Monday, September 7, 2015

Ephesians 5:8-9

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)...

Reflection

The Apostle Paul says that when we were living in sin that we were darkness.  That’s interesting.  He doesn’t say that we were in the darkness.  Paul says that we were actually a part of the darkness.  That’s a nuance of his teaching that shouldn’t be ignored.  When we live our lives in sin we actually become one with the darkness.

Then Paul says that in Christ we are in the light.  In fact, he describes the light in which we are living as emanating from the Lord.  “You are light in the Lord.”  We are not light because of anything we have done.  We are light because we live our lives in the presence of Jesus Christ.

Since we live in the light of the Lord then Paul instructs us to live as children of the light.  We are to choose to live appropriately and that means to choose to do the deeds that reflect the light of Jesus.  That means we should live in goodness, righteousness and truth.

In your time of reflection take time to think on what it would mean to live in sin and actually be darkness.

How is your life different that you are now living in the light of Jesus?

September 6-12

Living in the Light

It’s hard to imagine, but living outside the love and grace of Jesus Christ is like living in total darkness.  Biblically, sin is often described by the metaphor of darkness.  We all know what it is like to stumble around in darkness.  Have you ever tried to go down an unfamiliar flight of stairs in the darkness?  It can be downright hazardous to your health.

Living in spiritual darkness is also very dangerous.  Sin eats away at our soul and hardens our hearts to the voice of the Spirit calling us to repentance.

The good news is that Jesus invites us to live in his light.  Jesus invites us to expose the darkness in our lives and eradicate it forever through his grace and forgiveness. Living in the light of Jesus instead of languishing in the darkness of our sin is the wise choice.

This week we are going to explore what it means to live in the light as we look at Ephesians 5:8-20

Saturday, September 5, 2015

2 Chronicles 12:13-14

King Rehoboam established himself firmly in Jerusalem and continued as king.  He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel in which to put his Name.  His mother’s name was Naamah; she was an Ammonite.  He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the Lord.

Reflection

Why does the scripture say that King Rehoboam was evil?  He was evil because he did not set his heart on seeking the Lord.  At the very foundation of sin is the failure of not making the Lord the first priority of our lives.  If our hearts do not belong to Jesus then we will naturally move toward sin.

If we want to live above the reproach of sin then we must constantly seek after the Lord.  Making Jesus the focus and desire of our lives is the path to turning away from sin.

Have you ever considered that the essence of evil and sin is not seeking the Lord?

Friday, September 4, 2015

Deuteronomy 29:18

Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.

Reflection

Paul begins this passage by telling the Ephesian Christians (and all of us as well) that we should live a life that is beyond reproach.  He says that there shouldn’t be a hint of sin in our lives.  The sins that Paul lists are representative of the large array of human behavior that falls into the category of sin.  Paul is not trying to lift up some sin over other sin.  He is giving examples of sin but he is basically saying that we should stay away from all sin.

Paul tells us that willful sin (choosing sin even when we know that it is wrong) is not behavior appropriate for God’s people.

Consider these questions:

How do you avoid temptation and the possibility of falling into sin in your life?

Why should you work to not even have a hint of sin in your life?

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Ephesians 5:6

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.  Therefore do not be partners with them.

Reflection

Paul warns us that we shouldn’t listen to those who tell us that sin doesn’t matter to God and that God will not bring judgment upon sin.  Paul tells us not to associate with or be partners with people who would teach such a thing.

Paul realizes that God takes sin seriously and he doesn’t want us to be deceived into believing that sin will be inconsequential.  Paul wants us to avoid sin and he shares with us that God’s desire is that we avoid sin as well.

How does the culture and people in the culture try to tell us that sin is not important?

How should we live in the culture but not be influenced by the culture’s view on sin?

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Ephesians 5:5

For 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.

Reflection

Paul equates sinful living with idolatry.  Why?  Because if we are choosing sin then we are choosing things above God and that is the essence of idolatry.  When we choose something other than God we have made that thing or action an idol.

Paul then says something that is hard for many of us to accept.  He says that those who engage in willful sin will come under the judgment of God.  They will not share in the inheritance of Christ and of God.  That warning should be enough to cause us to avoid sin and live a life above reproach.

Spend some time considering this fact:  Sin has consequences.

What are the ramifications of sin?

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Ephesians 5:4

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Reflection

Paul continues with sharing various examples of inappropriate behavior for those who follow Jesus.  Again, as was noted yesterday, Paul is not saying that a particular sin should be avoided more than others.  The Bible teaches us that sin is sin.  Paul is only giving us some examples of the kind of sin that can creep into our lives.

Paul tells us that instead of spending our time involved in sinful activity that we would be better off giving God thanks.  We should spend our time thanking and praising God and we will be much less likely to fall into sinful living.

This week when you are tempted to behave or take actions that do not line up with what God would want for you try thanking God for all your blessings and praising him for the salvation that is provided in Jesus Christ.  Maybe the temptation to sin will leave your heart and mind.