Walking the Talk - 16 March

I pray that you have been honest with yourself and up-front with God regarding the sins we discussed on Wednesday. It was quite an emotional day! The Bible is a book of both “do-not” and “do”, offering guidance AND hope. Today we see some of that hope!

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved. Eph 2:1-5 (ESV)

Our sins, as we’ve seen, have made us dead. When we follow any path not clearly marked by God, we follow the world (and Satan). The world has many enticing and exciting things, but our eyes should not focus on a few minutes’ gratification. We should focus on the fact that Christ died to save us, and when we accept Him, turn from our sin and walk in His way, we are walking a path toward heaven!

One more passage to close our study this week:

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Eph 5:6-21 (KJV)

God gives us a blueprint for our walk. He wants us to listen to His Word and not the words of men. We are to  do what is acceptable to God, to walk circumspectly (carefully considering the consequences of your actions), speaking wisely, rejoicing in the Lord, submitting ourselves to godly authority. It’s a guaranteed recipe for success! When we fail, slip, and displease God, we have His promise of forgiveness through Christ.

Do you walk your talk? Ask God to help you with any area that needs change. He can show you the steps you need to take.

One more week of this study – then we will be on to “The Heart of True Faith” as we examine Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 22:37-40. May God bless you as you study His Word! See you Monday.