 2) Gentleness - Be completely humble and gentle
(v. 3) Eagerness / Diligence / Seeking / Readiness - Make every effort to keep the unity
(v. 3) Unity - Make every effort to keep the unity
(v. 4) Baptism / Conversions - One body, one baptism, one Lord
(v. 4) Church - One body, one baptism, one Lord
(v. 5) Baptism / Conversions - One body, one baptism, one Lord
(v. 5) Church - One body, one baptism, one Lord
(v. 6) Baptism / Conversions - One body, one baptism, one Lord
(v. 6) Church - One body, one baptism, one Lord
(v. 11) Leadership - God gave some the gift of leadership
(v. 11) Growth / Maturity - God has given each other to help us mature
(v. 12) Leadership - God gave some the gift of leadership
(v. 12) Growth / Maturity - God has given each other to help us mature
(v. 13) Growth / Maturity - God has given each other to help us mature
(v. 14) Growth / Maturity - God has given each other to help us mature
(v. 15) Unity - Together to grow and build each other up in love
(v. 15) Discipling / Correction - Speaking the truth in love and build each other up
(v. 16) Discipling / Correction - Speaking the truth in love and build each other up
(v. 16) Unity - Together to grow and build each other up in love
(v. 17) Discipling / Correction - Speaking the truth in love and build each other up
(v. 18) Heart - Ignorance comes from the hardening of our hearts
(v. 18) Word of God / Teaching / Knowledge - Ignorance comes from the hardening of our hearts
(v. 21) Honesty / Truth / Vows / Oath - Truth is in Jesus
(v. 26) Anger / Fits of Rage / Bitterness - Do not sin in anger
(v. 26) Anger / Fits of Rage / Bitterness - Do not let the sun go down while you are angry
(v. 27) Sin / Wickedness / Satan - Do not give the devil a foothold
(v. 29) Speaking / Gossip / Lying / Slander - Only words helpful for building others up according to their needs
(v. 29) Speaking / Gossip / Lying / Slander - Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth
(v. 31) Hatred - Get rid of all bitterness
(v. 31) Anger / Fits of Rage / Bitterness - Get rid of all bitterness
(v. 32) Forgiveness / Mercy / Atonement - Forgive each other
(v. 32) Kindness - Be kind to one another
(v. 32) Compassion / Concern - Be compassionate to one another

This passage is referenced in the following quiet time(s):
(v. 1) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 1) One Another - Reconciling with One Another (part 4) (2010-02-24)
(v. 1) Followup: Humility II (part I) (2011-09-10)
(v. 1) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 1) Day 30 - Joined Together in Love (2012-01-02)
(v. 2) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 2) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 2) Day 30 - Joined Together in Love (2012-01-02)
(v. 2) One Another (part I) (2011-03-15)
(v. 2) Followup: Humility II (part I) (2011-09-10)
(v. 2) One Another - Reconciling with One Another (part 4) (2010-02-24)
(v. 3) Day 30 - Joined Together in Love (2012-01-02)
(v. 3) One Another - Reconciling with One Another (part 2) (2010-02-22)
(v. 3) Kingdom First - Rapid Resolution (2010-01-11)
(v. 3) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 3) Followup: Humility II (part I) (2011-09-10)
(v. 3) Purpose Driven Life - Protecting Your Church (2008-06-14)
(v. 3) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 3) 30 Days at the Cross - United Hearts (2008-08-24)
(v. 4) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 4) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 4) Followup: Humility II (part I) (2011-09-10)
(v. 4) Mission - Baptizing Them (2010-11-28)
(v. 5) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 5) Followup: Humility II (part I) (2011-09-10)
(v. 5) Mission - Baptizing Them (2010-11-28)
(v. 5) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 6) Mission - Baptizing Them (2010-11-28)
(v. 6) Followup: Humility II (part I) (2011-09-10)
(v. 6) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 6) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 7) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 7) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 8) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 8) Waking Dead - At War (part 2) (2010-08-07)
(v. 9) Waking Dead - At War (part 2) (2010-08-07)
(v. 9) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 10) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 11) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 11) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 11) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 11) Life to the Full - In His Steps (part 2) (2010-04-19)
(v. 12) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 12) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 12) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 13) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 13) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 13) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 13) Purpose Driven Life - It Takes Time (2008-06-22)
