Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:1-6 ESV)
Talk about hitting me hard right from the beginning and convicting me on a lot of things. The full wait of the command is thrown on right from the beginning as Paul says to be imitators of God as beloved children. Not do what you want but be nice to people and love those that are easy to love but rather imitate God. Which takes an understanding of God to know how we should imitate him, but he goes on to give more detail as well. Paul tells us to walk in love as Christ loved. Yet another huge challenge as Christ loved us so much as to take on all our sins, face brutal beating and mockery and gave his life for our sake all because he loved us and wanted to save us from the fate that we deserved. In doing this, he showed us a glimpse of the Fathers love for us. Then he goes on to convict us about specific actions that have no place in those who are deserving of his kingdom. It was especially tough when he references foolish talk and crude joking specifically because those are things that I often find myself falling victim to. I often need to make sure that the things which I say build people up rather than beat them down and that my humor isn't crude or inappropriately directed. And that I strive to imitate God and be filled up with his love so that I may pour out his love to all people especially those in most need of it.
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
ReplyDelete“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
(Ephesians 5:8-14 ESV)
This passage speaks to me because it urges us to confess. Over the past year, God has been convicting me that I should confess my addiction to pornography and masturbation to my family. My parents had no idea. This past Sunday, I finally talked to my dad about it. Since I confessed, it has been amazing how much love and support he has shown me. The sin which once had a hold on me is being replaced by the love that my father is showing for me.
I think that confession is the first step to salvation. If we do not confess, we continue to give sin power over us, and let it have a foothold in our hearts. When we bring it out in the open, the fear and shame that sin engenders can no longer prevent us from seeking help and seeking change.
God wants us to confess and walk in the light. Let's live transparent lives that hide nothing. Let us not be whitewashed tombs. Let us not sweep the dirt under the rug for another day. Let us clean up the inside and walk in light for all to see.
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." Ephesians 5:8-10
ReplyDeleteNot only were we walking in darkness before, but we were darkness before. God wants us to be light. That doesn't mean just acting every now and then in a way that glorifies God. That would be living in the darkness and talking a stroll in the light from time to time. He wants us to physically be light. He wants us to be good, to be righteous, and to be truthful.
But think of this. (hopefully I am not stretching this metaphor too much). Does anyone look directly at light? When you turn on a light, do you stare at the light fixture until you turn it off? No you turn it on such that you can see the world better. Likewise, you should not consider yourself the object of attention. We are not light so that others can know us better. We aren't salt so that we can make ourselves taste better. No, we are light so that we can illumine the paths of others. Don't draw attention to yourself. Instead draw attention to God.
"Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part n the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them" Ephesians 5: 10-11
ReplyDeleteThis verse encapsulates the entire first part of this chapter. I am really convicted by this passage. I know what I am supposed to do in life, but I don't always follow what I am supposed to do. We are called to be holy and to give our lives over to God, but how many of us actually do that on a day to day basis?
"Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord." Ephesians 5 :22
This single verse makes women everywhere uncomfortable because they read it out of context. Men read it out of context as well. This is not some section of the bible where Paul is a misogynist and wants men to dominate their wives. Husbands are called to love, serve, and sacrifice for their wives as Jesus loves the Church. How beautiful is that? We as men are called to lay our lives down for our wives. If we can do that, then all of the sudden we can realize that just as we as a Church are subordinate to Jesus Christ, so too can a woman be subordinate to her loving and sacrificial husband.
"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret." Ephe 5:11-12
ReplyDelete"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Ephe 5:15-16
As Bryan pointed out, often times we know what we're supposed to do, we know what's right, yet we don't do it. Somehow we can convince ourselves that the action we are about to take is in someway aligned with what pleases God, or at the very least 'it's not so bad' or 'it doesn't hurt anyone'. But the truth is that it is bad, and deep down we know it, but choose to ignore it. God tells us to have nothing to do with these fruits of darkness, no matter how harmless they may seem. It is simply unwise and careless to dwell in these things day after day after day, because soon enough it'll influence how you think, your actions, and increase your threshold for what ou perceive as wrong or bad. I know I can look back a few years and say that back then I would have never done this or that, but the days are evil if God is not present at all times to guide your path.
"Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ"
ReplyDeleteEphesians 5:17-21
This really stood out to me, especially the part where it talks about addressing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. I know I don't do this often as much as I want to. Giving thanks to God should not be the last priority or the last thing you do in the day. It shows that everything, and I mean everything, is according to God's will and plan. We need to be genuinely thankful of what God has provided us. I feel like I always complain and expect something from God when, in actuality, there is everything I need in my life. It also tells us how we should encourage and worship our God together as a community, showing what true fellowship under God looks like: joyful, humble, and reverence.
For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
ReplyDeleteEphesians 5:23
At first glance, this verse appears to give every man what he's always wanted: a sign from God that he has authority over his wife and household in the same manner in which Christ has authority over the Christian body. However, the true meaning of this passage goes much deeper than simple authority. I interpret it as a call for men to step up and lead like Christ. As Jesus loves us unconditionally, we are to love our households; as Jesus forgives every mistake we make, we too should be merciful with our families; as Jesus laid down His life so that we might live forever, we should be willing to give up our comforts and desires for those of our wives and children. This leadership role with which God blesses us comes with much more responsibility than power. Only by living through Christ and seeking him daily can we hope to one day lead our families like He leads His.
Really late response to this one because I couldn't post it last Friday. My BRP brings us to Christ's commencement to the apostles in Luke 24: 46-47
ReplyDelete["Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem]
The Risen Lord says this 40 days after the Resurrection and His Ascension. I read this Saturday of the discipleship retreat and it was a great mindset to be in. Christ, suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried then rose again. He took on the sin of every person in history born and through Him now allows us to enter into eternal salvation with the Father, something impossible since the Fall. This of course is a central Christian dogma all Christians agree on.
Now that this is done, Jesus desires that the good news be spread to all nations. He does not say only to the other Jews, or to the people of Asia minor but to ALL nations. Wherever God's message is not present Christ charges us the task of being His messengers and His stewards. However that does not have to be in a far off country miles from home. This proclamation can be made to and shared with our classmates, our co-workers, and even our family members. I know this is something I've struggled with and hope to improve.
With God working inwardly, we can show outwardly His love so that all can share in the glory of the Kingdom.