Scripture:
Ephesians 5:1-21 NKJV
[1] Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. [2] And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. [3] But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; [4] neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. [5] For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. [6] Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. [7] Therefore do not be partakers with them. [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 Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), [10] finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. [11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. [12] For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. [13] But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. [14] Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” [15] See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, [16] redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. [18] And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, [19] speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, [20] giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, [21] submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Observation:
I can’t say it enough, but I love the word of GOD. Everything that we will ever go through every problem we will ever face, our heavenly Father saw beforehand and gave us the answers we need. HE told us to search, and we will find. For the last few years that’s exactly what I have been doing. Looking in GOD’S word to navigate the situations and issues that come up in my life. As I was praying and reading this morning, the Holy Spirit brought me to the letter to the Ephesians. A powerful letter written by one of my favorite authors in the Bible. A man who wrote half of the New Testament, a man who understood the spiritual war that goes on and how best to combat the enemy as he influences those around us, and if we are totally honest he can even influence us at times as well. At the beginning of this letter, Paul makes sure that the church in Ephesus understands that they are given everything that they need for what they are going to face. In verses 3 through 6 of chapter one. ” blessed be the GOD and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as HE has chosen us in HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before HIM in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Christ to HIMSELF, according to the good pleasure of HIS will, to the praise of the glory of HIS grace, by which HE made us accepted in the Beloved.” Now that in itself is a head full of information and even though I would love to sit and go over the entire letter the tge church in Ephesus, time restraints won’t let me do that right now. So in a sense what is being said is that GOD has given us all the spiritual armor needed for the battles we will face. What Paul is doing is building his case for what he is going to present at the end of the letter, which if you have been reading the Bible for any length of time you know to be the armor of GOD. I know the first few scriptures that were presented this morning seem to be impossible. As Paul begins to bring his letter to a close he starts to shape the church. He knows that spiritual warfare is a real thing, and the importance of knowing that GOD has already equipped us for it is even more important. Remembering back to some words that were spoken by our beloved SAVIOR, we know that walking in love is the true weapon against evil. Therefore Paul says, “Be imitators of GOD as HIS dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and gave “HIMSELF” for us, and offering and sacrifice to GOD.” From the beginning of the letter Paul starts laying this ground work. He says we have been set apart from the foundation of the world. That means before time began GOD knew your name. HE knew who you would be and HE called you out of the grave before you ever placed yourself there. HE equipped you for every battle you would ever face and the weapon HE gave you was love. The list that follows his statement to imitate GOD are all things that are motivated by the flesh. “Fornication, covetousness, and uncleanness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving thanks. I could go on to mention some things that are pretty controversial right here in the word of GOD. But I will leave you to read the verses that the Holy Spirit felt necessary to bring light to. What we know is the word of GOD doesn’t lie and verses 5 through 7 of Ephesians chapter 5 are in the word of GOD, so its not a lie and its not my opinion. It’s what GOD has said through Paul. Please read them, and reread them, and reread them so that we can get a better understanding of all this. Building his case even further Paul starts to not only tell us that walking in love is one of our weapons, but he begins to explain how confession takes the power away from the enemy. Looking all the way back to the beginning of the book we see the tools of the enemy. Guilt, shame, and fear. Paul carefully disarms every tactic that the enemy has. Making his case for what he is going to present in the very next chapter. He knows that Adam’s first instinct was to hide his sin. That has not changed throughout the span of time man has done his best to cover his sin. Aiken did the very same thing when the Israelites faced AI and it brought bad results. GOD will expose them. Disarming the enemy is one of the keys to this spiritual war. If we confess our sins GOD is faithful and just to forgive us for where we have fallen short. “Awake you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” Paul knows the power that the enemy has. Its the dark, its found in secrets, and lies, walking in the light takes all of his power away. That’s why Paul explains the power of exposing truth. It takes away “ALL” his fiery darts. Now moving forward to one of the cornerstones of the battle, “Wisdom” and the ability to walking in it. I was curious what the word circumspectly meant so I looked it up. Its the essence of wisdom. It means to act with caution, prudence, and in a wary manner, carefully considering “all” circumstances, and potential risks before acting or speaking. Its a watchful approach that avoids danger or potentially negative consequences. This statement by Paul us a warning on how we act or react to the spiritual warfare. He is saying stop and think before you speak. Consider and be wise about your approach, know what GOD’S will is, do not be deceived, investing, don’t just react. Continuing his thoughts and beginning to bring his point to a close he talks about edification and correction being led by the Spirit through Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Building others up allowing the word of GOD to do what only it can do. Having an attitude of submissive gratitude to one another. Knowing who labors among you.
