This is a continuation from the following posts:
In
Ephesians 5:1-4, Paul is asking us to imitate God and then he gives a short list of things we should be staying away from if we are to be imitators of God and children of the Light.
In
Ephesians 5:5, he reminds us that those who are not imitators of God are not worthy of his kingdom.
In
Ephesians 5:6-10, Paul is asking us to stay away from things that are not of God because it brings about the wrath of God on those who are disobedient.
In
Ephesians 5:11-13, Paul is telling us to stay away from darkness and those who walk in it, but also to reveal the darkness with the light.
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest,
and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give
thee light. [v14]
As imitators of Christ we are called to walk in his light, we are also told to be careful of how we live our lives.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as
fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time,
because the days are evil. [v15,16]
If I am wise, if I am following Christ then I will be trying to make the most of my life for him and doing his work while there is still time.
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding
what the will of the Lord is. [17]
I believe as imitators we will be walking with God and reading his word and praying to him daily that his voice will be clear to us and we will know his will and know what we need to do in order to execute it. Paul gave us a little list to start us off ...
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;
but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Giving thanks always for all things unto God
and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another
in the fear of God. [v18 - 21]
Sometimes it is hard to continually think of God, especially when the things of the world keeps weighing in on us. It know though, that it gets easier as we continue daily in his word and as we continually pray and praise. As we become closer to him, as we walk with him we are also able to submit to one another in love.
Comments (2)
For me, v19 stands out so much.
19Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, (Amplified)
I love the Lord, and I love to worship Him. I even carry songs of praise in my heart. But my tongue is so sharp and sarcastic towards some others. It is indeed hard to continually walk with Him.
@sugarKiub@xanga - I like that version ... very nice insight there ... but I agree, I sing and pray to God a lot but sometimes my words to my brothers and sisters is not very good ... :(
It's a continual journey for sure ..