The Jesus Way
Living the Jesus way of life is hard. With all of our schedules to do lists. Every ambition that we have. The relationships that float in and out of our lives… And of course the pain and hurt from those relationships. It’s hard to continue to grow in our faith with things like hurt and resentment that build up over time. How do we manage that? It’s easy to use cliche phrases to help us move on, right? Live and let live. No harm no foul. But the truth is, some of these hurts have been there a long time. Piling up over and over as time goes on. Some we don’t even realize until someone or something triggers a painful memory. Left to our own devices, we could harbor ill feelings and even resentment for a long time. But is that what we are called to if we call ourselves followers of Jesus?
As apprentices of Jesus, aren’t we called to something more? When Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesian church, it was to remind them of who they are in their relationship to Jesus Christ. The second half of the letter were instructions on how to live that out. He began that section of the text by saying this, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:1-2).
A life worthy of the calling to follow Jesus. It seems impossible at times when forgiveness feels like an impossible task. So how do we live this life out then? Paul answers that question by saying this, Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Forgiveness is as easy and as hard giving it the way Christ gave it to you. Freely. And at great cost to himself. In the late 90s, there was a wonderful song written by Big Tent Revival that goes like this: All the shame the Savior bore that even God could look no more. The sins of future, now, and past. He paid it all, and breathed His last. Father please forgive them, they know not what they do. I will be the sacrifice, for all they've done to You. Turn Your wrath upon me Lord, Your one and only son. Please forgive them, they know not what they've done (Big Tent Revival, Please Forgive Them).
Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for your forgiveness. Breathed his last for your grace and redemption. Freely… What Paul says is this is the way we are to forgive if we want to grow in our apprenticeship with Jesus. To forgive the pain of the past so that relationships may be redeemed. To let go so we can move forward.
If you curse me, then I will bless you. If you hurt me, I will forgive; And if you hate me, then I will love you. I choose the Jesus way (Phil Wickham, The Jesus Way). I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (Ephesians 4:1).
How can you answer that call today?
As apprentices of Jesus, aren’t we called to something more? When Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesian church, it was to remind them of who they are in their relationship to Jesus Christ. The second half of the letter were instructions on how to live that out. He began that section of the text by saying this, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:1-2).
A life worthy of the calling to follow Jesus. It seems impossible at times when forgiveness feels like an impossible task. So how do we live this life out then? Paul answers that question by saying this, Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Forgiveness is as easy and as hard giving it the way Christ gave it to you. Freely. And at great cost to himself. In the late 90s, there was a wonderful song written by Big Tent Revival that goes like this: All the shame the Savior bore that even God could look no more. The sins of future, now, and past. He paid it all, and breathed His last. Father please forgive them, they know not what they do. I will be the sacrifice, for all they've done to You. Turn Your wrath upon me Lord, Your one and only son. Please forgive them, they know not what they've done (Big Tent Revival, Please Forgive Them).
Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for your forgiveness. Breathed his last for your grace and redemption. Freely… What Paul says is this is the way we are to forgive if we want to grow in our apprenticeship with Jesus. To forgive the pain of the past so that relationships may be redeemed. To let go so we can move forward.
If you curse me, then I will bless you. If you hurt me, I will forgive; And if you hate me, then I will love you. I choose the Jesus way (Phil Wickham, The Jesus Way). I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (Ephesians 4:1).
How can you answer that call today?
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