Look what benefit there is for every son and daughter of the living God!
Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.
Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us,
an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
Just look at that scripture! All the accusations against God and Christianity are false.
The blessing is so tender-beloved of God, Loved by Christ, and offering to God that is like a sweet fragrance.
And God works through us – imitators of God, walk in love like Jesus, and an offering to God.
Ephesians 5:1 & 2 (WEB)
Honeysuckles
Only true, born-again believers know what a privilege it is to serve our Savior and Lord.
So, when we read all of Ephesians 5, we see that these helpful verses are a guide so we can enjoy the benefits of being God’s own.
Staying in step with the Savior is possible when we trust and obey Him, and when we know the Scriptures.
Proof text of salvation: 1 John 1 -5
Take a look at the warnings below. We must be committed to keeping His Word in our hearts. The pull of the world into sinful behaviors is a real and constant threat.
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
Ephesians 5:3 & 4 (NLT)
That verse doesn’t just stop at warning us against immorality, but it clearly warns against coveting (desiring) what the world has and does.
In these passages we are also told not to laugh at and joke about sin.
Why?
Jesus died on the cross because of sin.
“…for the light makes everything visible.“
Those who reject Christ live in ways that excuse sinful behavior. Not just the many people we know and live around, but unapproachable and powerful people and public figures who reject Christ and make light of faith.
An example is how entertainment can invade our lives and tempt us to sin.
Stop.
Think.
Every time we watch television shows or movies or listen to music that promotes or laughs at breaking God’s moral law, then we are being entertained by what Jesus died for.
Followers of Christ are not offended by God’s moral law. Believers know it is for our good and His glory. Only those stuck in habitual sin and unbelievers are offended.
God’s Word is a guide that protects us and our families from harm and disillusion.
This is not to imply that obedience is easy and comes naturally to believers. Our sin nature is still fighting to overcome God’s will.
That is why it is so serious to be devoted to God’s Word. This is just godly wisdom and common sense to a believer.
Think about all of the television comedies where couples live in adulterous situations. Often, they even portray the negative outcomes, but we still watch and laugh.
And Jesus hung on a cross for that.
Now I am not saying get rid of your television. Use discretion. And we should never judge or preach. Only the Holy Spirit can ever win souls that have rejected Christ. But neither should we join with them in mocking our own faith as if it were a joke.
Take time to read the rest of the verses below. How does your life measure up?
Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.
Ephesians 5:5 (WEB)
Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So, live as people of light!
Ephesians 5:6-8 (NLT)
For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Ephesians 5:9 (NLT)
Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said
Ephesians 5:10-13 (NLT)
“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
Ephesians 5:14 (NLT)
World English Bible (WEB)
by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 