The passage I read was Ephesians 5:3-14
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5:3-14&version=NIV
The verse that most stood out to me:
11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
My wife said verse 8 spoke to her most. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” She said it reminded her of coming to Christ as a child and being pure.
My son said verse 4 spoke to him most. “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or course joking which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”
As I reflect:
This passage seems to me to be all about conduct becoming of a Christian and what needs to be done if conduct is otherwise. How can one live a pure and holy life by the power of the Holy Spirit if they are walking in darkness apart from the Holy Spirit? We all sin, yes, but to walk in sin or live in sin is completely different than the redeemed children of God slipping up. I think it’s important to note that the redemptive work on the cross was fully enough to save me and that Paul in no way is telling the “saints” (us) that if we should slip then we will lose our salvation. That is not the idea here. However, it is clear that we are not to choose an impure atmosphere and impure actions and sin in general as the norm. Sin was once the natural life we lived, but now we have taken hold of our supernatural Savior and we no longer abide by the flesh. Our flesh is no longer the norm, but rather the exception. Now that’s all easily said, but doing???? It’s no wonder we need God to guide through every step of this relationship. And I am thankful to have brothers that God works and speaks through in my life to help keep me on track and accountable for my actions that growth again would not be the exception but rather the norm. Likewise, in this passage we see that as followers of Christ, if there is a fellow believer who is walking in the darkness of sin, we are to bring it into the light. There are however guidelines beyond this passage on how that must be done. The greatest of those guidelines is that it be done out of love and not condemnation.
In verse 6, it says, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.” And verse 7 goes on to say, “Therefore do not be partners with them.” So much could be said about just this portion of the passage alone. I have many times met or come across people who professed Christianity as their “label”. I have worked with many that thought simply saying they are a Christian or that they were raised Christian made them an actual Christian. But those were empty words. And you can tell by the fruit. They bore bad fruit. They were sexually immoral and impure, storing up all sorts of treasure on earth and longing for even more. They engaged and still do to this day, in obscene, foolish, coarse, immoral talking and joking that is out of place for any follower of the Most High. I therefore no longer am partners with them. Am I called to witness? Yes. Am I called to love them? Yes. Am I called to stoop to their level and join them in living a sinful life? No. I am not to go hang with my buddies who portray a life of the enemy of God. I am to love and witness to them and then leave their presence or allow them to leave mine. May a seed be planted or watered by the Holy Spirit but it is God who saves and not me and so I leave trusting that God is working. The passage goes on to talk about knowing what pleases the Lord. I hope and pray daily for those that call themselves Christians but don’t yet understand what a life pleasing to God is and thus live in complete disobedience to His word, will one day cease to slumber and awake in the light that is Christ. I hope and pray that their eyes will be opened and their hearts changed before the day of their eternal judgment. And I will remain an obedient, loving, and faithful witness and ambassador of my God that they may see what it is to live for Christ and perhaps it will draw them nearer to truth. Awake from slumber of future brother of mine…
My response to the Lord:
Lord, I know that I was once like those that I now witness to. I am eternally thankful that you sent your messenger to awaken me from my slumber in the dark. I am thankful that you rescued me from the fake person I had become at that point when you reached in and took out my old heart of stone and blackness and replaced it with a new heart. Now that your Holy Spirit abides in me and me in You, shine through me into that very same darkness that once consumed me so that others may also be drawn into your light. Lord, I pray your will above all. Change hearts, renew minds, open the deaf ears, and speak through your found children into the many that are still lost. In Jesus’ name.
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