Ephesians 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.
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives and Husbands
22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
To Do:
+imitate God +expose fruitless deeds
+thanksgiving +be careful how you live
+make most of opportunities +understand God's will
+be filled with the Spirit +speak in psalms, hymns, songs
+submit to each other
Not To Do:
-sexual immorality -obscenity
-impurity -greed
-coarse joking -foolish talking
-talk about disobedient people -get drunk
The list is evenly split. I am more interested in seeking the things that I am TO DO, yet get stuck on some of the things I am called NOT TO DO. Some of the NOT TO DO things seem to have some room for debate, but I think you need to be careful not to be trying to justify actions also. With sexual immorality it seems it would just be best to turn off the TV. I wonder where the line is drawn on jokes. I know personally I grew up telling racial jokes and they do not even cross my lips now, but I still tell an occasional joke. Or does coarse joking include pranking each other or talking sarcastically in play with each other? And gossip is so easy to get pulled in to, especially when someone has been caught doing something wrong.
Last thought: I wonder what impact advertising has and what if the church spent as much money advertising as the beer companies. You've got to admit, the beer commercials are fun to watch.
"Men should act like Men." What beer advertiser?
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2 comments:
Nash - I typed a long msg but then had to create an account, so I lost my post.
Eph 5 is very interesting in that it deals with a couple of key things. One is what to do and not do and then husband/wife relationship.
I remember reading this before Carrie and I got married and it is a very common verse that is read at most weddings.
I don't really struggle that much with some of the NOT to list anymore, but sometimes struggle on the TO list. I think I live a pretty good moral life, but sometimes do not devote all my attention and mainly time to following him.
Verse 7 and 11 are very direct verses. I think old school thinking is you kind of distance yourself from non-Christians. I think my parents were like that when I grew up. However, to really witness to someone you need to become close to them.
Good point Jon, it is hard to witness and have impact and influence on someone if you don't have a close relationship. The thing to watch is not letting the other person affect you!
Thanks for joining!
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