Day 8
Read Ephesians 5:1-20
5:1 Be Imitators of God: Child-father metaphor, if the child spends time with a parent then they will have the same lifestyles. More time in prayer, meditation, the study of the word makes us like Jesus Christ. Christian walk in all seriousness is the theme of this chapter. Love, judgment, light, wisdom, and fullness of the Holy Spirit are five contextual reasons. Imitate him in ethics, in suffering, in obedience, in work, in prayer, and in love.
5:2.Walk-in love: Give you as offering and sacrifice.1). Love is agape, based on principle and not an emotion. Love the unlovable. 2.) Love is sacrifice. 3). Love is reconciling. He brought a complete relationship.
5:3-7 Walk in Judgment: Walk in love does not mean to sin. He strongly emphasized the concept of Ten Commandments and the Leviticus rules of conduct in these verses.
V.6 he strongly warns these will not enter into the kingdom of God. Living life as though God is nothing to do with me is more tragic in the world. Judgment is inevitable 2 Corinthians 5:10, Hebrews 9:27. Love is sure the Wrath of God is also sure of children of disobedience.
5:8-14 Walk in Light: Move from darkness to light from mould to new lifestyles. Reflect Him. Jn 8:12. and Mt 5:14-15. Let your light shine before all.
5:15-17 walk-in wisdom: 1 Corinthians 1: 20, 21; 3:19, 2 Corinthians 1:12. The wisdom and knowledge are not what we know but we do and practice. The knowledge of God is embodied in our day-to-day life. It is not the bookish or head knowledge but working knowledge. It is not the degree what we hold but what we practice. The wise in God does correctly but the ignorant do everything wrong.
5:18-20 Walk with the fullness of the Spirit: The HS filled life always gives strength to walk in love, judgment, Light and Wisdom. Without the Spirit of God, it would be Enlightenment and empowerments are the two blessings of HS. Under whose control is my body, spirit and mind? Is it under alcohol, greed, lust, covetousness, anything else? If HS fills our heart then where is the place for anything else.
