Please the Lord--Walk in the Light

Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him. Don't participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:6-10 NLT

 

Walk in the Light—Live as people of the light. Live what is good, right and true. In the verses prior to this passage above the “these sins” and Paul admonished the church at Ephesus.  Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Ephesians 5:3-5 NLT.

 

As Paul wrote to the Romans… The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Romans 13:12 NLT. Live right. God wants us to follow His commandments, as noted in Psalms… Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in His paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Psalm 119:2-4 NLT. Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live. Psalm 119:144 NLT.  In addition, Solomon wrote in the book of Proverbs… Their(the Proverbs) purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. Proverbs 1:3-6 NLT.

 

Jesus told a rich young man… "Why ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments." Matthew 19:17 NLT. Jesus also spoke about being the light…"I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12 NLT. Follow the light. Like bugs drawn to a porch light or a camper’s lantern, we are drawn to the light of the world…Jesus. We don’t have to walk in the darkness of the world—with its sinful nature. We can follow the light that Jesus provides…living with choices that take us closer to Jesus…by following His commandments. In speaking to the Pharisees He reminded them of the greatest of these…You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments. Matthew 22:37-40 NLT. How does your life measure up to what God wants…what He expects? Are your ways good, right and true?

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit. Draw me close to You that I would keep God’s commandments entirely and live a life that is pleasing to the Lord…a thankful and obedient life filled with insight from Jesus—reflecting His glory.
 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

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