Make Your Life Count

Ephesians 5:13-20  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

The principles of making our lives count for God

1. Forsaking the darkness. 1. (Eph 5:1-2) Walking in love. 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. a.  Therefore : Here, Paul concludes the thought from Eph 4, where he described how Christians should relate to one another. b.  Be imitators of God : The idea is simple – that we are to make God our example and model. We can’t content ourselves comparing us among men. We must heed the idea of 1Pe 1:15-16 : as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.
2. It does not say, “Think about God” or “Admire God” or “Adore God,” though those are all important Christian duties. This is a call to practical action, going beyond our inner life with God. ii. We could say this is a continuation of the same idea Paul mentioned in Eph 4:13 regarding the extent of Christian growth: to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. We could also say that this is a continuation of the idea from Eph 4:32, where we were commanded to be forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you. God’s behavior towards us becomes our measure for our behavior towards one another. iii. It is important to see that God is far more than our example. Many errors come into the church when Jesus is presented only as an example of behavior. We are not saved by the example of Jesus, but once saved His example is meaningful to us. God is more than our example, but He is also our example. c.  As dear children : Children are natural imitators. They often do just what they see their parents or other adults do. When we act according to our nature as children of God, we will imitate Him. i. As we do imitate God, we become representatives of God, especially before those who have shut God out of their life. “What are we sent into the world for? Is it not that we may keep men in mind of God, whom they are most anxious to forget? If we are imitators of God, as dear children, they will be compelled to recollect that there is a God, for they will see his character reflected in ours. I have heard of an atheist who said he could get over every argument except the example of his godly mother: he could never answer that.”
3. Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us : As in all things, Jesus is our example. As He  has loved us and has  given Himself for us, we are to display the same kind of self-giving love. e.  An offering and a sacrifice : Jesus’ giving of Himself was obviously a sacrifice pleasing to the Father. We can also offer a pleasing sacrifice ( a sweet-smelling aroma) as we give ourselves in love to others. i. We often think we could lay down our life in a dramatic way to show our love for others. But God often calls us to lay down our lives little by little – in small coins instead of one large payment – but it is laying down our lives nonetheless. ii. Adam Clarke on  an offering : “An oblation, an eucharistic offering; the same as minchah, Lev 2:1 and following, which is explained to be an offering made unto the Lord, of fine flour, with oil and frankincense. It means, any offering by which gratitude was expressed for temporal blessings received from the bounty of God.”

iii. Adam Clarke on  a sacrifice : “A sin-offering, a victim for sin; the same as zebach, which almost universally means that sacrificial act in which the blood of an animal was poured out as an atonement for sin. These terms may be justly considered as including every kind of sacrifice, offering, and oblation made to God on any account.”

2. (Eph 5:3-4) A contrast to walking in love: conduct not fitting for the Christian. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. a.  Let it not even be named among you : Paul groups together these ideas of sexual sin and impropriety, indicating that none of these are  fitting for saints and should not even  be named among God’s people.
3. Paul uses a comprehensive list of sexual sins: Fornication (porneia), a broad word describing sexual sin

• Uncleanness, another broad word for “dirty” moral behavior, especially in a sexual sense ·  Filthiness, which has much the same as  uncleanness ·  Coarse jesting, which has the idea of inappropriate, “dirty” sexual humour. ii. We must notice the theme of the moral appeal. It isn’t “avoid these things so that you can be a saint.” Rather, it is “you are a saint; now live in a manner fitting for a saint.” The constant moral appeal of the New Testament is simply this: be who you are in Jesus. b.  As is fitting for saints : This emphasis on sexual sin was appropriate. The culture of Paul’s day (and in the city of Ephesus especially) was given over to sexual immorality. The sort of behavior Paul says is not  fitting for saints was pretty much completely approved by the culture. It’s just the same way today. c.  Covetousness… foolish talking : Paul also included  covetousness and  foolish talking in this list because of their close association with sexual sin. The desire to have something that doesn’t belong to us and foolish speaking have led many people into sexual sin. But  covetousness and  foolish talking also have relevance beyond their relation to sexual sin. i.  Foolish talking is literally “an easy turn of speech.” In the context, the idea is of the one who can turn every conversation into a joking comment on sexual matters, usually with a double-entendre. d.  But rather giving of thanks : Positively, the Christian is to give  thanks for sex. We receive it thankfully as a gift, and we enjoy sex in a way that glorifies the Giver. i. God’s purpose in giving sex is not primarily for the gratification of the individual, but for the bonding together of husband and wife in a one-flesh relationship. Certain expressions of sexuality are sin not because God wants to deprive some aspect of enjoyment, but because they work against His primary purpose for sex.

