31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Ephesians 4:31-5:9
Dear God, this passage deserves more time than I have to give it this morning. This is one of the Catholic Church’s readings this morning, along with Psalm 1 and Jesus healing a woman on the Sabbath in Luke 13. All of these passages talk about genuine character, love, and righteousness. No guile. No secret evil agendas or hidden sins. No hate. Just being a good person and doing the right thing from the inside out.
That can be hard to do. We all need accountability. We all are tempted to cut corners. I know I am. I know I need a place to go to work, and that I would do poorly without it. I have a finance committee meeting this morning for the nonprofit where I work. Without this monthly meeting or any meeting at all I would get lazy and just cruise along without looking at the budgets. In fact, I know of a nonprofit where they don’t even do a budget, but the board is not healthy and they are not an effective nonprofit. Not as effective as they could be anyway. Lack of accountability is a big reason why.
One of the things I need to watch myself on is being genuine in my accountability. I have a number of people to whom I am accountable. I need to make sure they are seeing the authentic me, and the person I am in private is the person I show others in public. Not for their sake but for mine and for the sakes of those close to me like my wife. If I am not a genuine person everywhere then I am setting her up for a miserable life of secrets and shame here. Maybe the best gift I can give her is the authenticity of being the man people think I am and that you call me to be.
Father, I can only do this because of your redemption, forgiveness, and love. And now, help me go out into this day, offering that love and forgiveness to everyone I see. Let your love flow into and out of me. Let me simply be your conduit into the world. I love you. I thank you.
I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,
Amen
