Absolutely Amazing

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Ephesians 5:1-2, NASB)

Always amazed that I did nothing. I am saved by His grace, at His cost and His loss, for His purposes, and it cost me absolutely nothing.

Dear Lord, all I can say is “Thank You!” I pray You will make me faithful to your calling on my life.

Oppose, Propose, Protect

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. (Ephesians 5:11-12)

I am quite concerned that a lot of things in the last 10-15 years popular in our society’s reading and viewing habits are directly spoken against in by God in the Bible. The Bible speaks against witchcraft and magic yet books (Harry Potter), TV shows (Charmed, Wizards of Waverly Place), and movies (Twilight) have all been quite popular and I am sure tempting to our youth. However, biblically, we must oppose them, expose them, and protect our children and ourselves from “the unfruitful deeds of darkness.”

Remedies

Ephesians 4:30-31 - Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

It’s a five-item “short list” – bitterness, wrath, anger, slander, and malice. These are things that came to the inspired Paul but I’m certain not the only things that grieve the Spirit. Perhaps these are listed because they are the most common and least considered. Two biblical remedies that come to mind are humility and forgiveness. Can you add to my list?

Counting

Ephesians 4:29  Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Most of the time when I screw up in this area it has to do with that “need of the moment” thing. I’m usually not thinking rightly because of what’s going on. Remember hearing at a very young age to count to ten? Let’s use it more often.

Good Works

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10

“That God has prepared these good works beforehand implies that these good works are ours to discover, not invent.” – Eric Swanson and Rick Rusaw in The Externally Focused Quest

Too many people want God to do what they want Him to do. Do not be one of those.

Part of Knowing God

The ESV Study notes say, “Wisdom is especially needed in an evil age where the pathway of holiness is not always immediately clear until one reflects upon God’s Word and discerns his holy will.” (Emphasis in the original.)

Got a question? Seek God’s will.