Ephesians 5:1-13
"Do everything in love."
(1 CORINTHIANS 16:14)
"C'MON! You Stink! Why are you on the field?" These were the words one of the Christian brothers used during a softball game. And these words were not directed to someone on the other team. They were yelled at a teammate who had just made his second error, allowing the opponent to score a run. Some camaraderie, right?
For many years in prison, we'd formed Christian teams for softball. The goal was to witness to the other teams and to our fellow prisoners who watched the games. We were supposed to be good sports and act according to our profession of faith. Too often we acted exactly like the other teams. Instead of being witnesses of Jesus, our team couldn't be distinguished from any other. Imagine the impact we could've had if we had encouraged each other rather than discouraged! What if we would say, "You'll get the next one" rather than "You stink"? What if we cared more about winning souls than winning games? Imagine if we played with love. Let's all do that in each of our day's activities.
INSIGHT
WHATEVER WE DO, ESPECIALLY WITH FELLOW CHRISTIANS, DO IN LOVE. CHRIST GAVE ALL HIS LOVE FOR YOU!
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Leviticus 5-6
Psalm 48
Luke 12
Ephesians 5:1-13
New International Version (NIV)
5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
Footnotes:
a. Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah anD gOD
MOVING WITH COMPASSION
with Mary Frances Bowley
What is it about the Cinderella story that moves us? It is the redemptive tale of a girl saved from slavery. In the world of human trafficking, many girls are still waiting for a savior.
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