Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (NRSV)
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Verse 25So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Verse 26Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, Verse 27and do not make room for the devil. Verse 28Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Verse 29Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. Verse 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Verse 31Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, Verse 32and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
Chapter 5Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, Verse 2and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Devotion
“Be angry but do not sin.” Anger is a human emotion, but sin is not far from it. Bitterness, wrath, wrangling, slander, and malice are so easily associated with it. Anger hasn’t changed much through the years. Sin’s grip runs rampant in the world, but the ways of this world and our sinful selves are not meant to guide our ways. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit,” the writer to the Ephesians says. Washed with water of baptism and sealed with the promise of the Trinity, we are children of God. We are forgiven and free. Anger is not a sin, but we are not to let the sun go down on our anger. Speak the truth with our neighbors. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Give as you have been given. Build one another up. Our words, grounded in God’s word, give grace to those who hear.
Prayer
Forgiving God, thank you for your abundant grace in our lives. May we live as people redeemed by Christ so that all may know your love. Amen.
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