Into the
Word Wednesday is a link up and blog hop where fellow Christian bloggers
share something they have learned this week while Into the Word. If
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This week, I have studied the first 20 versus of Ephesians 5. And I'll admit.... It's a really good chunk!! Here is what I am pulling from it:
WARNING!
WARNING!
WARNING!
Not the-end-of-the-world-is-coming type warnings,
but the be-careful-it's-too-easy-to-fall type of warnings.
Starting at the beginning, the first verse is a soooo foundational. " Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children" reminds me that I am to follow God's lead. Further, it shows me that my relationship with God parallels one of a father/daughter relationship. Love that verse.
Verse 3 warns what is improper for God's holy people: a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. Woah! Hello! How's that for being blunt!
Verse 4 warns of what is out of place: obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking. This one got me. I am guilty of the obscene and foolish talk. Yep. This girl. I joke around constantly, especially at work. I make crude jokes, have running jokes, even the cheesy "that's what she said" jokes. For me, this verse was convicting.
Verse 5 warns what type of person will receive no inheritance in the kingdom of God: immoral, impure, greedy or idolater. Again, blunt and just lays it out there! Verse 6 warns against disobedience stemming from believing lies or empty chatter, and then verse 7 warns you to stay away from those who confuse you with those lies or sway you with meaningless words.
Skipping down to 15, there is a warning that literally says: "Be very careful" to live wise instead of foolish.
Then, these two:
"making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is."
Yesterday's blog post about "Find out what pleases God" was pulled from the same chunk. At this point, I am seeing two verses that encourage me to find out what pleases God and understand His will.
What I'm gathering with all these warnings and at the same time the encouragement to draw near to God, obviously they go hand in hand. To stand firm without compromise, I am going to need to know what God wants from me. I am going to need to know what pleases God.
"God, help me to keep my mouth shut. Let all my words be pleasing to you." Yeah, I'll be praying this many times today, especially at work. Now that I know these warnings, it is up to me to live up to them.
Be careful.
Be cautious.
Be holy.
Be pure.
Be generous.
Be encouraging.
Be wise.
Be led.
What about you? Any of these warnings jump out at you like they did me?
We would
LOVE it
if you linked up with a post about what God is showing you in the Word, or in
your life. Please also stop by and see what God has been teaching each co-hosts
this week:
Kelly
at The Houtz House Party
Becky at
Tales For Ashes
Kelly at
Exceptionalistic
Into the Word Wednesday Blog Hop
Rules:
1. Write a post about what God is
teaching you this week.
2. Follow the host and hostess
via GFC.
3. Grab a button to put on your
blog - the more the merrier!
4. Check out (and comment) other
people's blogs and be blessed by all the sisters and brothers around the
world!
Hint: slightest indication or suggestion. For me, the biggest Warning was Ephesians 5:3. "There must not be even a hint..."
ReplyDeleteLove this post. y'all are so fabulous!
ReplyDeletexoxo
jessa
Good blog! At the risk of confusing people, let me give a warning from the other extreme: becoming legalistic. Taken by itself (verse 5 being a good example), one can define 'inheriting the Kingdom' by avoiding evil behavior. You would think that Christians wouldn't fall into this trap. Fortunately they do so that I can continue to have job security... hehe....
ReplyDeleteAny Scripture speaking to behavior affecting our salvation must be read in the context of Christ. We believe we inherit the Kingdom because Jesus died for us, not because we are good people. If we aren't careful, reading verses like Ephesians 5 can confuse us.
So I always remember this: 'Faith without works is dead'. We behave good because we are saved. We don't get saved by behaving good. If our behavior is evil, it is a reflection of a weak or non-existent Faith. If we behave good, it is a result of a strong Faith.
If we do not hold on to the above, we risk putting too much emphasis on behavior and not on Faith. The result is that we rely on our works to be saved and not on the grace of Christ. This can turn churches into Pharisees and one reason I believe congregations die.
I could write another 3 volumes on this, but will desist. But closely linked to this issue is a question that would take us another step forward that I invite Laura and Falen to consider for a future blog: Is it the Faith IN Christ that saves us or is it the Faith OF Christ that saves us. You may want to do some in-depth Scripture study on Paul's writing before answering this. The answer is not so easy. :)
Actually Joe, in our study last night we stopped on verse 5 and had that discussion....Honest! Paul is telling us how God wants us to live, but knowing full well that we are unable to do so because we are dead to sin, he sacrificed his Son for us. This doesn't give us an excuse to sin. We are to desire and strive to live as holy examples. And yes...this topic could go on and on and on....
DeleteWell, how do I comment now after Joe? :-)
ReplyDelete"Be wise" speaks to me right now...thanks for a great post!