5 Characteristics God Desires in the Life of the Believer
Living the Christian life is so much more than what you do, and way more about who you are. It’s more than reading the bible, praying, and going to church as these are on the outside; the real issue is as a believer and knowing who you are in Christ. These are things we’ve learned from the first 3 chapters of Ephesians. Paul has a few things that he wants us to do, and these characteristics are what happen on the inside.
In chapter 2 Paul explained how God has brought two groups that were complete opposites and, in Christ, made them one group, the church. Chapter 3 showed that until we’ve been empowered by the Spirit, we can’t begin to see the power of God in our life. It all starts on the inside and that’s the issue of 4:1-6. The worthy walk begins in the heart while the rest of the book of Ephesians switches to practical issues.
In 4:1 we are called to the worthy walk based on the great theology of chapters 1-3 because theology dictates our actions. Correct theology will be shown in our life. When we act as the Bible says, the world will sit up and take notice so we can point them to our leader, the head of the church who is Christ.
Here are 5 Characteristics God Desires in the Life of Every Believer to show the world we belong to Him.
Ephesians 4:1-6
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
1. All Humility
James said in James 4:10 to “humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will life you up.” When we are obeying the Bible, we are walking the worthy walk and it all starts in our hearts.
Total humility leads to gentleness.
2. Gentleness
This is an attitude of meekness and mildness in contrast to dealing with others harshly. This is a willing submission to God and others with none of the rebellion that is common before we got saved. Gentleness is power under control. It doesn’t retaliate or react or seek vengeance for anything. If we are to have unity in the church, we must put on gentleness. Offending a Christian clothed like this is almost impossible unless it is against God.
When there’s humility like this there will be amazing unity. Humility is the key to unity, and where there is humility there will be gentleness, a non-retaliatory mentality.
3. Patience
This word in the Greek means long-suffering or long tempered. You don’t overreact or blow off the handle. This characteristic has three qualities.
1. This kind of patience will never let you give into negative circumstances. Hebrews says Abraham was promised to be a great nation and persisted through various trials and circumstances but never gave in.
2. It’s a little more than just being long tempered, it’s having an attitude that you can take anything that people can dish out.
3. The third idea of the word patience is an attitude to accept God’s plan for everything. When we put on humility it produces gentleness and when we live in this manner it produces patience. These are the most powerful testimony the church of Christ has.
4. Showing Tolerance
Tolerance is a product of patience which is a product of gentleness which is a product of humility.
This kind of love throws a blanket over evil and forgets about it. Paul says to walk worthy, live for Christ, and it all begins with a commitment that you will walk empowered by the Holy Spirit to clothe yourself with these qualities.
5. Displaying the Bond of Peace
When you put on these characteristics, and they’re not optional, we will have unity in the church and the world will sit up and take notice. That’s what God desires in the life of every believer so Christ will be lifted high and shown off to the world. When we live like this, we will see the community sitting up and taking notice, wondering what’s going on.
Two Takeaways
1. Your greatest testimony to your faith is these 5 characteristics. Each morning ask God to clothe you in each one and determine by the Spirit’s help to live like this.
2. The best way to a great marriage, great relationships and friendships is to practice these 5 characteristics.
In chapter 2 Paul explained how God has brought two groups that were complete opposites and, in Christ, made them one group, the church. Chapter 3 showed that until we’ve been empowered by the Spirit, we can’t begin to see the power of God in our life. It all starts on the inside and that’s the issue of 4:1-6. The worthy walk begins in the heart while the rest of the book of Ephesians switches to practical issues.
In 4:1 we are called to the worthy walk based on the great theology of chapters 1-3 because theology dictates our actions. Correct theology will be shown in our life. When we act as the Bible says, the world will sit up and take notice so we can point them to our leader, the head of the church who is Christ.
Here are 5 Characteristics God Desires in the Life of Every Believer to show the world we belong to Him.
Ephesians 4:1-6
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
1. All Humility
James said in James 4:10 to “humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will life you up.” When we are obeying the Bible, we are walking the worthy walk and it all starts in our hearts.
Total humility leads to gentleness.
2. Gentleness
This is an attitude of meekness and mildness in contrast to dealing with others harshly. This is a willing submission to God and others with none of the rebellion that is common before we got saved. Gentleness is power under control. It doesn’t retaliate or react or seek vengeance for anything. If we are to have unity in the church, we must put on gentleness. Offending a Christian clothed like this is almost impossible unless it is against God.
When there’s humility like this there will be amazing unity. Humility is the key to unity, and where there is humility there will be gentleness, a non-retaliatory mentality.
3. Patience
This word in the Greek means long-suffering or long tempered. You don’t overreact or blow off the handle. This characteristic has three qualities.
1. This kind of patience will never let you give into negative circumstances. Hebrews says Abraham was promised to be a great nation and persisted through various trials and circumstances but never gave in.
2. It’s a little more than just being long tempered, it’s having an attitude that you can take anything that people can dish out.
3. The third idea of the word patience is an attitude to accept God’s plan for everything. When we put on humility it produces gentleness and when we live in this manner it produces patience. These are the most powerful testimony the church of Christ has.
4. Showing Tolerance
Tolerance is a product of patience which is a product of gentleness which is a product of humility.
This kind of love throws a blanket over evil and forgets about it. Paul says to walk worthy, live for Christ, and it all begins with a commitment that you will walk empowered by the Holy Spirit to clothe yourself with these qualities.
5. Displaying the Bond of Peace
When you put on these characteristics, and they’re not optional, we will have unity in the church and the world will sit up and take notice. That’s what God desires in the life of every believer so Christ will be lifted high and shown off to the world. When we live like this, we will see the community sitting up and taking notice, wondering what’s going on.
Two Takeaways
1. Your greatest testimony to your faith is these 5 characteristics. Each morning ask God to clothe you in each one and determine by the Spirit’s help to live like this.
2. The best way to a great marriage, great relationships and friendships is to practice these 5 characteristics.
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