Suggested Readings To Read Through The Bible In A Year
Wednesday December 10, 2008 Ephesians 4 through 6
Thursday December 11, 2008 Philippians 1 through 3
Friday December 12, 2008 Philippians 4 through Colossians 2
Saturday December 13, 2008 Colossians 3 through 1 Thessalonians 3
Sunday December 14, 2008 1 Thessalonians 4 through 2 Thessalonians 2
Wednesday December 10, 2008 Ephesians 4 through 6
Ephesians 4 through 6 is a “handbook for Christian living”. In the first three chapters of Ephesians Paul outlines for us what Jesus has done for us in order that we may become his Church. Then in chapter 4 Paul begins to give us instructions on how to live out the relationship that is ours through grace and faith.
A few years ago – actually quite a few — people wore bracelets, t-shirts, caps, and other apparel that had the letters W.W.J.D. imprinted on them in some way. And while the phrase that stands for does not appear in the Bible, there are verses that give validity to the question.
Ephes. 5:1-2
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Imitate God - live like he does, talk like he talks, think like he thinks . . . imitate God. And of course our clearest picture of God is Jesus. He told the disciples that since they had seen him they had seen the Father. So, the question of “What Would Jesus Do?” does indeed become a valid way to make decisions and take action.
Paul follows up his directive to imitate God by talking about several areas of our lives where we need to be very conscious of doing what Jesus would do. He speaks to our relationships – relationships to one another as Christians – as husband and wife – parents and children - and employee and employer. Our faith is lived out in the arena of relationships. We prove our love for Jesus and the fact that he is the Lord of our lives by the way we treat each other. Paul said we are to live a life of love – a self sacrificing love like Jesus gave to us.
So the question for me today is, will I treat my wife different if I am imitating God? Will I deal differently with my children if I am doing for them what Jesus would do? Would Jesus be sure to show up to work on time every do, and give an honest day’s work for a day’s pay? Would he make sure that everything he did was to help his employer to make a profit? How would Jesus treat his employees? What would Jesus do?
“He became what we are that He might make us what He is.”—Athanasius of Alexandria