3. (Eph 5:5-7) The consequences of conduct not fitting for Christians. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. a.  Has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God : The people mentioned in Eph 5:3 (the  fornicator , the  unclean person and the  covetous man) have no inheritance in God’s kingdom. If God’s kingdom is alive in them, a transformation has occurred so that they cannot rest in the habitual practice of these things. i. Paul’s idea in this passage can be applied out of context in a condemning way. One might say, “Well, I’ve thought about committing fornication, so that means that I have fornicated in my heart and that means that I am as guilty as someone who has actually committed the act of fornication. Since I am as guilty as that one, and they have no inheritance in the kingdom of God, neither do I, because of my thoughts about fornication.” But this is against the plain sense of God’s word. b.  Covetous man, who is an idolater : Significantly, Paul says that the  covetous man is an  idolater. Idolatry happens in much more subtle (and powerful) ways than bowing down before a statue. c.  Let no one deceive you with empty words : We cannot allow  empty words to excuse or minimize the judgment due to the practice of these sins. It is certain that  because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. d.  Therefore do not be partakers with them : Paul assumes that Christians will not have their lives habitually marked by fornication, uncleanness or covetousness. But we should not even occasionally be  partakers with them who are.
4. (Eph 5:8-12) The passing from darkness to light. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. a.  For you were once darkness : As Paul condemned those who practiced fornication, uncleanness or covetousness as the sons of disobedience (Eph 5:6), he also recognized that this was the exact  darkness Christians emerged from. But now, having been enlightened, we are to  walk as children of the light. i. Again, the theme is repeated: you are  children of light, so live like  children of light. ii. Paul doesn’t only say that we were once in darkness. He says we  were once darkness itself. Now, we are not only in the light, we  are light in the Lord. b.  For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth : In contrast to the walk in darkness and wrath is the  fruit of the Spirit, more fully described in Gal 5:22-23.  Goodness, righteousness, and truth should mark us, because we have the Holy Spirit in our life. d.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them : Instead of associating with ungodliness, we expose the  unfruitful works of darkness. However, we do not do this for the purpose of merely talking about them (which is  shameful), but for the purpose of educating ourselves enough to avoid them. i. Christians must guard against a prurient interest in  the works of darkness, even in times of testimony or research. ii. Paul is careful to say that we should avoid the  unfruitful works of darkness, not the people who are in darkness. B. Walking in the light.
5. (Eph 5:13-14) The fact of the light’s presence. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
6. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light : Even the things done  in secret will be exposed. They will be made  manifest by the light of God’s searching judgment. i. This is a reason for avoiding and exposing the unfruitful works of darkness as described in Eph 5:8-12. Since those unfruitful works are destined for exposure and their day will be over, it makes sense for Christians to avoid such unfruitful works. b.  Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead : Our participation in the light is shown by our resurrection with Jesus (He made us alive together with Christ, Eph 2:5). Paul quoted what was probably a “worship chorus” from the early church to illustrate this truth. i. Remember that this exhortation to  awake comes to Christians. A Christian may be asleep and not know it. If you are asleep, you probably do not know it. As soon as you become aware of your sleep, it is evidence that you are now awake. ii. “This sleepiness in the Christian is exceedingly dangerous, too, because he can do a great deal while he is asleep that will make him look as if he were quite awake.”

• We can speak when we are asleep · We can hear when we are asleep · We can walk when we are asleep · We can sing when we are asleep · We can think when we are asleep

iii. “The man who is asleep does not care what becomes of his neighbours; how can he while he is asleep? And oh! some of you Christians do not care whether souls are saved or damned… It is enough for them if they are comfortable. If they can attend a respectable place of worship and go with others to heaven, they are indifferent about everything else.”

2. (Eph 5:15-17) Walking in the light means walking in wisdom. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. a.  See then that you walk circumspectly : Because this light was given to us, we should walk  circumspectly – carefully, wisely,  not as fools. i. Adam Clarke thought that the phrase  not as fools was connected to the practices of devotion to the ancient god Bacchus, worship with drinking and partying. “ Do not become madmen. Here is a most evident allusion to the orgies of Bacchus, in which his votaries acted like madmen; running about, tossing their heads from shoulder to shoulder, appearing to be in every sense completely frantic.”
3. Forsaking the darkness. 1. (Eph 5:1-2) Walking in love. 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. a.  Therefore : Here, Paul concludes the thought from Eph 4, where he described how Christians should relate to one another. b.  Be imitators of God : The idea is simple – that we are to make God our example and model. We can’t content ourselves comparing us among men. We must heed the idea of 1Pe 1:15-16 : as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
4. It does not say, “Think about God” or “Admire God” or “Adore God,” though those are all important Christian duties. This is a call to practical action, going beyond our inner life with God.
5. We could say this is a continuation of the same idea Paul mentioned in Eph 4:13 regarding the extent of Christian growth: to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. We could also say that this is a continuation of the idea from Eph 4:32, where we were commanded to be forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you. God’s behavior towards us becomes our measure for our behavior towards one another.

