Contrast between light and darkness!
This week’s devotions are based on Week 8 of the Series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are (CLICK HERE)
From day one of creation the “And God said, ‘Let there be light’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3)
contrast between light and darkness has existed. Ironically, the reality of darkness was part of a perfect world which God created. God knew that for the life he would create, a pattern of darkness and light would be important and necessary for living beings to thrive. Darkness was a time of rest and light would be a time of activity and life.
But while the importance of darkness hasn’t changed as far as rhythms of life, the cover of darkness has taken on a sinister role when sin entered the world. From that point on, the Scripture often uses the contrast between dark and light as a picture for that which is of sin and Satan (darkness) and that which is of God (light).
As we continue our journey through the book of Ephesians, this week’s focus invites us to recognize the difference between a life lived under the influence of darkness and a life lived under the influence of Light. As Paul encourages us to “live as children of light” he provides many examples of the contrast. For our devotion this morning, I invite you to make your own comparison list between activities and mindsets that are of darkness and those that are of light based on Ephesians 4:17-5:20.
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
5:1 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 light 9 (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.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Apply: Make a chart on a piece of paper. Label one column: “Living as a child of darkness” and the other column “Living as a child of light” Identify behaviors and mindsets that fit into these categories. Notice the clear and stark difference between the two. Pray for God’s Spirit to help you live more and more as a child of light.
Prayer: Lord in all things and every day help me to live as a child of your light! AMEN.
How old are you anyway?
This week’s devotions are based on Week 7 of the Series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are (CLICK HERE)
As we grow up in life, we periodically get asked this question. Often it is a question of curiosity that is limited to simply knowing how long you have been alive on this planet. Other times, the question can be a bit loaded. It might be asked like this, “How old are you anyway?”
You see with age comes an assumed level of maturity. Different ages have different allowances for behavior. If you are two years old and you see a toy in the store that you think you have to have you may have a total meltdown right there with a screaming fit. People will look and empathize with the mom or dad and think to themselves, “Tough to have a two-year-old!” However, if a 32-year-old individual throws a similar fit, people will ask “How old are you anyway?” Why? Because we have a different expectation of behavior from a 32-year-old than from a 2-year-old.
Why is that?
We expect children to mature into adults. We expect that some of the behaviors, thoughts, and patterns of speech will change as one has more experience in this world and with people in general. It doesn’t always happen naturally. The two-year-old has parents who love him and seek to help him understand how to manage their emotions, control their temper, and act in a more pleasant way.
Growing up means ideally maturing from infancy to adulthood.
What about spiritually?
How old are you anyway?
Perhaps it’s hard to measure “maturity” on a scale or expectations for Christians that have been a Christian for one year versus 70 years. However, the expectation of maturity is certainly one the Lord desires and has provided people to help us. Paul puts it this way:
Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
What does maturity look like? Perhaps we could identify these five things:
- We are becoming more and more Christlike in our thoughts, words and actions.
- Our faith is deeply rooted in Scripture and expresses itself in unity of others doing the same.
- Our knowledge of the Son of God and his Word of truth is increasing. We know and apply more of the Scriptures in our lives.
- We are serving with our gifts, accepting the training and guidance of Christian leaders.
- We are able to discern false teaching and the lies and deceits of Satan.
As Paul said, “then we will no longer be infants.”
Spiritual maturity only comes when God’s Spirit through his Word and those leaders he’s given to us work on our hearts, minds and actions. In fact, maturity comes much quicker and more fully when you have others around you to help and guide you. Just like a child matures in a more full and healthy way with parents who help them, so we too need a Christian community to help us along this path from infancy to maturity.
So grow up…with God’s help, the Spirit’s guidance and the support of your Christian family.
Apply: Which of the five areas of maturity are you “youngest” in? How might you be intentional about maturing in these areas?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us a life that is rooted in you. Help us to continue to grow up in our faith, maturing to be the people you have called us to be. AMEN.
Give it every effort!
This week’s devotions are based on Week 7 of the Series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are (CLICK HERE)
Today in our community students head back to school. Perhaps the smiling first day of school pictures cover the bit of sadness that the summer is over or exhibit the joy of heading back to the classroom. As parents, our desire for our girls is that they give their best effort in everything they do. We are convinced that when they give every homework assignment, quiz or test their best effort, the outcome will be positive. If they give up or approach their school work with a half-hearted effort, the result is anything but the best.
Have you ever thought about giving your best effort to your church family? Maybe we think about our volunteer effort or financial contributions…but have you thought about the importance of giving every effort to keeping the “unity of the Spirit”?
Paul writes, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:3-6).
Unity in our culture today is often defined as achieved if we can accept everyone and everything no matter what they believe or how they behave. Unity without a standard of unity is really not unity at all…it’s just a superficial peace while overlooking real underlying conflict and differences.
This is not the unity that God desires. Rather, as Paul writes, God sets the standard of unity. His desire is that every person is unified by being part of the “one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.”
This leaves no room for multiple gods, variations of beliefs or different paths to God. True unity is when the Spirit leads two or more individuals to express trust in the God, faith, and hope which the Bible teaches. Anything less leaves unity lacking and peace elusive.
Living a life worthy of the calling we have received means making every effort to build, maintain and preserve the unity which only God gives. It’s no wonder that we need humility and patience with one another. For our pride and ego can often get in the way and disturb the peace of God’s people and create division. Our focus rather is building our faith and the faith of others to bring us all closer to God and closer to each other.
But it’s work…at times hard work.
But God desires we always give it our best effort.
