Ephesians 4:1-7 The Passion Translation (TPT)
From the beginning, it was the plan of God to form humanity in the likeness of his Son—“let us make man in our image”—and Jesus is the visible image and perfect likeness of God. Of course, sin darkened and stained our glorious likeness. Now, it is our divine destiny to be transformed; to return to the likeness of Christ.
The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Rom 12:2). That means Christ must be formed within us; sin has to go. Some stuff in our human flesh is not like Christ, so the Spirit works on us in order to cut it away. To allow the Spirit to do the necessary work within us, we must know and love God. And, the more we know and love God the more we will trust him to do what needs to be done in our lives. Growth takes time and obedience. Reach for your divine calling.
Ephesians 4:1-7 Our Divine Calling
1 As a prisoner of the Lord, I plead with you to walk holy, in a way that is suitable to your high rank (joint-heirs with Christ), given to you in your divine calling. 2 With tender humility and quiet patience, always demonstrate gentleness and generous [stretching] love toward one another, especially toward those who may try your patience. 3 Be faithful to guard the sweet harmony of the Holy Spirit among you in the bonds of peace, 4 being one body and one spirit, as you were all called into the same glorious hope of divine destiny.
5 For the Lord God is one, and so are we, for we share in one faith, one baptism, and one Father. 6 And He is the perfect Father who leads us all, works through us all, and lives in us all!
The Grace-Gifts of Christ
7 And he has generously given each one of us supernatural grace, according to the size of the gift of Christ.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the transforming work of your Spirit in my life. Continue the work that must be done in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.