So great to have
you back again for more Daily Bread! In our last study, Paul was explaining
how to live by Faith with the spiritual gifts that the Lord has blessed us
with. In this chapter he’ll tell us even more ways to walk in the light of
the Lord.
Be followers of
God, as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and
has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet
smelling savor (aroma).
But fornication,
and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named (accused)
among you, as suitable for saints, neither filthiness, nor foolish talking,
nor jesting, which are not proper, but rather giving of thanks. Because you
know this, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is
an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no man deceive you
with vain (empty) words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God
upon the children of disobedience. Don’t be partakers with them, because
once you were in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, so walk as
children of light (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and
righteousness and Truth), demonstrating what is acceptable to the Lord.
And have no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Because it is too shameful even to speak of those things which are done of
them in secret. But all things that are condemned are revealed by the light,
for whatsoever makes things known is light.
Make certain,
then, that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise, making good use of
your time, because the days are evil (we live in evil times). So, don’t be
unwise, but be understanding of what the will of the Lord is.
And don’t be drunk
with wine, which is excessive, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to
yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God
and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting yourselves
one to another in the fear of God.
Wives, submit
yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Because the husband is the
head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church, and He is the
savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the
wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Here’s a question
for you. Why did God make woman in the first place?
Genesis 2:20
says that she was meant to be a help for him. She wasn’t created to be equal
to him, or to compete with him. She was created to be submissive. Let me
also emphasize the part where it says “as to the Lord”. In other words,
treat your husband with the same kind of respect as you would the Lord. You
wouldn’t feel the need to compete with, or be equal to, or wield authority
over the Lord, so likewise, be submissive to your husband. In addition, you
should consider how many women there are (or rather aren’t) that walk in
Christ in this way. It should be looked at as a redeeming quality, instead
of defeat, as the world has taught women to view it. The Bible has given the
ingredients that women need to be found right in the eyes of the Lord ...
Virtuous woman
This does not mean
women are men's slaves or are to be treated poorly. In fact, it's just the
opposite. Paul continues ... Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also
loved the church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and
cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it
to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such
thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. In this way men ought
to love their wives as much as their own bodies. He that loves his wife
loves himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and
cherishes it, even as the Lord does the church, because we are members of
His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.
For this reason
shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife,
and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery (hidden truth), but
I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you
in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she
reverence (respect) her husband.
If you’re a
Christian, you have to be simply horrified at the television shows that
depict the promiscuity of American housewives. They teach the women of the
world that sin is acceptable and they promote everything that is against the
Bible. The problem is that most women have adapted to the new trends and
distinguishing the difference between right and wrong has become impossible.
The answer is SIMPLE. The world teaches one thing and the Bible teaches
another. Cannot serve both God and the devil. CHOOSE ... Before it is chosen
for you. Cuz to do nothing is still having made a choice.
In the Lord’s eyes are
these new trends being taught any different than teaching children that sin
is acceptable? We’re all His children. Do you think it matters to Him if the
child is 8 or 18 or 38 or 78 years old? It’s time that people stop to
realize that this is the kind of behavior that Paul talks about in every one
of his letters. It’s called evil, temptation, sin, wickedness, and many
other things that will do nothing but lead your soul to death. How do you
deal with things like this? Put on your armor. Come on back next time and
we’ll find out about the armor of God in the conclusion of Paul’s letter to
the Ephesians and the faithful in Christ, right here at Daily Bread!
