Ephesians 4:22-32 "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after GOD is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members of one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the Devil.
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as GOD for CHRIST's sake hath forgiven you."
1. Sinners must labor to partake of eternal life. Eternal life is not earned by man's efforts or by the performance of good works, but each person must labor to ensure that one's spiritual, eternal needs are met only by way of GOD's free gift (See picture above John 6:27).
2. Believers should always labor and make it their ambition to please GOD: "Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted (well-pleasing to) of HIM" (2nd.Corinthians 5:9 pictured above).
3. A wonderful balance exists between my laboring and GOD's mighty working in me: "Whereunto I also labor, striving according to HIS working, which worketh in me mightily" (Colossians 1:29 pictured above).
4. Wholesome, diligent labor provides for our own needs and also for the needs of others: "Let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth" (v.28 pictured at the top of the post)
5. GOD knows our labor and will reward us accordingly: "I know thy works, and thy labor"; "every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor" (Revelation 2:2; 1st.Corinthians 3:8 both pictured above).
6. The labor that pleases GOD is motivated by a love for GOD and for others: "Remembering without ceasing your. . .labor of love"; "for GOD is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward HIS name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister" (1st.Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 6:10 both pictured above).
7. Our labor is not in vain: "Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the LORD" (1st.Corinthians 15:58 pictured above). GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
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