Application:
What I didn’t realize when I started my walk with Christ is that love is the only way to combat evil. It’s a lot, the enemy is very crafty. He whispers in one ear one thing, then whispers in another ear something different, and before you know it, a whole congregation is in an uproar over something that could have been avoided had they spoken to the have-nots. Being patient and carefully considering our actions is something that I can tell you I struggle with. Past wounds tend to make us quick to react, and that’s just what the enemy likes. His desire is division, and honestly, he has done a pretty good job at creating it in the church as a whole. We have one denomination that doesn’t believe that the spiritual gifts are for today and another one that knows the Holy Spirit is the only way to navigate through this life. The problem is, rather than coming together in love and sharpening each other’s swords, we make the decision to place a label of division over our door and drive people away from GOD. Walking in love is tough. We all think we are right and our pride gets in the way of standing back and seeing what GOD is doing in a situation. Looking at First Corinthians chapter 13 and doing our best to exhibit those characteristics would move us towards being imitators of GOD. because those characteristics are a detailed description of HIS face. The problem is that as humans we see everything as a personal attack when in fact God shapes us through adversity. Being open and honest with one another Walking in the light allowing others to see exactly who we are without hiding disarms what the enemy can do. Loving our neighbors as ourselves and honestly setting ourselves aside would be the destruction stance to take. My desire is to hear one statement. “Well done my good and faithful servant, now enter into my rest.” I’m not looking to point out anyone else’s flaws I have enough of my own. I just want to be obedient to what HE has called me to do. That means I have to speak HIS word even when others don’t like it and for all that matters even when I don’t like it. HE has given us every answer we will ever need. We are without excuse. Now we can pick and choose what we speak on and what we don’t but that does not change the fact that all these things are in the Bible and its our responsibility to search it out so that we are suited for battle. HE has not created an army of cowards, but spiritual warriors who will stand up and fight for those who can not fight for themselves. Who will walk in the light of love using wisdom to guide their words so that the correction given will be for the edification of the body. It’s just as important for us to know who labors among us. Setting our pride aside and understanding what GOD’S will is. If you have any questions about what GOD’S will is, it’s in the UIS word, and honestly, it’s simple. Jesus made it simple because HE knew we would try to complicate it. Let me tell you what it is… are you ready here comes years on secrets exposed in just a word…. “love,” walk in it. That’s GOD’S will. Jesus said all the commandments are summed up in this “LOVE” the LORD your GOD above all else and “LOVE” your neighbor as you love yourself. It is the fulfillment of the law. Walking in love, first Corinthians chapter 13, is the key that tells us how to imitate GOD. The guilt shame and fear that the enemy uses to push us into dark places can be eliminated though “LOVE” as we walk in the light, exposing who we are or used to be. We realize that we are not alone. You see that’s another tactic the enemy likes to use. Whispering that if they find out, or don’t say that. We are all sinners saved by grace. Prepared for the spiritual battle through what Christ did on the cross. So that we don’t have to hide or run from GOD. but running to HIM warts and all. HE knew you before the foundations of the world and HE called you to be adopted into the family, so that HE can sanctify you through HIS grace. I’m going to be honest, I could talk about this all day long. What I know beyond the shadow of a doubt is that God has my heart. I hope HE has yours. One statement that’s all I’m seeking. I don’t want to tear anyone down. My only desire is that all of us are in heaven together. Let GOD’S word shape you, read it, and seek HIS heart. HE has made sure that everyone on earth can have a copy of it if you don’t have one let my know and we can change that. One more thing and we will pray. Love does not hide the truth but rejoices in it. Its time to disarm the enemy. You don’t do that by chasing people away from church. You do that by getting in the mud with them you might have to get it on you but just don’t get it in you as my pastor say. You defeat evil with good not more evil.
Prayer:
Father, we understand we are in a spiritual war. A war against things we can’t see, and I know this morning I have been long winded. But I’m going to be honest I love your word. It has shaped me, and given me a boldness that can only cone from you. What a mighty GOD you are. This morning all I can ask is that you would set this SOAP in the hands of those who need to hear it and say what only you can say through it. You know the purpose you have for it and all I want id for your will to be done. You know our hearts, and the purpose you have made us for. Use us for your will. Help us to speak what you want said without the fear of man and what he thinks he can do. But let us have instead a reverent fear of you, a fear that would seek after your will and not our own. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.