(v. 14) Men Leave Childhood Behind (2013-09-11)
(v. 14) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 14) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 15) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 15) One Another - Making it Clear (2009-09-25)
(v. 15) Men Leave Childhood Behind (2013-09-11)
(v. 15) Raising Awesome Kids - Openness (2009-01-13)
(v. 15) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 15) One Another - Speaking the Truth in Love (2009-10-06)
(v. 16) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 16) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 17) Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 8) (2010-07-21)
(v. 17) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 18) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 18) Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 8) (2010-07-21)
(v. 19) Mind of Christ - About Self (part II) (2011-07-16)
(v. 19) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 19) Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 8) (2010-07-21)
(v. 20) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 21) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 22) Mind of Christ - Relationship with God (part VI) (2011-07-05)
(v. 22) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 22) Purpose Driven Life - Created to Become Like Christ (2008-06-15)
(v. 23) Purpose Driven Life - How We Grow (2008-06-16)
(v. 23) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 23) Mind of Christ - Relationship with God (part VI) (2011-07-05)
(v. 23) Purpose Driven Life - Created to Become Like Christ (2008-06-15)
(v. 24) Waking Dead - Christ's Great Works (2010-09-20)
(v. 24) Purpose Driven Life - Created to Become Like Christ (2008-06-15)
(v. 24) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 24) Mind of Christ - Relationship with God (part VI) (2011-07-05)
(v. 25) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 26) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 26) Teach Us To Pray - In Marriage and Family (2008-09-12)
(v. 26) Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 4) (2010-09-12)
(v. 27) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 27) Teach Us To Pray - In Marriage and Family (2008-09-12)
(v. 27) Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 4) (2010-09-12)
(v. 27) Purpose Driven Life - Overcoming Temptation (2008-06-21)
(v. 28) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 29) Day 27 - Learning to be Loyal (2011-12-30)
(v. 29) Followup: Relationships in the Body (part II) (2011-09-15)
(v. 29) Followup - Relationships Demonstrated (2011-01-29)
(v. 29) Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone (part 2) (2010-04-21)
(v. 29) Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk (2009-01-11)
(v. 29) Kingdom First - Personal Responsibility (part 1) (2010-01-27)
(v. 29) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 29) Holy Spirit (part II) (2011-01-05)
(v. 30) Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone (part 2) (2010-04-21)
(v. 30) Blessings In Christ (part VI) (2012-03-10)
(v. 30) Prayer of the Righeous - Knowing God through His Word (part I) (2013-03-20)
(v. 30) Holy Spirit (part II) (2011-01-05)
(v. 30) Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk (2009-01-11)
(v. 31) Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk (2009-01-11)
(v. 31) Holy Spirit (part II) (2011-01-05)
(v. 31) One Another - Forgiving One Another (part 2) (2010-02-26)
(v. 31) Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone (part 2) (2010-04-21)
(v. 31) Mind Change - Forgive (2011-11-11)
(v. 32) Hurtful Examples and Lies (2013-08-27)
(v. 32) One Another (part III) (2011-03-17)
(v. 32) Mind Change - Forgive (2011-11-11)
(v. 32) One Another (part I) (2011-03-15)
(v. 32) Holy Spirit (part II) (2011-01-05)
(v. 32) Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk (2009-01-11)
(v. 32) Falling in Love with God - Bitterness (2008-04-02)
(v. 32) One Another - Forgiving One Another (part 2) (2010-02-26)
(v. 32) Promises of God - Forgiving Others (2009-03-04)

This passage is referenced in the following study note(s):
(v. 2) Devotional: Pride and Humility (2008-12-12)
(v. 11) Devotional: Leadership in the Church (2008-12-18)
(v. 12) Devotional: Leadership in the Church (2008-12-18)
(v. 13) Devotional: Leadership in the Church (2008-12-18)
(v. 29) Sermon: Practical ways to live by the spirit (2015-08-02)
(v. 30) Sermon: Practical ways to live by the spirit (2015-08-02)
(v. 31) Sermon: Practical ways to live by the spirit (2015-08-02)
(v. 32) Sermon: Free the prisoners (2013-04-28)
(v. 32) Sermon: Practical ways to live by the spirit (2015-08-02)