Ephesians 4: 28 – 31 NLT
“If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
When I first read that opening statement – “If you are a thief, quit stealing” – I shrugged. I don’t steal. But then I read, “Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.” Talk about opposite statements. Don’t steal! Work hard; give!
At work, it’s often easy to steal in a small way. Slow down on the job to make it easier and more pleasant. Perhaps take some things home that won’t be missed at work. Make a mistake, but don’t own up to it. After all, the company can afford to correct the mistake. Pass off some work to someone else, but then take the credit for it. I think you can see how stealing can show up in a variety of ways. It doesn’t have to be a blatant robbery of some kind.
Instead are you known at work for doing a good job? Does the boss know he can trust you – with small tasks, with big ones? Do your fellow employees enjoy working with you? Just some things to think about.
And if you work hard, are you generous? Just like yesterday’s verses, Paul tells us opposite reactions. Don’t be trying to get things primarily for yourself (stealing), be giving. Do you mind giving that boss a little extra time? How generous are you in giving to the church and/or other good organizations? How generous are you with your time and money for family, for friends, for others around you when you see a need of some kind?
Then the verses hit us with what we say. What kind of language comes out of your mouth? How much do you swear? How often do you criticize someone with words? Do your words tend to be negative or positive?
I had a great partner when I was teaching in alternative education. One day I noticed that he appeared a little uneasy, and then said he thought I should be aware of something. He thought I tended to be too sarcastic in my comments to students, that I tended to show them what needed to be corrected more than telling them they did something well. I’ll never forget that conversation that we had. It hit home like a sledgehammer, but it completely changed the way I interacted with the students and with all the other people in my life. I’m so thankful he got up the courage to talk with me.
“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (verse 29)
Paul goes on to tell us to get rid of a list of things, but let’s focus on the positive way he ends this chapter. “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Let’s reread that verse. “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
When I stop to think of God’s love for me – his willingness to sacrifice his son, Jesus – his help by giving me his Holy Spirit who lives in me … I really need to pause and think about my life these days. Are there ways I can be kinder, more tenderhearted, more forgiving? As I wrote those questions, some things I need to do came to my mind.
“God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Our song for today is With Every Act of Love by Jason Gray.