“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” – Ephesians 5:1-17 (KJV)
1 Therefore, be imitators of God as his dearly loved children. 2 And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But do not let sexual immorality, any kind of impurity, or greed even be mentioned among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse joking are also out of place. Instead, give thanks. 5 Certainly you are aware of this: No immoral, impure, or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, who is God.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words. It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7 So do not share in what they do.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, 9 for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. 10 Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord, 11 and do not participate in fruitless deeds of darkness. Instead, expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention the things that are done by people in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes things visible. 14 Therefore it is said, “Awake, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Consider carefully, then, how you walk, not as unwise people, but as wise people. 16 Make the most of your time,[b] because the days are evil. 17 For this reason, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. – Ephesians 5:1-17 (EHV)
Footnotes:
[a] Ephesians 5:5 Or and of God
[b] Ephesians 5:16 Or Redeem the time
Thank you for this quote of the day. We must take heed.
I gave care to my Mother as she fought Alzheimer’s and dementia and it was difficult to watch the disease cause her to devolve in meanness, anger and lack of emotional control.
As I look at the actions of Joe Biden, unfortunately I see the same expressions and mannerisms that consumed my otherwise wonderful mother and our family.
Pray that the Lord provides US the strength to handle the future.
This second verse is said as part of our worship service every time, sort of a commissioning and reminder to all gathered.
Our priest said in this weekend’s message: “I can’t tell you what this year will bring, but I can tell you who to listen to: FOLLOW JESUS.”
Yes, thanks for the Scripture! When I read TominAlaska’s mention about ‘meanness, anger and lack of emotional control’, I am afraid I had to flash to instances of that in me. Praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, revival in the saints, and another Great Awakening.