Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 4:1-16 (day seven)
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love”–v 2.
When Paul talks about a life that is worthy of God’s calling, humility is the first virtue on his list. Is it first on ours? Do we see the insult that our pride is to God, the disruption it causes in our fellowship? Paul calls for humility–the willingness to take a low position, a thankless task. He speaks of gentleness–a broken spirit that does God’s will without protest or pouting. He names patience — “long suffering”, not quitting when a task or relationship gets difficult. He calls for us to bear with others–to give grace when people are flawed and selfish. He insists on love–“if I have not love, I am nothing” he will say in 1 Corinthians 13. Strange isn’t it? Most of us, apart from Paul’s help, would have a different priority. But, for people of the Spirit, humility is first.
