Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Ephesians 4:25-29.

“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.  BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN;  do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.  He who steals must steal no longer;  but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.  Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”  Ephesians 4:25-29.

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We remember the immediate prior verse which is the basis for the “Therefore” start of today’s Scripture:  “and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”  Ephesians 4:24.

Through God’s provision for us of this “new self”, we do these good things in today’s Scripture.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;  the old things passed away;  behold, new things have come.”  2 Corinthians 5:17.

We also remember the work of the Holy Spirit with us.

With the Holy Spirit in us, we do not “carry out the desire of the flesh”, Galatians 5:16, but rather, the Spirit bears the fruit within us of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”, Galatians 5:22-23, such that we do these good things in today’s Scripture.

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;  for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:12-13.

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;  but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:56-58.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.”  Ephesians 3:20-21.