Members of One Body
April 2, 2013
Paul reminds the Christians in Ephesus that they are no longer who they were. They are new creatures, renewed in Christ!
They used to find it acceptable to be selfish and greedy, but now they are different. They used to find it acceptable to tell lies, but now they are different. They used to think of only themselves, but now they are members of one another.
When we become believers in Christ, he makes us into new people, and Paul calls us all to live into our new identity. We are different, and that should show in the way we live!
One of the differences is speaking the truth. We no longer deceive; we no longer put “spin” on the truth; we no longer blur the edges to our advantage at the expense of our neighbor. We speak the truth. We ask for the truth. Truthfulness is a marker of what it looks like to be one of Christ’s renewed people.
And in Christ’s world, treating our neighbor truthfully only makes sense, since we are members of one another. Lying, stealing, and cheating a neighbor is not only no longer our nature; it damages the body of which we are a part. We belong to each other. We are not our own, but belong to Christ. May we live each day deeper into that reality!
About the author — Rev. Dr. Steven Koster
Steven Koster is a writer, speaker, and producer with Family Fire. Formerly the Director of ReFrame Media, Family Fire's parent organization, Steven currently serves at Grace Church and consults on ministry through The Joshua Lab. He also leads a hospitality ministry at The Parsonage Inn and enjoys family tree research as time allows. Steven and his wife Deb enjoy leading marriage retreats and family seminars to encourage people in their most intimate relationships. The Kosters are the parents of three awesome young adults and reside in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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