Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:2b
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Ephesians 4:2
Continuing to dive into the apostolic exhortation, plea and urging of Paul to the believers in Ephesus, we learned in the transition that occurred from doctrine to duties, and principles to practices (1:1-3:21), the first appeal brought by the apostle with regards to the matter of walking in a manner worthy of the calling to which they have been called is humility and gentleness (4:2a). He proceeds to provide the second appeal which is necessary for the believers in Ephesus to maintain the conduct of humility and gentleness – patience. This virtue is necessary for preserving the first two mentioned, they are inseparable from each other as a clear manifestation of the calling that they have, already taken place or effect from the Lord.
Proceeding to the next appeal where Paul deeply urges the believers in Ephesus (and us as well) in response to the Christian blessedness (1:3-3:21), is to walk with patience: I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience (vv.1-2b)”. Patience here can be also understood as “longsuffering” which means possessing a calm temper which can bear evils without murmuring or discontent. This is bearing injuries (from others) or provocation for a long time or not easily provoked. This virtue is of course a byproduct of Christian submission to the divine will and is definitely agreeable to the One who gave the calling of the real genuine Christian, who is patient both with unbelievers and believers. Both with the sinners and those who delight in Him. This exhortation is beneficial in many ways. We are urged to walk with patience that we may truly learn to wait patiently for God, to endure uncomplainingly the various forms of sufferings, wrongs, and evils that we meet with [providentially], to patiently bear injustices which we cannot immediately heal, and provocations (from people inside and outside the faith) we cannot remove.
Remember, dear saint, we who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. We all know that for those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. And since you are sons of God now and the Spirit dwells in you, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh, and the fruit of the Spirit is patience! Dear saint, as you exercise patience in all things, especially for the purpose of bearing injuries from the brothers (even unbelievers), know for certain that you are reflecting the image of your Lord and Savior, and the Spirit is dwelling in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.
Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!
Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!
Take heart, dear saint!
Reflect
1. Are you living a life worthy of the calling with which you have been called to as a believer of the Lord?
2. Is your life marked by patience?
3. Do you continue to grow in need of His grace?
4. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!
Pray
Father, I come before You, in the name of Your Son, to humbly ask You of Your grace this day. According to Your words, Father, grant me patience that I may be able to possess a life truly worthy to the calling that You have called me through Your Son. I ask, Father, that You prune me, that I may truly bear the fruit of the Spirit – patience. I ask this, Father, for I know that it is Your will for me to be conformed in the image of Your Son who is patient to us. I ask this for His glory and in His Name, Father. Amen.
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