… because the days are evil.
Summary: Like so many words, there are different meanings for “evil.” In this case Paul might as well have said “because the days are difficult.”
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:16b – Why We Do It”Ephesians 5:16a – Opper Nockity
… making the most of every opportunity
Summary: Old jokes and old sayings are the bulk of today’s meditation. Paul’s “opportunity” is also translated as “time” and “season.” The real question is, “What are you doing now?”
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:16a – Opper Nockity”Ephesians 5:15b – The Light of Christ
—not as unwise but as wise
Summary: Wisdom is a word that describes a state of mind. We attribute wisdom to the things people do when they work out well. People who are careful how they live and keep their eyes on Christ do well.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:15b – The Light of Christ”Ephesians 5:15a – So What?
Be very careful, then, how you live —
Summary: Once again, we are confronted by the question of “works.” Paul tells us to be careful how we live, yet we know that we are justified by faith and forgiven by the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7-8). So what’s the big deal?
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:15a – So What?”Ephesians 5:14 – Waking Bacchus
This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Summary: Paul shares a touching little saying with us today the opens a door through time to give us a glimpse of the people in his world.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:14 – Waking Bacchus”Ephesians 5:13b – Flipping the Switch
— and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
Summary: Understanding the metaphor of light and dark opens up a world of understanding about the spiritual realm.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:13b – Flipping the Switch”Ephesians 5:13a – The Big Light
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible …
Summary: When someone suddenly “get’s it,” we say the “light went on.” In my own faith journey, a whole string of lights had to go on.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:13a – The Big Light”Ephesians 5:12 – What The Disobedient Do
It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
Summary: Being disobedient is a way of life for some. The result of rejecting God is that we step out on our own, become our own judge, and have to decide what is right or wrong for ourselves. The only problem with that scenario is that when we leave this life, we have to stand before our Maker and defend those decisions.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:12 – What The Disobedient Do”Ephesians 5:11 – Good Guy or Bad Guy?
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Summary: Paul’s instruction in this passage seems simple on the surface. The challenge is trying to agree on what it means to be “good” and “bad.” Turning to God’s Word is the only reliable source of finding out.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:11 – Good Guy or Bad Guy?”Ephesians 5:10 – Pleasing the Lord
… and find out what pleases the Lord.
Summary: In this short passage, Paul challenges us to find out what pleases the Lord. Part of the challenge is pleasing the Lord even when we don’t feel like it.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:10 – Pleasing the Lord”