Ephesians 4:1-3 Lifestyles

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

When you become a Christian, your lifestyle needs to change to reflect the changes that God is making in you.

For some, that means a radical change from such things as drugs, drunkenness and sexual promiscuity. For others, changes may seem more subtle on the surface.

When I was first saved, I was a teenager still living in my parents' home. I was a "good kid" growing up. I didn't go through the teen rebellion phase that so many do. I didn't do drugs, I was respectful to my parents, and I got good grades in school.

Nevertheless, my parents noticed a change in me after I accepted Jesus as my Lord. An avid reader, I always had a book in my hands, but now that book was the Bible. Instead of staying home on Sunday, I got out and went to church. As I got to know people in the church, my circle of friends changed.

It didn't take long for my parents to ask me about the changes in my behavior and general attitude and outlook on life. I'm also thrilled to say that within a year of my salvation, both of my parents were also saved.

We are called to live a lifestyle that is different from the world. The world admires power and influence. The most admired people in the world are celebrities, politicians (at least those of our own particular political leanings), and billionaire CEO's. These people also tend to be the most arrogant, clawing their way to the top, and stepping on those below them.

But we are called to be humble and gentle. We are told, "to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you," [1 Thessalonians 4:11 NASB]. Yes, God give some a gift for earning wealth so that they can do good. But that is not a universal constant. Don't mistake your ambition for God's calling. Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” [Mark 10:25 NASB].

We are called to be patient and tolerant for one another. These days the word "tolerant" has taken on political and social overtones. We are not talking about the tolerance that the world promotes. They demand tolerance for themselves, and spew hatred for anyone who disagrees with them.

Christians are called to tolerate sinners and their lifestyles. After listing many ways in which the world has devolved into sin, we are told in Romans 2 that we are not to judge them, "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" [Romans 2:4 NASB]

We are also told, "I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?" [1 Corinthians 5:9-12 NASB]

The people of the world do the works of their father the devil, and they are not ours to judge. God is tolerant and patient with them, drawing them to repentance. If they refuse God, then He alone will judge them.

Within the church, we are not to tolerate a willful, sinful lifestyle. But we do need to tolerate one another's weaknesses and personalities and differences. Unity in the church doesn't mean everybody is the same. It does involve bearing with one another. Romans 12:8 says, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."