March 25th
Scripture - Ephesians 5
Observation - Paul invited the Ephesians to imitate God by loving well! He also encouraged the church to respond to God’s love by living for Him, rather than other distractions by saying, “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. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God.” That’s quite a list of things that are easy to fall into. It’s so easy to fall into sin - distractions from the way God really designed us to live. Paul most likely quoted an early church worship song or poem when he wrote, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” (1.) Don’t settle in the life that we so easily get caught up in - instead, remember that Christ gives us life - raising us from the dead. Christ absolutely loves us, HIS CHURCH, like a groom loves his bride.
Excerpt From: N. T. Wright. “Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters.” iBooks. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/paul-for-everyone-the-prison-letters/id554073462?mt=11
Application - God unconditionally, absolutely loves us right where we’re at, but he loves us too much to leave us where we’re at. What is it in your life that God might be inviting you to lay down - what sin or distraction that you get so caught up in? Instead, lay it down and fix your heart, your love, your affection on the one who has saved you.
Prayer - God, I am so grateful for your love! Would you help me to lay down the sins and distractions that pull me away from you? Teach me what it means to live in love with you, laying down anything that would distract me from your love for me. Help me to find complete and whole love in you God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
