Bible Chapter: Ephesians 5

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Imitate God.  Live a life of love in the same way that Jesus loved us and gave Himself for us.  This is a life of sacrifice.  This is the life God expects His followers to live.
    There must not even be a hint – not even the slightest evidence – of immorality or impurity or greed in the lives of believers.  Another place in the Bible says we are to be holy because God is holy.  God is looking for a holy people.  Some think it doesn’t matter, but this passage goes on to say that no person practicing these things has any inheritance in God’s kingdom.  God’s wrath goes against the disobedient, so believers are warned to not be partners with them.  The darkness of sinful practice is in the past.  Now, those who claim Jesus are living in the light.
    This chapter also gives guidelines for the family.  God designed the family to have order and structure.  He made the family to be strong so that society is strong.  When the family falls apart, when people try to make it something God never intended it to be, society crumbles.  The structure God gave does not allow for anyone to be demanding and overbearing.  Each person in a family is to submit to the others in love and allow each one to do what God has called them to do.  A very strong verse to husbands – love your wife the way Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her.  That one issue would settle the majority of problems families have.  Husband, love your wife.  Wife, respect your husband.  We could shut down the divorce courts.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I am reminded of an old song written by James Rowe titled: I WOULD BE LIKE JESUS.  Some of the words are:
    Earthly pleasures vainly call me; I would be like Jesus;
Nothing worldly shall enthrall me; I would be like Jesus.
    Be like Jesus, this my song, In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long! I would be like Jesus.
    This is a challenging message.  The pleasures of the earth shout to come and participate.  The more I desire to be like Jesus, the less I hear their siren call.  The desire to be like Jesus at home and in public, all day long, will make me what I must be.   With the DESIRE to be like Jesus it is not a problem to strive to be more like Him.
    I am also commanded to love my wife.  As of this writing it has been forty one years.  It is not a problem to love her, I want to.  Some men put the emphasis on being the head of the home.  Then they have problems.  If they put the emphasis on loving the wife, the headship will fall into place.

3.  How can I help someone?
    It is a continuous challenge to live a life imitating God.  There are too many interruptions and frustrations that want to get in the way.  I have a choice to make.  I can either give it my all to live like Him and continue to grow, or I can give up and quit showing others the way.  I make the choice to NOT give up but pursue.  This will help people see it can be done.