Paul begins chapter 4 with ......... THEREFORE .....IN LIGHT OF THOSE THINGS, Paul begs them to live lives worthy of being called by God. What does living a life worthy of the call look like? A person living that lifestyle would exhibit things such as;
being humble
being gentle
being patient with one another
making allowances for each other's faults out of love for one another
trying as best as possible to stay united in the Spirit
being bound together in peace with each other
He reminds them that there is one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father - the One who is over in and through all.
Paul adds that through Christ the church, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers all have been given special gifts. They are to use them to equip God's people to do the work of the Kingdom and build up the church which is the body of Christ. This is to be done until all are united in the knowledge and faith of God's Son so that we will be mature in the Lord.
When writing about Christ, who the gifts came through, he talks of He who ascended into the heights and who led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to people.He says that if He ascended, He must also have descended to the lowest parts of the world.
(The Bible reports that sometime between His crucifixion and His resurrection, Jesus went to hell. In fact, Ephesians 4:9 says that Jesus “first descended into the lower parts of the earth.” Why? The Bible says it was to set the captives free and to take the very keys to hell away from Satan. Otherwise, how could we ever claim to have victory over death? That’s what Jesus meant when He said in Revelation 1:18, “I am he who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”
If all that is true – and it is – then how could Jesus have been in two places at the same time? After all, He told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
You might find it a little surprising, but the Bible records that Paradise was in Hades. That’s right. Jesus spoke about it when He told the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. “So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” (Luke 16:22-23) The truth is that Scripture supports that Hades included both hell AND heaven, Abraham’s bosom, or what Jesus and many of the everyday Jews of his day referred to as Paradise). According to Jesus, in between the two was “A great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.” (Luke 16:26) by Mike Ruffin @ Devotions.com
Once we gain maturity, we will stand strong and no longer be tossed and blown about by every new teaching. Being strong such as this we will not be tricked into false beliefs and lies. Efforts to trick us will grow more clever so that the new untrue teachings will sound true. (We see such teachings even today in prosperity teachings and some big time evangelists.) Having this steadfastness, we will not be misled and we will be able to speak the truth and speak it in love. Living such lives, we will grow more and more into the likeness of Christ. Christ is the head of the body (the church, us believers) and He makes it all fit together perfectly. As each of us do our part to help the body grow, other parts grow and do the same. In this, the entire body grows in healthy ways and in love.
Paul continues his encouragement that we no longer live as those apart from God do. Those who are far off are confused and filled with darkness, they have closed minds, their hearts are hard toward God, they have no shame, they live for lustful pleasure and they practice a lifestyle of impurity. Their lives are not the life that God gives but a life of their choosing.
When people choose to follow Christ, life changes and the old nature, such as those listed above, is tossed off. When we move to a life in Christ, the Spirit helps us to stop living lives we used to live and strengthens us to live a life pleasing to God. This new person you have been given has been given to be righteous and holy.
Do not only stop doing those things listed above but also stop telling lies and rather be honest. Don't let anger control you. Stop stealing and do not use abusive or foul language. Do not bring sorrow to God's Spirit by living a rebellious life. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander, and evil behavior.
Rather, be kind and tender hearted, forgive one another, use your hands for good hard work and give generously to those in need. Live rightly for God has promised you salvation on the day of redemption. Remember you have been forgiven by God Himself, therefore forgive others who have wronged you.