Life Church - Salisbury

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 is the most practical passage so far in the book of Ephesians. It contains thirteen commands—thirteen do’s and do not’s. But these thirteen commands aren’t just a list of rules to follow. They show us a pattern. They lay out for us the family resemblance. They give us a picture of the God who loves us, the God whom we love, whom we are also called to imitate, as beloved children.

We can see five groups of commands. Each involves something to put off, and something to put on. Number one: Put off lying and put on truth-telling (4:25). Number two: Put off unrighteous anger and put on righteous anger (4:26-27). Number three: Put off theft and put on honest work and generosity (4:28). Number four: Put off corrupt talk and put on edifying talk (4:29-30). Number five: Put off bitterness and rage and put on kindness and forgiveness (4:31-32).

The foundation of Christian ethics is not guilt. It isn’t an overwhelming sense of how we’ve failed or how we need to grow. The foundation of Christian ethics is grace. Paul does not say: Imitate God so that you can become his beloved children. He says: Because you already are beloved children, imitate the Father who loves you. He doesn’t say: Love so that Christ will love you back. He says: Love because Christ has already loved you—from eternity past, through the manger, through the cross, through the empty tomb—all the way to forever.

So, ask yourself: What do I need to put off? And what do I need to put on? But then do that—put off sin and put on holiness—by fixing your eyes on the Savior who loves you.

📸: Faye Atkins

And they are off! Student Life and Life Kids are headed to Teen Valley Ranch this week. Join us in praying for our students (and leaders) using these guided prayer prompts over the next six days.

One service this weekend.

This Sunday is also a family worship weekend, which means that Life Kids will be available from birth through pre-Kindergarten.

See you at 10:00!