BECOMING

God takes those dead in sins and makes them alive in Christ through obedience to the gospel (2:1-6). They are saved by work, but it is God's work, not theirs (2:7-10). (Of course salvation is not unconditional - yet God, not man, is in this passage the praiseworthy worker). In Christ, however, they are to go to work working at becoming what God wants them to be.

God's grace counts us righteous, sanctified, wise and redeemed, - in Christ - even though WE are none of these things ourselves (1 Cor. 1:30). He can do this as we identify with Christ, because He is all this. In Him (in union with Him), we share His attributes so far as God is concerned. But we are then to BECOME what God has graciously called us.

This lesson considers our "becoming" what God would have us be. It deals primarily with Ephesians 4 and 5.

Body

I. WITH REFERENCE TO EACH OTHER: BECOME KIND ONES (4:32.)

   A. The word "kind" here literally is "kind ones." We are to become this, even if at the present we do not measure up to such a description.

   B. We are members of each other (4:25).

   C. We are not to give bad treatment to one another.

        1. In attitude (bitterness, wrath, anger, malice, 4:31).

        2. In speech (no lying, 4:25; no corrupt speech, 4:29; no evil speaking, 4:31).

        3. In actions (no stealing, 4:28; no clamor, 4:31).

   D. We are positively to be good to each other.

        1. In attitude (tenderhearted, forgiving, 4:32).

        2. In speech (edifying, minister grace, 4:29).

        3. In action (share with needy, 4:28).

II. WITH REFERENCE TO GOD AND CHRIST: BECOME IMITATORS (FOLLOWERS, 5:1).

   A. The greatest basis for morality.

   B. This is proper in a family situation.

        1. God is the Father.

        2. We are dear children.

   C. God has shown us (in Christ) how we should act.

        1. Forgive each other (4:32).

        2. Walk in love (5:2).

        3. Have proper family love and care (5:25, 29).

III. WITH REFERENCE TO WORLD: DO NOT BECOME PARTNERS IN EVIL (5:7).

   A. Reason for this.

        1. God's wrath comes on such (5:6).

        2. Not fitting for saints (5:3).

        3. We are children of light, not darkness (5:7, 8).

   B. Relationship toward evil.

        1. Not participate in (have fellowship in) activities which belong to "darkness," that is, immorality, here described in 5:2-8.

        2. Reprove such a life by living godly lives (5:11, see also Amplified Version here). Light makes darkness manifest (5:13).

IV. WITH REFERENCE TO WILL OF GOD: BECOME WISE ONES (5:17).

   A. We are to understand what the will of God is.

        1. Because we live in a world of darkness.

        2. This is in keeping with the call of Scriptures (5:14).

Conclusion

We are not yet all we should be. What we are is by God's grace. But we are constantly to become more and more pleasing to Him. God is not as interested in the speed as He is the direction. Let each Christian determine to become what God already considers Him in Christ.

Back to Chapter 14 Forward to Chapter 16