November 16, 2016 - "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8)
In the 5th chapter of Ephesians the great Apostle Paul is telling us just how we should walk or live as God's children.
He makes no bones about it, telling us bluntly that as we are now blessed to be walking in the light of the Lord, we must act like it. In other words if we are going to talk the talk then we must walk the walk.
In the 4th chapter he tells us; "and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30) Having the blessing of redemption from God we are not to grieve, or cause mental stress, on the Holy Spirit.
"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32)
There is the formula for Christian living, loving God and loving our neighbor as ourself. We must remember, we are saved from God's wrath by God's grace through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. We are so richly blessed being heirs of the throne of God, members of the Holy Family of God, no manner of earthly fortunes can compare to the riches we have stored up for us. Praise God daily for this blessing, amen...
But, this great fortune carries with it responsibility. Each of us Christians may be the only face of Jesus many of the people we encounter each day will ever see. The image we project is going to be the vision they will forever have of the Lord Jesus.
It is the responsibility of each and every Christian to project a Godly image. If we are going to talk the talk, then, we must walk the walk, or, we do Jesus a great disservice.
As Paul tells us; "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:1-2)
We must project that Godly image if we are to serve God as He wishes each day.
As I write this column it is the eave of the Presidential election and I can't help but think of all the hate and disrespect I see between the final two candidates but also among the public. Never have I seen so much hate spewed out at others just because they are for the other parties candidate.
Not much of a Godly image being projected there is it.
It just shows me the growing need for all Christians to step up and spread the "good news" of the Christ each day.
As we come again to the National Day of Thanksgiving, let every Christian project the image of Jesus Christ as we go about our daily lives, meeting and interacting with others. Let us leave those who do not know Christ with a deep longing to know more about Him. Be imitators of God each day...
May God bless you and keep you each day..
