7/21/22

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:6-13‬.

“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! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 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.”

Jesus warned that the world would try to tempt us away from our connection with God. He was tested Himself as the devil offered Him power and riches, but Jesus resisted it all. Paul writes “Don’t participate in the things these people do” ( v. 7), encouraging us to respond in faith as Jesus did.

Once we have accepted Christ, we are washed clean and made right again with God. As humans, we are exposed to sin every day but we are given the strength to endure the trial through the presence of the Holy Spirit. When the day of reckoning arrives “their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them” (v. 13).

God wants us to avoid the evil we once practiced, but when we fail He stands ready to forgive us if we repent. Peter denied even knowing Jesus (Luke 22:55-62) but he received Christ’s forgiveness and restoration to lead the early church (John 21). Staying in connection with our Heavenly Father through what Jesus taught is the only way we can be saved. 

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we have fallen away, but we are blessed to receive Your mercy and reconciliation. Send us to share Your love with everyone everywhere, that all the world may return to You. Amen.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *