The Better Way!
We are looking further into Ephesians 5 and the meat in this chapter is weighty:
6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments [that encourage you to sin], for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience [those who habitually sin]. 7 So do not participate or even associate with them [in the rebelliousness of sin]. 8 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light] 9 (for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him—your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation]. 11 Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character]; 12 for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret. Ephesians 56-12 (AMP)
This particular passage clearly deflates the lies of those in contemporary circles who seek to water down the expectations of our Lord. As the Apostle John says: "He who commits sin (habitually) is of the devil!).(1 John 3:8) Christ has not only redeemed us from the curse of the law, but through His resurrection has enabled us to have power to overcome sin!
Once we lived in darkness and did not know any better. That is not true today. Jesus Christ IS the light of the world and that light casts shadows on our deeds, whether they are good or whether they are not. Even as a toddler learns to know what is the right thing to do, we learn by experience those things that are pleasing to the Lord. God makes it plain, He does not leave us floundering around aimlessly wondering if we are doing the right thing. He gently and consistently places us on a pathway of righteousness where our behavior changes from self-motivated tirades to please ourselves, to living a life that not only exemplifies integrity, courage and character, but grieves and laments when those things occur in others. Our appetite changes, no longer being able to accept the status quo, instead we strive for a better way!
Maria