iii. It is important to see that God is far more than our example. Many errors come into the church when Jesus is presented only as an example of behavior. We are not saved by the example of Jesus, but once saved His example is meaningful to us. God is more than our example, but He is also our example.

1. As dear children : Children are natural imitators. They often do just what they see their parents or other adults do. When we act according to our nature as children of God, we will imitate Him.
2. As we do imitate God, we become representatives of God, especially before those who have shut God out of their life. “What are we sent into the world for? Is it not that we may keep men in mind of God, whom they are most anxious to forget? If we are imitators of God, as dear children, they will be compelled to recollect that there is a God, for they will see his character reflected in ours. I have heard of an atheist who said he could get over every argument except the example of his godly mother: he could never answer that.”
3. Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us : As in all things, Jesus is our example. As He has loved us and has  given Himself for us, we are to display the same kind of self–giving love.
4. An offering and a sacrifice : Jesus’ giving of Himself was obviously a sacrifice pleasing to the Father. We can also offer a pleasing sacrifice ( a sweet-smelling aroma) as we give ourselves in love to others.
5. We often think we could lay down our life in a dramatic way to show our love for others. But God often calls us to lay down our lives little by little – in small coins instead of one large payment – but it is laying down our lives nonetheless. ii. Adam Clarke on  an offering : “An oblation, an eucharistic offering; the same as minchah, Lev 2:1 and following, which is explained to be an offering made unto the Lord, of fine flour, with oil and frankincense. It means, any offering by which gratitude was expressed for temporal blessings received from the bounty of God.”

iii. Adam Clarke on  a sacrifice : “A sin-offering, a victim for sin; the same as zebach, which almost universally means that sacrificial act in which the blood of an animal was poured out as an atonement for sin. These terms may be justly considered as including every kind of sacrifice, offering, and oblation made to God on any account.”

