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Ephesians 5:25 – Sacrificial Love

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Will

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

Truth to Learn

Husbands are to sacrifice for their wives.

Behind the Words

The word translated “love” is agapaō, which refers to “good will” or “benevolence,” that is, acts of goodness toward someone else. There is another verb translated “love” in the New Testament. It is phileō, referring to a “brotherly love” or “fondness” as expressed between good friends. It is based on feelings. Agapaō, on the other hand, indicates a love in action, not just feelings or emotion. It implies action which is directed toward the benefit of the beloved, even at the expense of personal sacrifice on the part of the loving one. Therefore, agapaō is often referred to as “a self-sacrificing love.” It is expressed in today’s verse in the imperative mood, indicating a command to husbands, not simply a suggestion.

“Gave” is translated from paradidōmi, which is made up of para, meaning “to the side of” and didōmi, meaning “to give.” Thus, paradidōmi literally means “to give to the side of.” The picture is that of someone surrendering something to someone else. The word is expressed here in the aorist tense, indicative mood. This implies action that was performed at a point in time in the past (not a continuous action, but a single act).

Meaning Explained

Having established the order of authority within a marriage relationship and the responsibility of a wife, Paul now talks about the husband’s position in a marriage. Wherever authority is given, there is also responsibility. This is especially true here where the Apostle commands all husbands to love their wives. As we pointed out in Behind the Words, this love that a husband is to have for his wife is not just a feeling, it is action. Men are commanded to be more concerned about the wellbeing of their wives than their own wellbeing. They are to sacrifice themselves for their wives.

In the previous two verses, Paul gave women an example of submission, that of the church’s submission to Christ as the head of the church. He now uses this same relationship between Jesus Christ and His church as an example of how husbands are to love their wives. Jesus Christ loves the church so much that He offered himself on the cross. He literally sacrificed His own life for the good of the church. Men, this is the type of love that we are to demonstrate for our wives.

It is interesting to note that women are never commanded to love their husbands with an agapē love. In Titus 2:4 we find that older women in the church are to teach younger women to love their husbands. However, the word translated “love” in that verse is not agapaō, but phileō, an affectionate love.

One of the things that Paul is telling us men is that if we demonstrate true self-sacrificing love for our wives, constantly doing those things which demonstrate care, protection, and goodness for her, she will want to place herself under our authority. Doing so will not be a burden, but a joy to her.

Application

Men, the next time you have an argument with your wife, remember that God commands you to sacrifice your own wellbeing for hers. Therefore, making reconciliation is up to you. Love her like Christ loves us!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:24 – A Submissive Witness

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Will

Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Truth to Learn

Submission is part of what it means to be a Christian.

Behind the Words

The words “just as” are translated from the Greek word hōsper, which is made up of hōs, meaning “as” and per, meaning “much.” Thus, hōsper literally means “as much as,” that is, “in the same way as.”

“So” is from houtō, meaning “in this way” or “in this manner.” As in this verse, it is often coupled with hōsper to form a similitude between two ideas.

The verb “is subject to” is translated from hupotassō, which we saw a couple verses back means “to be under-ranked” or “to be in submission to.”

Meaning Explained

Throughout this chapter Paul has been talking about how we are to behave within the body of Christ. In verse twenty-two he changed his focus from our behavior within the church to our behavior within the family. First of all, he said that a wife is to submit to her husband; that is, she is to voluntarily place herself under the authority of her husband. In yesterday’s verse he told us that this is necessary because God designed the family structure with the man as the head, just as he designed the church with Christ as the head.

He now reiterates that point by saying that just as the church is ranked under Christ, so a wife is to be ranked under her husband. Nobody in the church would ever presume to place themself above Christ, so a woman should not presume to place herself above her husband in God’s plan. Now, let me say again that this does not mean that a woman is any less important within the family or within the church.

