The Place to Be #21

 

Ephesians 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Yesterday, we looked at the ways the Satan seeks to tear down the Body of Christ through bad attitudes, hurtful words, and the deception of sin.  This next paragraph gives us all sorts of ways we can have a positive influence on the atmosphere and strength of the Church.  We need to live with our eyes and hearts wide open, looking both for ways we are attacked and ways we can do something that blesses each other. Through the power, wisdom, and prompting of the Holy Spirit we need to speak and sign truth to one another, check to make sure we have a positive spirit of gratitude, and put one another's needs above our own.  This is all done "out of reverence for Christ," remembering what He has done for us and that His goal and plan is for us to be one in Him.  It means watching our words, weighing our actions, and wanting at all costs to glorify Him.  When that is our aim, we will find ourselves contributing to a culture of unity.