Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:21) Submission is the essence of relationship. When we put ourselves first, we aren’t really capable of loving anyone. Our own desires blind us to what the other person needs … Continue reading
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:19-20) What’s … Continue reading
…making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:16) Evil is. Make no mistake—there is evil in this world, no matter what the popular culture and the intellectual elite say. It surrounds us, and seems to … Continue reading
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise… (Ephesians 5:15). If you follow Christ, the world will not understand you. More than that, the world cannot understand you. John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the … Continue reading
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. (Eph. 5:11) Good things generally need light in order to grow. Sure, you can grow some things in darkness—mold, mildew, assorted fungal yuckiness—but not the good … Continue reading
…find out what pleases the Lord (Ephesians 5:10). There’s a big difference between desire and love. Desire is about you—your wants, your needs, and how the object of your desire can fulfill them. Even the term, “Object of your desire,” … Continue reading
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light… (Ephesians 5:8) Our culture is fascinated with darkness. Zombies, vampires, witches, demons—they fill our movie screens and paperback novels. And it’s not … Continue reading
…live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2). This verse goes along with yesterday’s. One of the most powerful features of God’s … Continue reading
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children… (Ephesians 5:1). Have you ever watched a son watch his father? The boy studies the man, soaking up the Dadness of it all. Words, clothing, even mannerisms—the child models after what … Continue reading
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Eph. 4:32). There’s an interesting thing about forgiveness. It works for the forgiver as powerfully as for the forgivee. Some of us—and by … Continue reading