Daily Reading for January 21 2010 from Ephesians 5:1-14

Day 11

Ephesians 5:1-4 NIV
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person–such a man is an idolater–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)10 and find out what pleases the Lord.11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

The first 2 verses of Chapter 5 say it all:

Ephesians 5:1-2
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God

Be imitators of God and live a life of love just, just as Christ loves us!
There are many things that follow these words but the point is to be Godly, to be like Christ. The writer goes on to say what not to do but strategically places proper conduct in the passage. In verse 5 after a list of things we should not do we are told to speak words of Thanksgiving. Next we are told in verse 8 to live as children of light. The previous verses tell us not to be deceived or to act out of disobedience but rather we should obey God. Verse 9 in parenthesis tells us how to check to see if we are walking in the light  "the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth". So if we are walking in the light of the Love of Christ we should be producing fruit. The passage continues with find out what pleases God! How do we know what pleases God? We know that what the Spirit says we are to do and since the Spirit of God lives within us we can listen to His still small voice. When He convicts we respond in repentance, when He whispers we can quiet ourselves and obey His commands. We can also know what pleases God by reading the Word for it's infallible truth. A truth that sets us free. The passage continues by saying that as we walk in the light darkness is exposed.

Today's scripture reference ends with an exhortation to awaken from our sleep. There are many such passages in the scripture, most of which are speaking to the church to awaken and be strong. I want to take this opportunity to encourage you to pray for an awakening. We live in a nation that needs to be awakened to its' origins, we were founded on Christian principles and it is time that we return to God. As you are praying next pray for your church. Every church needs an awakening from time to time. We need to be awakened to the power of God. We need to once again be out demonstrating God's Word by living it. Living a life of love, believing and demonstrating every Word of the Bible. Healing the sick, raising the dead, preaching the gospel until many come to know Him as their Savior. Finally, pray for a personal awakening. The awakening that is so need in our world, nation, and churches will start with a personal revival. The revival starts with us the individual and when one individual begins to trust God and seek His face others always follow before long a united, passionate church will rise up and begin to believe and declare the totality of the Word of Truth. Pray with me for an awakening.

Blessings,

Pastor Larry