“But, what if my husband is not a Christian?” you might ask. The answer is that it doesn’t make any difference. In fact, a Christian woman has a greater responsibility if her husband is unsaved. Paul told the Corinthians that a submissive woman might even be the tool that God uses to bring her husband to faith:

For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? (1Corinthians 7:16a)

The Apostle Peter also wrote about how important it is for Christians to be submissive to authorities, even non-Christian civil authorities. He, too, commanded women to submit to their husbands, even those who aren’t Christian men:

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. (1Peter 3:1-2)

Application

God wants us all to be obedient servants and He will use those who are submitted to Him. Women, your position is extremely important within the family. It is especially so if others in your family are not saved. Your behavior may be what God uses to reach your family. If you have committed your life to Christ, then you have committed to being His obedient, faithful servant. Some day you may see how God has used you if you are faithful to Him. And God will get all the glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:23 – God Honoring Submission

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Will

For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body

Truth to Learn

Submission is part of God’s plan and it honors Him.

Behind the Words

“Head” is translated from kephalē, which means “the uppermost part of something” or “the head.” Thus, it is used both literally and figuratively to refer to the head of something.

The word “Christ” is from the Greek word christos, which is derived from chriō, meaning “to anoint.” In the Old Testament, a prophet or high priest anointed a person with oil as a symbol that the person was chosen by God for a specific purpose. The Jews believe that the anointed one (Hebrew Mashiach or Messiah) is God’s chosen redeemer who will come to rescue the Jews. Christos is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew title Mashiach.

The word translated “church” is ekklesia, which is a compound word made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of” and a form of kaleō, meaning “to call.” Thus, this term refers to “the called-out ones.” Originally, this term was applied to any group of people called out to a public assembly. The Jewish equivalent of ekklesia is sunagogē (those who are gathered together). Since the church was often considered a sect of Judaism, a church body was initially referred to as an episunagogē. However, wanting to distinguish themselves from the members of the Jewish faith, early Christians referred to their assembly as ekklesia.

Meaning Explained

Yesterday’s verse introduced a topic that many Christian women today find troubling. They think that it is demeaning to expect a woman to submit to her husband. There are two important things to remember in this discussion, however. The first is that Christianity was directly responsible for raising up the position of women from that of a man’s possession to that of a man’s partner. The second thing to remember is that God expects more from a man because he is head of the family unit. “But, it’s not fair that it is always the woman who has to submit to the man,” you might say. However, it is no more unfair than that Jesus Christ, who is completely God, always has to submit to the will of the Father and that the Holy Spirit always has to submit to the will of the Father and the Son. It is the way that God determined it to be.

In today’s verse Paul tells us that the reason that a wife is to voluntarily submit to her husband is because God designed the marriage relationship with the man as the head. It is God’s plan that a man be the head of the family just as it is His plan that Christ is head of the church. The church, also called “the body of Christ,” is elsewhere referred to as “the bride of the Lamb”:

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7)

So the picture of the church submitting to Christ is the same as the wife submitting to her husband.

Application

Ladies, your act of submission to your husband is not demeaning, it is God honoring! Submitting to your husband is an act of obedience to God and He will bless you for it.

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:22 – Sometimes It’s Difficult

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Will

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Truth to Learn

God has a perfect plan for the marriage relationship.

Behind the Words

The word translated “wives” is gunē, which means “a woman.” It also is used throughout the New Testament to indicate a woman who is engaged to, or married to, a man. This is the word used in referring to “the bride (woman) of the Lamb of God” (see Revelation 19:7; 21:9).

“Submit” is translated from hupotassō, which we encountered in yesterday’s verse, meaning “to under-rank oneself.” It is expressed here in the middle voice, indicating something done by the subject (wives) to the subject (wives).

The words “your own” are from idios, indicating something that is private and personal (as opposed to public or common).

“Husbands” is from the Greek word anēr, which specifically refers to “an adult male person;” that is “a man.” It is also used throughout the New Testament to mean “a husband.”

