Monday, September 14, 2009

What are the Benefits and Responsibilities of Being in Christ?

Ephesians chaptera 3 and 4 show us that there are many benefits from being a part of God's family as well as responsibilities. What are the benefits that you see? What are the responsibilities?

The Benefits of Being In Christ:

1. Ephesians 3:12 (12In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.) tells us that we may approach God with confidence.

2. Ephesians 3:18-19 (18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.) tells us that we get to experience the AMAZING love of Christ!

The Responsibilities of Being In Christ:

1. Ephesians 4:2 (2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love) shows us that we need to be humblre, gentle, and patient

2. Ephesians 4:11 (11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers) shows us that God calls us to different roles in the church body.

3. Ephesians 4:22-24 (22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.) shows us that we need to die to our old self and be reborn

4. Ephesians 4:25 (25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body) tells us that we are not to lie.

5. Ephesians 4:26-27 ("In your anger do not sin"[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold) and Ephesians 4:31 (31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice) tells us that we should not act upon our anger and that we need to get rid of our anger because it can give the devil a foothold.

6. Ephesians 4:28 (28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.) tells us that we should not steal and that we should be giving to those in need.

7. Ephesians 4:29 ( 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen) tells us that we should not gossip or talk badly about people.

8. Ephesians 4:32 ( 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.) tells us that we need to share the love and forgiveness of Christ with everyone.