This chapter is probably my favorite in Ephesians. THere are a couple of key verses that are my favorites and the teachings in this get me all happy and fired up!
The first part of chapter 5 challenges me greatly and has ever since I was in junior high. Every teen struggles with sexual impurity and is usually the greatest battle in high school. These first 1-14 helped me understand how God wanted me to view sexual impurity and that it is a strong sin - evil. "No immoral, impure or greedy person - such a man is an idolater - has any inheritance in the kindgom of Christ and of God."
and verse 3 is a huge struggle to obtain, but I know that it is possible. But we as men have to stop trying to accomplish this on our own, and thats why small groups (if taken seriously and honestly) are so important.
Then one of my favorite verses that the Bible has given me - vs 15,16.
"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. " Soooooo good!
Then the next little bit about Wives and Husbands. This part is incredible for me as a young man looking to get married in the next little bit (5-10years haha)...anyways, it is still so inspiring and excellent the way that they describe marriage and how a man must treat his wife. I dont look at this as a man power speech, but rather focusing on how the relationship of marriage is very much respect and honor towards the spouse. I very much look forward to loving my wife this way and she loving me this way. And for you two married men, Im sure this verse is one of encouragement and mentoring.
Love chapter 5!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
check this out!
guys, my homepage is nationalgeographic.com and a couple of days ago they had this video of some guy that made an oath with God and he crucifies himself on the cross once a year. Annually on easter. Its somewhere in the middle east if I rememeber correctly.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/070405-jesus-video.html
Watch this video and tell me what you think...it seems a little extreme to me. I could be wrong though.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/070405-jesus-video.html
Watch this video and tell me what you think...it seems a little extreme to me. I could be wrong though.
Ephesians 4
One God, One body
It feels pretty sweet to be able to claim, I am part of the body of Christ. Every human being desires to be part of something, a team, a clique, some sort of group that provides support and confidence. In a running club, everyone trains together, everyone warms up together, but as soon as the day of the race comes, the team that is on your t-shirt means nothing, it is now 100% individual.
THe body of Christ cannot be like that, but tends to always shoot down that road. I even found the competition for "better" or "truer" faith to be something that happened constantly. Not with everyone, but it became something that people wouldnt notice until it became blatant and a serious reality check was needed. I find myself doing much the same as the runner example. We gather on sundays, bible studies, etc. for all of the training, and then as soon as we leave that time, we are 100% individual. It shouldnt be like that, everyone excels differently, and faith is something that to a certain extent is individual. Such as, some are charasmatic, and others stiff as a board. Yet their faith resides in the Lord, and he is their savior. Some desire extreme theological knowledge and have BA's and masters like no ones business, and others have read the bible straight up and have found God to be very real with a simple faith. Either way, faith in the Lord is the same, one father, one body.
The runners maybe dont need to run together in race, but rather have headsets/radios so they can cheer each other on. Coaching one another not to give up, but to finish the race and utilize all the times they trained as a team.
So often I wish I was not so individualistic about my faith, and would be able to phone a friend up, or one of you guys and ask for prayer. Use what I learned/trained, and understand that we are a body and should work as one. It helps my faith, your faith, and strengthens the ability to do the task at hand, whatever that may be.
Chapter 4 is a great chapter on understanding the body of Christ and also living Christ like, I really enjoyed chapter four.
"Be kind and compassionate to one antoher, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
It feels pretty sweet to be able to claim, I am part of the body of Christ. Every human being desires to be part of something, a team, a clique, some sort of group that provides support and confidence. In a running club, everyone trains together, everyone warms up together, but as soon as the day of the race comes, the team that is on your t-shirt means nothing, it is now 100% individual.
THe body of Christ cannot be like that, but tends to always shoot down that road. I even found the competition for "better" or "truer" faith to be something that happened constantly. Not with everyone, but it became something that people wouldnt notice until it became blatant and a serious reality check was needed. I find myself doing much the same as the runner example. We gather on sundays, bible studies, etc. for all of the training, and then as soon as we leave that time, we are 100% individual. It shouldnt be like that, everyone excels differently, and faith is something that to a certain extent is individual. Such as, some are charasmatic, and others stiff as a board. Yet their faith resides in the Lord, and he is their savior. Some desire extreme theological knowledge and have BA's and masters like no ones business, and others have read the bible straight up and have found God to be very real with a simple faith. Either way, faith in the Lord is the same, one father, one body.
The runners maybe dont need to run together in race, but rather have headsets/radios so they can cheer each other on. Coaching one another not to give up, but to finish the race and utilize all the times they trained as a team.
So often I wish I was not so individualistic about my faith, and would be able to phone a friend up, or one of you guys and ask for prayer. Use what I learned/trained, and understand that we are a body and should work as one. It helps my faith, your faith, and strengthens the ability to do the task at hand, whatever that may be.
Chapter 4 is a great chapter on understanding the body of Christ and also living Christ like, I really enjoyed chapter four.
"Be kind and compassionate to one antoher, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)