2. (Eph 5:3-4) A contrast to walking in love: conduct not fitting for the Christian. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
3. Let it not even be named among you : Paul groups together these ideas of sexual sin and impropriety, indicating that none of these are  fitting for saints and should not even  be named among God’s people. i. Paul uses a comprehensive list of sexual sins: Fornication (porneia), a broad word describing sexual sin ·  Uncleanness, another broad word for “dirty” moral behavior, especially in a sexual sense ·  Filthiness, which has much the same as  uncleanness ·  Coarse jesting, which has the idea of inappropriate, “dirty” sexual humour. ii. We must notice the theme of the moral appeal. It isn’t “avoid these things so that you can be a saint.” Rather, it is “you are a saint; now live in a manner fitting for a saint.” The constant moral appeal of the New Testament is simply this: be who you are in Jesus. b.  As is fitting for saints : This emphasis on sexual sin was appropriate. The culture of Paul’s day (and in the city of Ephesus especially) was given over to sexual immorality. The sort of behavior Paul says is not  fitting for saints was pretty much completely approved by the culture. It’s just the same way today. c.  Covetousness… foolish talking : Paul also included  covetousness and  foolish talking in this list because of their close association with sexual sin. The desire to have something that doesn’t belong to us and foolish speaking have led many people into sexual sin. But  covetousness and  foolish talking also have relevance beyond their relation to sexual sin . Foolish talking is literally “an easy turn of speech.” In the context, the idea is of the one who can turn every conversation into a joking comment on sexual matters, usually with a double-entendre. d.  But rather giving of thanks : Positively, the Christian is to give  thanks for sex. We receive it thankfully as a gift, and we enjoy sex in a way that glorifies the Giver. i. God’s purpose in giving sex is not primarily for the gratification of the individual, but for the bonding together of husband and wife in a one-flesh relationship. Certain expressions of sexuality are sin not because God wants to deprive some aspect of enjoyment, but because they work against His primary purpose for sex. 3. (Eph 5:5-7) The consequences of conduct not fitting for Christians. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. a.  Has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God : The people mentioned in Eph 5:3 (the  fornicator , the  unclean person and the  covetous man) have no inheritance in God’s kingdom. If God’s kingdom is alive in them, a transformation has occurred so that they cannot rest in the habitual practice of these things. i. Paul’s idea in this passage can be applied out of context in a condemning way. One might say, “Well, I’ve thought about committing fornication, so that means that I have fornicated in my heart and that means that I am as guilty as someone who has actually committed the act of fornication. Since I am as guilty as that one, and they have no inheritance in the kingdom of God, neither do I, because of my thoughts about fornication.” But this is against the plain sense of God’s word. b.  Covetous man, who is an idolater : Significantly, Paul says that the  covetous man is an  idolater. Idolatry happens in much more subtle (and powerful) ways than bowing down before a statue. c.  Let no one deceive you with empty words : We cannot allow  empty words to excuse or minimize the judgment due to the practice of these sins. It is certain that  because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. d.  Therefore do not be partakers with them : Paul assumes that Christians will not have their lives habitually marked by fornication, uncleanness or covetousness. But we should not even occasionally be  partakers with them who are. 4. (Eph 5:8-12) The passing from darkness to light. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. a.  For you were once darkness : As Paul condemned those who practiced fornication, uncleanness or covetousness as the sons of disobedience (Eph 5:6), he also recognized that this was the exact  darkness Christians emerged from. But now, having been enlightened, we are to  walk as children of the light. i. Again, the theme is repeated: you are  children of light, so live like  children of light. ii. Paul doesn’t only say that we were once in darkness. He says we  were once darkness itself. Now, we are not only in the light, we  are light in the Lord. b.  For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth : In contrast to the walk in darkness and wrath is the  fruit of the Spirit, more fully described in Gal 5:22-23.  Goodness, righteousness, and truth should mark us, because we have the Holy Spirit in our life. d.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them : Instead of associating with ungodliness, we expose the  unfruitful works of darkness. However, we do not do this for the purpose of merely talking about them (which is  shameful), but for the purpose of educating ourselves enough to avoid them. i. Christians must guard against a prurient interest in  the works of darkness, even in times of testimony or research. ii. Paul is careful to say that we should avoid the  unfruitful works of darkness, not the people who are in darkness. B. Walking in the light.
4. (Eph 5:13-14) The fact of the light’s presence. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
5. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light : Even the things done  in secret will be exposed. They will be made  manifest by the light of God’s searching judgment. i. This is a reason for avoiding and exposing the unfruitful works of darkness as described in Eph 5:8-12. Since those unfruitful works are destined for exposure and their day will be over, it makes sense for Christians to avoid such unfruitful works. b.  Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead : Our participation in the light is shown by our resurrection with Jesus (He made us alive together with Christ, Eph 2:5). Paul quoted what was probably a “worship chorus” from the early church to illustrate this truth. i. Remember that this exhortation to  awake comes to Christians. A Christian may be asleep and not know it. If you are asleep, you probably do not know it. As soon as you become aware of your sleep, it is evidence that you are now awake. ii. “This sleepiness in the Christian is exceedingly dangerous, too, because he can do a great deal while he is asleep that will make him look as if he were quite awake.”

• We can speak when we are asleep · We can hear when we are asleep · We can walk when we are asleep · We can sing when we are asleep · We can think when we are asleep

iii. “The man who is asleep does not care what becomes of his neighbours; how can he while he is asleep? And oh! some of you Christians do not care whether souls are saved or damned… It is enough for them if they are comfortable. If they can attend a respectable place of worship and go with others to heaven, they are indifferent about everything else.”