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is one which causes a lot of women to bristle, particularly in this post-modern world of feminism. It has been misinterpreted and often misapplied, so let’s see what it does say and what it doesn’t say.

Paul started out this chapter commanding us to be “imitators of God” and to “walk in love.” Then, throughout this chapter he has given us teaching on how to do that and how to behave within the body of Christ, teaching us what to do and what to avoid. In verse eighteen he said to avoid getting drunk, but to be filled with the Spirit. As we are Spirit-filled, we will exhibit three evidences of that filling: singing praise to God, being thankful, and submitting to one another within the church.

He now takes the remainder of this chapter to talk about the relationship between a husband and a wife. Since he has just been talking about submission, he starts off with this subject. He says that wives are to “under-rank themselves with respect to their husbands.” He is not saying that a husband is any better or more important than his wife. He is not saying that a woman is to be her husband’s submissive slave. He is simply stating that in God’s plan for mankind there is an order of authority. This is another area of life where our sin nature and the world system fight against what God says is right.

Paul’s teaching on submission within the family is not conditional, it is absolute. And, it is something that a wife does to herself; it is not something done to her. Abuse within a marriage, whether physical or emotional, is contrary to God’s design. Anyone in such a relationship needs to seek out a counselor with appropriate social and spiritual training.

Also, note that Paul says wives are to submit to “their own husbands.” He is not saying that all women are to submit to all men. This voluntary act of submission is part of the private, personal relationship that a man and woman have.

Since this is such a potentially contentious teaching, Paul will spend several verses explaining it, along with a command regarding how husbands are to treat their wives.

Application

For some women, submitting to their husband is easy, for others it is very difficult. If you find it hard to do, prayerfully lay it before the Lord and He will guide you in love.

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:21 – The Spirit of Submission

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Will

submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Truth to Learn

The Spirit-filled Christian is humble and subservient.

Behind the Words

The word translated “submitting” is translated from the Greek verb hupotassō. This word is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and tassō, which means “to arrange in an orderly manner.” It is a military term that means to voluntarily place oneself in a position beneath the authority of someone else, that is, “to under-rank oneself.”

“One another” is the plural reciprocal pronoun allelōn, meaning “each other” or “one another.” It is never used as the subject of a sentence and only appears in the plural. As used in this verse, it means “for one another” or “to one another.”

Phobos is the word translated “fear.” This word is used to express many nuances of fear including: terror, general fear, reverence, respect, or honor.

Meaning Explained

In the previous two verses, Paul has given us two evidences of being Spirit-filled: singing God’s praises and being thankful always for everything. In today’s verse he is identifying a third evidence of being filled with the Spirit of God, that of voluntarily submitting ourselves to others within the church.

Of the three evidences of Spirit-filled living that Paul gives us, this one is by far the most difficult. Both our sin nature and the world system that surrounds us would have us exalt ourselves. Therefore, our natural inclination and our conditioning cause us to want preeminence, not subservience. Fortunately we have a perfect example of what God expects.

On the day that our Lord Jesus was betrayed, before He introduced his disciples to the memorial we call communion, his followers had an argument among themselves regarding who would be greatest in the kingdom. They were focused on preeminence and power. They were focused on themselves. In response to this argument, Jesus removed his outer garment and, kneeling down before each one of His disciples, He washed their feet. This was not the responsibility of the master, but the submissive act of a servant. Jesus, God in the flesh, gave this example of submission to them, and to us, to show the importance of submitting to one another.

In his letter to the Christians in the church at Rome, Paul said:

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; (Romans 12:10)

And, in his letter to the Philippians, Paul said:

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (Philippians 2:3)

Only a short time after washing His disciples’ feet, knowing the torture that was to come, Jesus also submitted to the Father saying, “Not my will, but yours be done.”

Application

When we are filled with the Spirit of God, our actions will be controlled by Him. We will give praise and thanks to God, and we will willingly place the good of others above our own.

