The future of any people and a nation depend on following standards that are made by a higher being than humans; that higher being which is God, our Creator. All of mankind will be well served by following the words of the psalmist in Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Jesus said; Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? (Luke 6:29) Not only is that true physically, but it is true morally and spiritually; yet we see daily, the efforts of the morally and spiritually blind trying to lead the nation; refusing to let God’s word be a lamp and a light for the path of life for fear that someone might be offended if their devious and deviant ways are exposed in the light of truth contained in the Bible.

Paul continues in Ephesians 5 verse 6 with a warning about the ways of the ungodly: 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  Paul’s words point out he fact that there are those in the world who will declare it isn’t necessary to follow all of God’s instructions or any of God’s word. Vain means empty and worthless words designed to deceive. The words can be uttered by wayward Christians or the lost. Such behavior will bring God’s wrath upon anyone who becomes part of the children of disobedience as opposed to God’s children who obey his teachings.

Then in verse 7, Paul wrote, Be not ye therefore partakers with them.  He continued as he wrote about the unfruitful works of darkness with the instructions of verses 15-16: See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Pay attention to your thoughts and behavior, conducting yourselves , not as someone who doesn’t know the truth, but as one who knows what God requires. Make good use of the time for doing good (Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.) because the days are evil which he calls the present evil world in Galatians 1:4. Paul leaves no doubt that the opposite of God’s way in Christ is evil.  

Again Paul cautioned about the conduct of believers in verse 17: Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. You know the truth, and now you not only know, but understand what God wants for you instead of being foolish and senseless as the world dictates.  (Confer with Ephesians 4:22-24)

Verse 18 begins with an admonition about the way of the world and concludes with the opposite of the worldly conduct: And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Who can deny that wine causes unwanted behavior when the individual is drunk? The opposite is to be filled with Spirit of God to the edification of all the believers from a heart filled with thankfulness to God in the name of Christ, verses 19-20: Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; A companion teaching can be found in Colossians 3:16-17: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

God’s prescription for the earthly life serves not only the Christian well, but it will serve the unsaved with a better earthly life even though they refuse to obey the gospel.  Certainly, a Christian who lives according to the will of God can and will be a very positive influence on the lost of the world that are pursuing worldly pleasures. Showing the will of God though daily living is a part of going into all the world and preaching the gospel to all creatures. Then God will be the lamp and the guide for the path of life as the Psalmist said, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105) That most certainly includes the children being trained up in the ways of God to direct their path.    

© 03-15-2008 DEC

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