2. (Eph 5:15-17) Walking in the light means walking in wisdom. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. a.  See then that you walk circumspectly : Because this light was given to us, we should walk  circumspectly – carefully, wisely,  not as fools. i. Adam Clarke thought that the phrase  not as fools was connected to the practices of devotion to the ancient god Bacchus, worship with drinking and partying. “ Do not become madmen. Here is a most evident allusion to the orgies of Bacchus, in which his votaries acted like madmen; running about, tossing their heads from shoulder to shoulder, appearing to be in every sense completely frantic.”
3. Redeeming the time : There are two ancient Greek words used for  time. One has the idea simply of day upon day and hour upon hour. The other has the idea of a definite portion of time, a time where something should happen. It is the different between time and  the time. The idea here is of  the time; it is a definite season of opportunity that Christians must redeem. This same word is translated opportunity in Gal 6:10.
4. Paul isn’t telling us to make the most of every moment, even though that is good advice. He tells us to seize opportunity for the glory of Jesus. It isn’t to make the most of time, but to make the most of  the time. ii. The idea behind  redeeming the time is that you buy up opportunities like a shrewd businessman. You make the most of every opportunity for Jesus Christ. c.  Because the days are evil : This is another reason why it is important to walk wisely. Jesus spoke of a time when, many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. (Mat 24:11-12) Surely we are in those times,  because the days are eevil. i. In Massachusetts, a 15-year old was accused of murdering a college student during a mugging, then bragging to his two high school-age accomplices that the knife he used went all the way through the body. After the boy’s first appearance before the court, his friends cried – not for the person who had been murdered, but because a high bail had been placed on their friend. Someone asked one of the friends what an appropriate punishment would be for a murderer. “Counseling”, he replied. Another friend, a girl, said, “What’s the big [bleeping] deal? People die all the time.”  The days are evil.
5. Actor River Phoenix collapsed and died outside a fashionable L.A. hot spot, but his death hasn’t slowed down the club scene at all. Cliff Cantor, a co-owner of the club Dragonfly said, “Nothing’s changed. Look around. Nobody’s talking about it. The people who go out and do drugs are doing them… Business as usual. The week started out on a really glum note. But it’s really reassuring to see that people aren’t going to wallow in remorse.” One 20 year-old named Carol said: “People are pretty jaded about the whole thing. I mean, we’re sad, you know? But what are you gonna do?” “Order another drink,” quipped her male companion.  The days are evil. d.  Understand what the will of the Lord is : This is what real wisdom is. It is the contrast to being  unwise. Our main understanding of  the will of the Lord comes from a good knowledge of His word.
6. (Eph 5:18) Walking in the light means constant filling with the Holy Spirit.

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

1. And do not be drunk with wine : In contrast with the conduct of the world (being  drunk with wine), we are to be  filled with the Spirit. Paul’s grammar clearly says, “be constantly being filled with the Holy Spirit.”
2. Be filled with the Spirit : The filling of the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event that we live off of the rest of our days. It is a constant filling, asking to be filled, and receiving the filling by faith.

In our text, the first part of Chapter 5 Paul says Christians are to be children of light and are not to have fellowship with darkness. But as Christians Eph. 5:15 “Be careful how you live.” The KJV says, “Walk circumspectly.” The word can also be translated, “diligently” or “carefully.” We are not to drift through life wandering to and fro. We are to take control and take charge of our life. Romans 12:2 Paul says, “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God.”

J.B. Phillips translates Ephesians 5:15 this way: “Live…not as men who do not know the meaning of life but as those who do.”

From time to time we need to be reminded that our life on earth is brief compared to eternity. Compared to eternity our life is like a speck in the vast universe. An elderly woman wrote a letter to a friend: Dear Bertha: I’m reading more and dusting less, admiring my garden more and fussing less about weeds. I’m spending more time with loved ones and less time working. Since life’s meant to be enjoyed, not endured, I’m no longer postponing the things that add joy and laughter. I’m using my best china to celebrate special events like the first Crocus, or losing a pound. I wear my new jacket to the supermarket and I’m not saving my expensive perfume, I wear it for store clerks and bank tellers! “Someday” no longer figures in my vocabulary. If it’s worth doing…I must do it now!”

How different would you live if you knew you wouldn’t be around tomorrow? Would you hug loved ones more? Contact estranged friends to mend fences? Pursue the opportunities you always talked about? Every morning we should remind ourselves that every minute and every breath we take is a gift from God. Let’s start living as those who know the meaning of life. The Apostle Paul says, don’t let the world around you shape your life. Don’t be conformed or squeezed into taking on the ways of the world. Ephesians 5:16 NLT says, “Live not as fools, but as wise. Make the most of every opportunity by doing good in these evil days.”

As you follow Jesus as His disciple you are careful how you live. A disciple is one who practices spiritual disciplines. Proverbs 10:17, “Whoever practices discipline is on the way to life.” I Timothy 4:7, “Discipline your self for the purpose of godliness.”

As a disciple of Jesus you are developing holy habits of the heart. There are good habits and bad habits. A habit is something we do on a regular basis. A habit becomes second nature. Some habits are easier to accomplish than others. Eating comes fairly easy. The habit of physical exercise is more difficult. I Timothy 4:17, “Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit.”

In order to keep spiritually fit there are some things that must go. You have to get rid of some stuff. You may have to let go of an extra 15-30 minutes of sleep to get up and spend time in reading the Bible and prayer. You may have to let go of some TV programs or say no to things that overload your schedule. Hebrews 12:1, “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress.”

May the Lord bless you and keep you now and forever. Amen!!!

The Rev’d Engr Vincent Ifeanyi Nweke
Nike Diocese