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:20 – Thankful for Everything

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Will

giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Truth to Learn

Thankfulness is an indication of Spirit-filling.

Behind the Words

“Giving thanks” is translated from the Greek word eucharisteō. This word is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to give” or “to be gracious.” Eucharisteō means “to give thanks.” Because of the derivation of this word, when we give thanks at a meal it is known as “saying grace.”

Pantote is the word translated “always.” It is composed of a form of pas, meaning “all” or “every” and a form of hote, which is an adverb of time. Thus, pantote literally means “at all times” or “always.”

The words “all things” are from the Greek word pas, which we just learned means “all” or “every.” In the form that is used here it means “all things” or “everything.”

Meaning Explained

Paul is giving examples of what happens when a person is “filled with the Spirit.” The first example was given in yesterday’s verse:

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

In today’s verse he gives the second evidence, “giving thanks always for all things.” When we are filled with the Spirit we are thankful, not just one day a year on Thanksgiving Day, but at all times. Now, here’s the hard part of Paul’s teaching in this verse – when we are filled with the Spirit we are thankful “for all things.” Notice, he did not say, “for all good and pleasant things,” or “for all the things that make us feel good.” He said, “for all things.”

Being Spirit-filled makes us thankful for everything that God brings into our lives. Paul taught the same thing about thanksgiving in his first letter to the church at Thessalonica:

pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1Thessalonians 5:17-18)

And his teaching to the Philippian Christians was similar:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6)

So – being Spirit-filled causes us to be truly thankful for even the bad things that happen to us: thankful for heartache and pain, thankful for injury or disease, thankful for the loss of a loved one, thankful for persecution, thankful for being made the way we are, thankful for being too short, thankful for being too tall, thankful for being too skinny, thankful for being too fat, thankful for a mean boss, thankful for …

Finally, notice that we are to give thanks to the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are not instructed to thank Jesus. We are to thank the Father in Jesus’ name.

Application

What are you thankful for? Careful, that’s a trick question. If we allow ourselves to be filled with the Spirit, then we will be thankful for ALL things at ALL times!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:19 – Sing to God!

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Will

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

Truth to Learn

Singing God’s praise is a sign of being filled with the Spirit.

Behind the Words

“Speaking” is from the Greek word laleō, meaning “to utter words,” that is, “to talk” or “to speak.”

The word “psalms” is transliterated from psalmos, derived from the verb psallō, meaning “to sing.” The words “making melody” later in this verse are translated from psallō. Originally, psallō referred to the touching or plucking of a stringed instrument. Later it referred to the singing of a song accompanied by a musical instrument. A psalm tells a story of man’s deliverance or tells of God’s mercy to us.

The word “hymns” is transliterated from the Greek word humnos (hymnos), which is a declaration of praise regarding God’s greatness. According to the church father Augustine, a hymn had three characteristics: it was sung, it was praise, it was sung to God.

The words “spiritual songs” are translated from two words, pneumatikos and odē. Pneumatikos, derived from pneuma, meaning a spirit, refers to that which pertains to the spiritual world. Odē is the Greek word translated “songs.” Derived from the verb adō, it is a general term for a song.

“Singing” is from the Greek word adō. Throughout the Bible this word refers specifically to singing praises to God.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul commanded us not to be drunk with wine, allowing it to control our thoughts and actions. Instead he said, be filled with the Spirit of God, allowing Him to control our thoughts and actions.

Now you may ask, “How do I know when I am filled with the Spirit?” The Apostle answers that question with three different forms of evidence. The first is in today’s verse and the others are described in the following two verses. The first evidence of being Spirit filled is “singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” When a person is filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit, he or she cannot help himself or herself. The Spirit within us will break out in song. This singing will usually be accompanied by musical instruments, and it will be songs of praise to God for who He is and for what He has done. These songs will be “spiritual songs” because they are the result of the Spirit of God bursting out through our voices.

