Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words

How does God expect us to treat each other as a church family? Look at Ephesians 4 and 5 —  

• Always be humble and gentle (2). 
• Be patient and accept each other with love (2). 
• Be unified through God’s spirit (3-6). 
• Use any talents and abilities to make the church stronger (11-12).
• Work together as a church to reach a greater level of spiritual maturity (13-16). 
• Avoid living like the world, because they can’t have the life God gives (17-24). 
• Avoid telling lies, and always be truthful with our Christian family (25).
• Avoid getting too angry, because it gives satan a way to defeat us (26-27). 
• Avoid stealing, instead work for what we need and share with those who need it (28).  
• Avoid cursing and hateful speech, instead encourage people (σαπρος means rotten speech) because we can make God sad with our speech (29-30). 
• Avoid being bitter, angry, or mad, don’t raise your voice when mad, or say things that hurt other people, and don’t do anything evil (31). 
• Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just like God forgives us (32).