Day #4

Gotta keep up! Nearly there haha.


Another day gone by so fast, holidays will be ending far too soon. 


Anyways, Chapter 4 today, as I was reading through could sort of make out 2 main themes in the passage :


1. Structure and Role
2. Change


"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers..." (Eph 4:11)


This means 2 things : One, we are all given a very specific role to play in God's kingdom; and two, there is a sense of leadership and structure about the "ranks" (if they can be called that).


Each of us has been created unique and different. Thus we all have varying roles to play, roles which have been predestined for us to fit into by our Father. These roles are also unique, and no two are the same. But more often than not, we are so caught up in the system of the world and the desires of the flesh, that we end up being who WE want to be, instead of who GOD originally wanted us to be. 


And a body cannot function if its members are not aligned with the same understanding in mind. 


The sense "ranking" simply means that we have a responsibility towards those under our authority, ie. if anyone needs help, they should be able to receive that help from the next in line. Ultimately we are all responsible for each other, and towards God, but we must be careful that in our daily works, we do not overstep the boundaries of our responsibilities and try being someone else. Know what you are supposed to be doing, and do it in faith.


The second item is something closer to my heart, that is change.


"...that you PUT OFF, concerning your former conduct, the old man... and be renewed in the spirit of your mind..." (Eph 4:23)


This states very simply, and very clearly, that IF we have acknowledged that we are sinners and that Jesus is our saviour, then there MUST exist a change which seperates us from who we used to be. Much like a caterpillar shedding off its old self to become a butterfly through metamorphosis, so we must throw off our old man, "die to our old self", and be transformed into a new person. 


However, I of all people know that is not an easy task. I myself find shades of my old self resurfacing from time to time, all the while struggling to make sense of why and how to prevent that from happening again. 


Have we really put to death, for good, our old self? I wish I could answer that with much more confidence. 


Prayer : Dear Lord, you know my struggles, you know me; who I am. I submit all my struggles with putting off my old self to You, for You and You alone are in control dear God. Help me make a change, for the better, for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.