What you may not realize is that the only singing that many early Christians heard before coming to Christ was singing that accompanied drunkenness and idolatry. It’s interesting to note that Paul says that these songs were a form of “speaking to one another.” The Greek actually says “speaking to yourselves.” These were messages of praise and encouragement that church members sang to church members.

Application

When we realize what God has done for us, we are filled with joy. That joy is often expressed in the form of singing. How wonderful it is to join together with our brothers and sisters each week, lifting our voices up in song. So, be filled with the Spirit and lift up your heart with songs of praise to God!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:18 – Spirit Filled Living

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Will

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

Truth to Learn

Be filled with the Spirit, not with yourself.

Behind the Words

“Drunk” is translated from the Greek verb methuskō, which is derived from methu (or methy), a fermented, alcoholic wine. Methuskō represents a state of intoxication greater than oinōsis (being under the influence of wine).

Oinos is the Greek word translated “wine.” It is a generic term for wine. The same word refers to “new wine,” also called “the fruit of the vine,” (which we would call grape juice) as well as fermented wine containing alcohol.

The word “dissipation” is translated from asōtia, which is composed of the privative a, meaning “not” and a form of the verb sōdzō, meaning “to save.” Thus, asōtia literally means “unsavedness,” that is, “acting unsafe.” This word is used to describe someone who freely indulges himself in his own appetites and lusts, that is, a prodigal.

“Be filled” is from the Greek verb plēroō, which means “to fill up until no more can be added.”

Meaning Explained

Here is another example of Pauline style teaching (don’t do one thing, do something else instead). He says, “Instead of filling yourself up with wine, causing yourself to become drunk, be completely filled-up with the Spirit.”

There are two commands given in this verse: “don’t get drunk” and “be Spirit filled.” However, there is some ambiguity in the grammatical structure of this verse. The reason for this ambiguity is the fact that the verb form that indicates passive voice, imperative mood (allow someone or something to do something to you) is identical to that which indicates middle voice, imperative mood (do something to yourself). The only way to determine which is correct is by context. I believe the proper interpretation is “don’t cause yourself to become drunk with wine; allow yourself to be filled with (or by) the Spirit.”

Paul’s reason for not getting drunk is that drunkenness leads to “unsavedness.” He is not saying that when you get drunk you lose your salvation. What he is saying is that when you get drunk, you act unsaved (and unsafe). We’ve all seen people who are drunk, and we all know what happens when someone who is drunk gets behind the wheel of a car. Remember in verse fifteen Paul said not to walk as unwise people, but as wise people. And in verse eleven he said to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Wise people don’t get drunk, and drunkenness doesn’t produce spiritual fruit.

Instead of being under the influence of alcohol and letting alcohol control our actions, we need to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and we need to let the Spirit control our actions.

Application

Anything that distracts us from submissive fellowship with God leaves less room for the Holy Spirit. It could be alcohol, drugs, lying, stealing, cheating, selfishness, anger, or many other things. These are all indications of being filled with self. But, when we submit ourselves to God and focus on the good of others, God’s Spirit will fill us. What are you filled with?

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:17 – God’s Will?

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Will

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Truth to Learn

Christians need to understand God’s will.

Behind the Words

“Be” is translated from ginomai, which primarily means “to begin to be” or “to become.” It implies a change of state from one condition to another.

Aphrōn is the Greek word translated “unwise.” It is made up of the negative particle a and a form of phrēn, meaning “understanding.” Thus, the word aphrōn literally means “without understanding.” It is variously translated as “unwise, foolish, mindless, ignorant, or stupid.”

The word “understand” is from the Greek verb suniēmi, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and hiēmi, meaning “to send.” The root meaning of suniēmi, therefore, is “to put together,” that is “to understand or comprehend.”

