August 10, 2022

Ephesians 5:1-14 (HCSB)
5 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. 2 And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. 3 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. 5 For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God. Light versus Darkness 6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. 7 Therefore, do not become their partners. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light — 9 for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth — 10 discerning what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. 13 Everything exposed by the light is made clear, 14 for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you.

Don Steele
Christians are being bombarded with worldly things every day. Paul is telling us not to fall into that lifestyle. Don’t be fooled by excuses that make it seem alright. In my humble opinion I think one of the worst things happening with Christians on a whole today is our silence. Paul goes on to say it is not enough to stay away from it or be silent. In verse 11 he says we need to expose the sin for what it is. We do this by carefully determining what pleases God. Be the light in in our world and let Christ shine through you.

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