Ephesians 4:2
“with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love”.
The words in 4:1 say to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. This verse tells us how we are to walk, with all humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another in love. The Old Testament also taught this. Micah 6:8 says, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." The New Testament emphasized this more.
This is God's way. Much different from the world. The world doesn't show mercy. It's about promoting one's self. Others get in the way. Jesus says in Luke 6:30, "Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back." He wants us to be a blessing to others. Self and the world breeds fear that if we give, we won't have enough for ourselves. Jesus puts these fears to rest in Matthew 6:25,26, "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they?"
We can give without fear of lack. God does much more than meet the needs of the generous. Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” This is amazing. David describes to not want in Psalm 23. He says his cup overflows. It certainly does. I am an average person and I agree with him. My life is so full. There is no doubt God is the reason.
Jesus also says in Matthew 16:24, 'Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me"'. This sounds difficult. As we follow Him, we learn differently. When we obey Him He fills us with joy. If we are to walk in all humility, gentleness patience and love, we will deny ourselves. When we are patient, we are waiting for someone, which means we are putting our agenda on hold. We know He will meet our needs as we put them on hold, but we learn to love. I John 4:19 says, "We love for He first loved us." We are different. We love others more as we walk with Him.
We can pause and reflect upon those that were patient with us. What a wonderful memory. We can feel the love they've given us. God was the mover behind all of that. Lord, help us to be that to others. To be patient with them.
To be this type of person to others brings much healing. We become His agents of healing to others. God knows what people need much more than we do. He wants to use us that way.
Thank You God for the mercy and healing You've given us. Help us to be that to others. Nudge us and fill us with that love to give.