“Will” is translated from thelēma, which is derived from the verb thelō, meaning “to will,” “to purpose,” or “to determine.” There is another word translated “will” in the New Testament. It is boulomai, meaning “to be disposed or to intend.” It does not indicate that action is taken regarding the decision, whereas thelēma is resolved and is acted upon. God’s will is almost always referred to as thelēma, because He always does that which He determines. Man’s will, however, is expressed in the New Testament as boulēma. Thus, we can think of thelēma as determined will and boulēma as desirous will.

Meaning Explained

We are to be imitators of God, loving others as Christ loved us. We are to avoid the unfruitful works of darkness, forsaking any close fellowship with others who do such things. We are to allow the light of God to shine through us. We are not to allow the comforts of this world and the allure of sin to lull us to sleep. Instead we are to wake up, getting up from among those around us who are spiritually dead and taking a good look at the way we are living our lives. We shouldn’t live like those who are ignorant of God. Instead, we should make the most of every day because the world is full of evil.

Therefore – we should not be ignorant of God’s will for our lives. Instead, we should learn what God’s will is. How can we know what God’s will is for our lives? Paul told the Christians in Rome to do several things to know God’s will:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

We need to offer our bodies (our lives) on God’s altar, allowing Him to use us however He wants. We need to resist conformity to the world around us. We need to be mentally transformed by consistently reading and studying His word. If we do these things, then we will know God’s will for our lives.

Application

Knowing what God wants from us takes a lot of commitment and dedication. If Jesus was willing to learn and do God’s will, how can we do any less?

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:16 – Time and Eternity

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Will

redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Truth to Learn

You only have one life. Live it with eternity in view.

Behind the Words

The word “redeeming” is translated from the Greek word exagoradzō, which is made up of ex, meaning “out of” and agoradzō meaning “to buy” (the marketplace of the first century was called the agora). Hence, exagoradzō, literally means “to buy and take out of the marketplace.” Figuratively it refers to “rescuing something from loss.” This is the sense in which Paul uses it in today’s verse.

“Time” is from kairos, for which there really is no English equivalent. A different Greek word, chronos, refers to a space of time, that is, a succession of minutes. Kairos, on the other hand, can refer to “an occasion or opportunity,” or it can refer to an indefinite period of time, “a season.” As used here, it probably refers to “the lifetime that we are currently living.”

“Evil” is translated from ponēros, which is derived from ponos, referring to “sorrow, pain, or hard labor.” Ponēros properly refers to the influence or the effect of that which is bad. A different Greek word, kakos, refers to “that which is inherently bad.”

Meaning Explained

In order to fully understand today’s verse, we have to combine it with yesterday’s:

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Yesterday we learned the word “circumspectly” probably should have been translated as “carefully.” And, though we didn’t touch on it yesterday, the word “fools” is really “unwise ones.” So, we are to keep an eye on our own behavior, being careful to live in God’s light, loving those around us and behaving as God would have us behave.

Throughout his writings, Paul gives us a lot of things that we shouldn’t do and even more things that we should do. Some Christians will grasp hold of one or two things he says and cling to those ideas almost to the exclusion of all the others. The result is often a “splinter denomination” that doesn’t further the cause of Christ. Other Christians are so ignorant of what the New Testament teaches that they are easily swayed by beautiful sounding sermons that are not based on Biblical truth. Paul says we should not live like such unwise people, but as wise Christians, those who know God’s truths and who have learned how to properly apply what they have learned.

Why is it so important for us to live our Christian lives carefully and with wisdom? Because we live in an evil time! The influence of the world system under Satan’s leadership is not godly, it is evil. Without the light of Christ, this world will not get better, it will only get worse. So, rescue every minute you have in this life. Don’t let your life slip away filled with evil actions or indifference. Use every minute you have to live the kind of life that glorifies God.

Application

Our life on this earth is short. We can live it focusing on self and appear before the Judgment seat of Christ empty handed. Or – we can totally give ourselves over to God, so that He will receive all the glory. If we do the latter, we will receive crowns that we can cast at His feet with gratitude.

In God's service, for His glory,