– Today’s Community Scripture – 9/9/2025
And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ!
My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:17–32 (MSG)
– Reflection:
There was a time when we were completely disconnected from God’s plan, outsiders to His promises, unaware of His purpose, and blind to the hope found in Christ. But now, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have been brought into something much greater than ourselves. Paul reminds us that this new life in Christ requires a new way of living. We are no longer to walk in confusion or selfishness but to be renewed in our minds and actions. That means letting go of bitterness, dishonesty, and anger, and instead choosing truth, compassion, and forgiveness. God didn’t just save us to sit still; He saved us to reflect His character in how we live and how we love others.
– Where do we go from here?
Now that we understand what Jesus did for us, bringing us close to God when we were far away, it’s time to live as if we belong to Him. That means making better choices every day. We don’t have to be perfect, but we should strive to be honest, kind, and forgiving. If we mess up, we ask God for help and keep moving forward. God gave us a new way to live, and it starts with how we treat others and how we carry ourselves. Let’s choose to be people who show love, speak truth, and bring peace wherever we go.
– Our Prayer for Today
Father, thank You for loving us even when we didn’t know You. Thank You for sending Jesus so we could be close to You. Help us today to live in a way that shows we belong to You. Teach us to let go of bad habits and to treat others with kindness, honesty, and love. When we get angry or feel like giving up, remind us that You are with us and that we can choose to do what’s right. Help us forgive others, just like You forgave us. We want to live a new life that makes you proud of us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ!
My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:17–32 (MSG)
– Reflection:
There was a time when we were completely disconnected from God’s plan, outsiders to His promises, unaware of His purpose, and blind to the hope found in Christ. But now, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have been brought into something much greater than ourselves. Paul reminds us that this new life in Christ requires a new way of living. We are no longer to walk in confusion or selfishness but to be renewed in our minds and actions. That means letting go of bitterness, dishonesty, and anger, and instead choosing truth, compassion, and forgiveness. God didn’t just save us to sit still; He saved us to reflect His character in how we live and how we love others.
– Where do we go from here?
Now that we understand what Jesus did for us, bringing us close to God when we were far away, it’s time to live as if we belong to Him. That means making better choices every day. We don’t have to be perfect, but we should strive to be honest, kind, and forgiving. If we mess up, we ask God for help and keep moving forward. God gave us a new way to live, and it starts with how we treat others and how we carry ourselves. Let’s choose to be people who show love, speak truth, and bring peace wherever we go.
– Our Prayer for Today
Father, thank You for loving us even when we didn’t know You. Thank You for sending Jesus so we could be close to You. Help us today to live in a way that shows we belong to You. Teach us to let go of bad habits and to treat others with kindness, honesty, and love. When we get angry or feel like giving up, remind us that You are with us and that we can choose to do what’s right. Help us forgive others, just like You forgave us. We want to live a new life that makes you proud of us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.