Obedience and Discipline

Wake up!

4 min read, approximately

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye did not so learn Christ; if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need. Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:17-30)

Therefore: ‘… I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all humility and gentleness, bearing with one another patiently in love, diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope in your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says: When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts to people. Now what does “he ascended” mean, except that he had first descended to the lower parts of the earth? The one who descended is the same one who also ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things.’ (Ephesians 4:1-10) The questions are: How much of Jesus is there in our lives (2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 5:1)? Have we looked within our lives to ask the Holy Spirit how he is doing and whether he feels welcome there (Ephesians 5:18)? Let us remember that:

“… ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord; and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of. But all things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light: for everything that is made manifest is light. Wherefore [he] saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.” (Ephesians 5:8-14)

Are we convinced that the Lord says of us:

“And there was a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 13:17)

? I hope that:

“… the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, [even] our Lord Jesus, make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] the glory for ever and ever. Amen. But I exhort you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation: for I have written unto you in few words.” (Hebrews 13:20-22)

May God continue to bless you
and may you keep having an excellent day in Christ Jesus!
I invite you to explore the Songbook