On Pentecost Sunday Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey calls the Church to live out the truth of the gospel.
READ EPHESIANS 4:25–5:2
The book of Ephesians is a “circular” letter, meaning it wasn’t directed to one particular church but was passed from one congregation to another. In chapters 1–3, the writer deals with some great truths of the Christian faith, and in chapter 4 the author explores how we can live out those truths. Ephesians 4:25-32 (The Message) says this:
- No more lies
- Be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge
- Watch the way you talk
- Don’t break God’s heart
- Forgive one another
These rules make sense on one level, but we still have trouble living by them. Too often we distrust those who disagree with us and choose to believe that we alone have the answers. We fear those who are different. We care for ourselves and our passions first. And yet . . . listen:
“Watch what God does, and then you do it. . . . Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with [God] and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)
Our call is to live an extravagant life of love that exceeds the rational limits of our society, our culture, and our world. A love so simple, yet so profound. A love so extravagant that we willingly give ourselves away for the sake of God, for the sake of Christ, and for the sake of the world.
Loving God, give us hearts for love alone so that when our day is done and our work complete, it is you who is glorified. Amen.
—Deborah L. Kiesey
Last Updated on December 29, 2022