The effort starts with ourselves. The closer we grow in our relationship to the Lord and our understanding and love for his Word strengthens our unity with the Lord himself. The more we keep our focus on the Lord and help others in our Christian family to do the same, the stronger the unity we have. And where there is true unity, their is a strong bond of peace. Why? Because it is built on something solid, not superficiality.
So whether its back to school, back to work, or simply a normal day…make every effort to maintain and build the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace…in every relationship you encounter.
Apply: Think of your marriage, family relationships, or church family. What can you do this week to encourage and strengthen the unity God desires with him and each other?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for connecting me to you by the power of your Spirit through your Word. Use me as a catalyst to always promote and protect the unity of the Spirit and build the bond of peace. AMEN.
Humility, patience & love…
This week’s devotions are based on Week 7 of the Series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are (CLICK HERE)
When Jesus went back into heaven after his ministry on this earth, he left his Church with this one key directive:
Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Followers of Jesus don’t naturally know what it looks like to follow Jesus. Not only are we to connect people to Jesus, we are to teach them to obey, to follow, to put into practice everything Jesus has commanded.
So what does “living a life worthy of the calling we have received” look like?
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)
As with so many aspects of the Christian life, the Apostle Paul starts with heart issues. Since the heart is not only the seat of our emotions, but also the driver of our actions, if our heart is not centered and grounded well in the love of Christ and living life for Christ, we will not do well with living in a way that is worthy of the calling Christ has given to us.
- Be humble. Be completely humble.
The Christian life does not have room for self-centered, ego-focused living. Humility is the ability to put self second and think of others first…even when you don’t want to or have to. Humility doesn’t mean one is a push over, in fact one may have all the status and power to demand all attention…just like Jesus. But humility chooses to not seek acclaim or attention, but rather spend energy and effort on service of others. Paul put it this way: Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
2. Be patient.
Patience is the ability to slow down and walk with someone in a moment or season of life when you don’t feel you have the time or the reason to do so. Patience is the expression of love that does not react in dramatic fashion or lash out in anger, but is willing to take time to listen and understand. Patience is one with a teacher’s heart that is willing to communicate a lesson or truth repeatedly until it is understood. Patience is the ability to apply the forgiveness God has shown to someone who has wronged you multiple times. 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
3. Bear with one another in love.
We all have or have had someone in our life that is an “extra love opportunity.” As you know people around you don’t always think, act, or react the same way you do. People have different emotions and approach life in different ways. This can be annoying, frustrating, or downright maddening. However, when we bear with another person in love, we are willing to walk with them through a season that is difficult or just loving them inspite of the quirks or things that might annoy us. We realize they are a person loved by God and worthy of our love…so even when it’s difficult we show love to them.
This is just the opening three…but remember that all of these are done under the shadow of Christ’s love for you. When I struggle with any of these, I try to remember this. Jesus was humble, patient and bore with me first…and because he did that for me first, I can do it for others.
Apply: Which of these three is most difficult for you? Allow the Spirit of God to help you see where your opportunities for growing are. Maybe today he will give you an opportunity to live one of these truths out!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your humility, patience and love. Help me to exhibit these qualities to others even as you have to me. AMEN.
Christian living without Christ’s love doesn’t work…
This week’s devotions are based on Week 7 of the Series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are (CLICK HERE)
Christianity can often become a set of rules.
This past weekend it was nice to attend a Bible class and worship that I didn’t have to prepare for or lead. Not that I don’t enjoy leading God’s people in worship or digging deeper into the truths of Scripture, but it’s nice to be on the other end of that as well. In the discussion we were talking about some of Jesus’ teachings from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel (Chapters 5-7). A face value, many of the teachings of Jesus’ sermon deal with the life of the Christian. As we will see…we need that. However, an observation that I had (not the first time) is that often the greatest curiosity of the Christian is how to do Christianity right. Again, not necessarily a bad thing, but it often feels like, “If I just had the right rule for every situation in life, I would be good.” Yet the Bible is lacking in giving us every situation that could occur in life and every answer for every situation…as far as specifics.
This coupled with a devotion that my wife read yesterday morning as we were driving home from our vacation made me realize once again the importance, wisdom, and solidly Gospel teaching that the Apostle Paul has been giving us in his letter to the Ephesians. The Christian life is nothing but legalism without the impact of the Gospel in our hearts. If our lives as Christians is motivated by anything other than the amazing Gospel message, it will be a resounding gong and clanging cymbal (See 1 Corinthians 13).
So, the Apostle Paul spent the first half (chapters 1-3) of Ephesians to clearly lay out for us the tremendous and gracious love of God that chose us, empowered us, made us alive, called us and made us part of his family. These realities form our identity.
Who we are in Christ leads us to live our lives for Christ. We can never detach the love of Christ for us from our life of living for Christ. Paul puts it this way:
Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Simply put, live the life God has called you to live. He chose you, called you and saved you for a purpose…to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
For the rest of the letter, Paul outlines what it looks like as the love of Christ works in us and empowers us to live for Christ.
What a gift that God gives…not only does he calls us to faith, but he clearly guides us to live that faith…not as simply a set of rules, but as direction to what a life looks like that reflects the love of Christ.
The rest of this week we will look at the guidance the Spirit gives through Paul. As we do, always remember this:
2 Corinthians 5:14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Apply: Do you often desire the “Christian rule book for life” without taking time to reflect on and fill yourself with the love Christ has for you? You can’t pour out what is not being poured in!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for making me your child. As I live for you, let me always remember that to live a life worthy of the calling you have given to me, I must always be filled with the love you have shown to me! AMEN.