“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love” Eph. 4:2.
Last week we introduced the idea of the “worthy walk” (4:1). This week we will begin to look at it in more detail. You will quickly see an emphasis on love and unity. Do you know why? It’s simple, really! It is difficult to live together in community. It is difficult enough for a husband and wife to get along when living under the same roof. Now multiply that a hundred times or so and you get some idea of why it is difficult for members of the same church to get along.
But get along, we must! We cannot afford for our lack of unity to become a barrier that keeps us from fulfilling our God given mission. Paul lists four virtues that should be characteristic of believers. They bear a striking resemblance to the fruit of the Spirit. Thus they are not achieved by “trying harder” but by surrender. We cannot make excuses for not exhibiting these virtues simply because they are not natural to us. They aren’t supposed to be natural. They are supernatural.
Humility is best modeled by Christ whose life and death were one of service and sacrifice without any thought to His own reputation (Phil. 2:5-11). Humility means that we will see the needs of others as having greater importance than our own. Gentleness describes power under control. The person who is gentle or meek does not attempt to assert his/her own authority to get their own way. Patience speaks of a slowness to retaliate when hurt by another. “Showing tolerance” is the practical outworking of patience. It causes us to continue to love another when that person’s faults offend or displease us. All these virtues must be practiced in the context of love. There is not “holier than thou” attitude associated with love.
Can you imagine how this verse can change your home and your church?
Prayer: Father, fill me with Your Spirit so that I may exhibit these virtues. Amen