Ephesians
4:17—5:2— Grieve not the Holy Spirit by imitating God in loving one another.
Paul continues to give ethical directions. The Holy
Spirit is not to be grieved by the possession of an evil spirit which is
expressed in bitterness, anger and malice. Rather the Christian is to be
possessed by the Holy Spirit that results in kindness and forgiving love. A model
is given for this kind of behavior in God and Christ who lived sacrificially.
Consequently, we are to walk (live) in love for each other with Christ as our
example. The seal of the Spirit was received at baptism. Possession of the
Spirit is a guarantee of salvation to be received on the day of redemption.
In this section of our reading from the book of
Ephesians, St Paul tells us that, since we have been set free from bondage to
sin and death, we should live outwardly in way that reflects our new life in
Christ. We are to live as children of light, no longer living in the darkness
of sin. Those in the world ought to see a difference in how Christians live
versus how the rest of the world lives. As children of God, we imitate God, not
the ways of the world.
Christ offers himself as a sacrifice to God and it had
a fragrance pleasing to God. The scent of the burnt offerings ascended to
heaven and the odor was beautiful. This says something about the cross. It was
more than a tragedy, more than an exhibition of God’s live; it was a sacrifice to
God the sins of the world. That sacrifice was made to save humankind from dying
for their sins. Since God was in Christ, God paid the full price himself. [2]
[1] Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut used with permission for
personal and congregational use copyright © WELS
[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff, © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
[3] Collect for reconciliation, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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