Jun. 19, 2024

therefore: Ephesians Chapters 1-3: Doctrine. Unity is not uniformity in the body of Christ. He brings attention to our calling in life as a Christian--walking consistently and not begrudgingly and walking joyfully. Our calling is salvation. We are to live a life glorifying God, not the world.  (Ephesians 4, ¹ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called).

Psalm 89, ²⁷ Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

lowliness: genuine humility; lie low; opposite of pride. Meekness is not weakness. (Ephesians 4, ² With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love).

The goal is to keep the unity of the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4, ³ Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace).

We need to surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit.

lowliness: Putting Christ first; putting others second; putting yourself last.

Philippians 2, ⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name).

Ephesians 2, ¹² That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Romans 12, ³ For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Pride is a sin. Pride was the first sin. 

I will--pride. (Isaiah 14, ¹² How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! ¹³ For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: ¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High).

When pride comes, then comes disgrace. (Proverbs 11, ² When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom).

We are to boast in the Lord. ((1 Corinthians 10, ³¹ Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God).

1 John 2, ¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 

Proverbs 16, ¹⁸ Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

We have to crucify this sinful flesh every day.

James 4, ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

1 Peter 5, ⁵ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.