8 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light].
9 For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or [a]the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.
10 And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him].
11 Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] [b]expose and reprove and convict them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of or mention the things that [such people] practice in secret.
13 But when anything is exposed and reproved by the light, it is made visible and clear; and where everything is visible and clear there is light.
14 Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light.
15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),
16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.
19 Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [[c]and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord,
20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Ephesians 5:8-20
Ephesians 5:8-20
Alright so there you have it from Paul himself!
How many times do we actually apply this thinking to our daily walk?
I will be the first to admit when I am in conversations, or listening to my teacher speak in class, and there is something where I know it is wrong to even think about, within myself I will not agree but outwardly I say nothing....but here the scripture is saying EXPOSE IT reveal the filth that tries to sneak and creep around as if it owns the place, and shoot it down.
One of many reasons many people still walk in darkness is because no one is willing to show where the light can be found. Our lives must be different if they are going to change anything!
Another interesting point in vs. 13 is it says that only where EVERYTHING is clear and visible is there light. Meaning that there can be no half truths, no gossip, no secrets, no cover ups and sugar coatings, no I like you but secretly I find you annoying, and no secret saints...you're either showing your light or hiding it in the darkness thinking that's going to make a difference, but it won't.
So is everything VISIBLE and CLEAR in our lives?
Are what we stand for VISIBLE and CLEAR?
From the distance and up close is what and WHO we believe in EVIDENT?
In order to be complete and full lights to shine to others we must get rid of our shadows and shades of standing on the fence about our morals and ABSOLUTE TRUTHS.
So is everything VISIBLE and CLEAR in our lives?
Are what we stand for VISIBLE and CLEAR?
From the distance and up close is what and WHO we believe in EVIDENT?
In order to be complete and full lights to shine to others we must get rid of our shadows and shades of standing on the fence about our morals and ABSOLUTE TRUTHS.
The world have enough christians in the world, but where are the CHRIST FOLLOWERS?! Where are the people who LIVE and ACT according to the will of the Lord? Where are those believers that walk around SHINING the truth rather than walking around with the name tag saying, "Hello, I am a christian" and then hoping no one asks you about it?
Vs. 15-17 says
PAY ATTENTION TO HOW YOU WALK, ACT, LIVE!
Live with PURPOSE
Live WORTHILY
Make the MOST of your time, seize EVERY opportunity, no matter what is on your schedule next THE KINGDOM is your TOP priority. Don't miss it.
Don't be VAGUE or THOUGHTLESS meaning don't Kinda know what God's will is, KNOW what is right and what is wrong, know the truth and then proclaim it.
What does Christ think about gays, abortions, stealing, the entertainment we dwell on (music, TV, movies, books), the people we hang out with, the places we go, our humor, the words that slip from our mouths, and the thoughts that run through our mind...
What PLEASES God and what GRIEVES Him?
Be FIRM and ASSURE about what pleases the Lord. Because that's what our lives as true disciples of Christ is all about.
PLEASING GOD AND BRINGING
ALL GLORY, HONOR, AND PRAISE TO HIM!
Vs. 18
Whether to drink or not is a choice, but to get drunk is ALWAYS wrong for a follower of Christ.
Personally I do not like drinking at all, and I don't believe it's good way to be an example as a leader in Christ. Drinking may be alright to some but it distresses many other believers, why cause peace to cease over something as insignificant as a drink?
I personally would rather be immersed and filled with the Holy Spirit any day then going out and casually drinking with my friends.
In the verse below we will find that we cannot walk in love, and do what we want just because we feel it is right. If we continue to offend those around us and say "Well I have no problem with it so they can just sit and watch, it's not like I'm asking for them to do it with me" then we become selfish in our standards.
It's not a sin to drink but it is a sin to cause a believer in Christ to stumble, or cause disunity if you do it in their presence and they are distressed by it.
Romans 14:15-17 says...
15 But if your brother is being pained or his feelings hurt or if he is being injured by what you eat, [then] you are no longer walking in love. [You have ceased to be living and conducting yourself by the standard of love toward him.] Do not let what you eat hurt or cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died!
16 Do not therefore let what seems good to you be considered an evil thing [by someone else]. [In other words, do not give occasion for others to criticize that which is justifiable for you.]
17 [After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
It's not a matter on whether we can have this drink or not, it's a matter of the righteousness that is produced out of our every action and deed.
Does drinking produce righteousness? or just loose lips, and morals?
In closing...
vs. 19-20
GATHER TOGETHER AND JUST SING IN UNITY ABOUT HOW INCREDIBLY AMAZING OUR GOD IS!
GIVE GOD THANKS IN EVERYTHING
AND IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES PRAISE HIS NAME!
So many lights on in this city
The people still walk in the dark
I watch them as they're passing by me
I hide the truth inside my heart
'Cause I'm afraid to lose control
I'm comfortable
But there's something in my soul
They need to know
Shine, shine, shine tonight
It's time to let it show
Burn bright, light the fire
That leads the way to hope
The Maker of the stars lives in our soul
We have His light, what are we waiting for?
GET OUT and GLOW
Glow by Moriah Peters
