THE FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT WORK within those who LOVE HIM, and LIFT them OVER their worldly self, CAUSING a TRANSFORMATION, in order that the PROCESS of Sanctification, and Consecration now meld with the spirit, which IS the REALITY of our existence IN HIM! We CAN'T do ANYTHING on our own, and yet, we HAVE NEED to rid of certain aspects of our beings, and take on what is *GODLY*; it is a choice which ALLOWS HIS hand to work freely in us, through us, and around us! We begin to DO the Christian walk FOR HIS GLORY, and for the good of others...
We ARE to become imitators of THE LORD CHRIST JESUS, and exist in THE WILL OF THE FATHER, OPEN to RECEIVING HIM, and to HIS works being done in us! We have been lost in the darkness for SO long that it is contrary to all we have previously known, and yet, CRUCIAL to our very soul TO adapt TO HIM!!!
Our very beings, from heart to body should be FULL of THE SPIRIT, rich in LOVE, abundant in expression of PRAISE, WORSHIP, REJOICING, THANKS, GRATITUDE, and PRODUCTIVENESS according TO HIS WILL! Indeed, it IS a PROCESS to which we surrender, KNOWING it IS all beneficial, now, and forever! While we SHALL meet many challenges as we journey, we PRAY, we endure, we persevere, and we KEEP HIM IN our senses, RELYING ON HIM, and TRUSTING HIM in HOPE, and contentment!!!
17+++So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
18+++being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
19+++and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
20+++But you did not learn Christ in this way,
21+++if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
22+++that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
23+++and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24+++and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
The apostle charged the Ephesians in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus, that having professed the gospel, they should not be as the unconverted Gentiles, who walked in vain fancies and carnal affections.
Do not men, on every side, walk in the vanity of their minds? Must not we then urge the distinction between real and nominal Christians? They were void of all saving knowledge; they sat in darkness, and loved it rather than light. They had a dislike and hatred to a life of holiness, which is not only the way of life God requires and approves, and by which we live to him, but which has some likeness to God himself in his purity, righteousness, truth, and goodness.
The truth of Christ appears in its beauty and power, when it appears as in Jesus. The corrupt nature is called a man; like the human body, it is of divers parts, supporting and strengthening one another. Sinful desires are deceitful lusts; they promise men happiness, but render them more miserable; and bring them to destruction, if not subdued and mortified. These therefore must be put off, as an old garment, a filthy garment; they must be subdued and mortified. But it is not enough to shake off corrupt principles; we must have gracious ones. By the new man, is meant the new nature, the new creature, directed by a new principle, even regenerating grace, enabling a man to lead a new life of righteousness and holiness. This is created, or brought forth by God's almighty power.
1+++Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
2+++and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
3+++But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
4+++and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5+++For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6+++Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7+++Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8+++for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
9+++(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10+++trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
11+++Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
12+++for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
13+++But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
14+++For this reason it says,
“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”
15+++Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16+++making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17+++So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you, therefore be ye followers of God, imitators of God. Resemble him especially in his love and pardoning goodness, as becomes those beloved by their heavenly Father. In Christ's sacrifice his love triumphs, and we are to consider it fully.
Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded and detested. Here are not only cautions against gross acts of sin, but against what some may make light of. But these things are so far from being profitable. that they pollute and poison the hearers.
Our cheerfulness should show itself as becomes Christians, in what may tend to God's glory. A covetous man makes a god of his money; places that hope, confidence, and delight, in worldly good, which should be in God only. Those who allow themselves, either in the lusts of the flesh or the love of the world, belong not to the kingdom of grace, nor shall they come to the kingdom of glory.
But the grace of God wrought a mighty change in the souls of many. Walk as children of light, as having knowledge and holiness. These works of darkness are unfruitful, whatever profit they may boast; for they end in the destruction of the impenitent sinner. There are many ways of abetting, or taking part in the sins of others; by commendation, counsel, consent, or concealment. And if we share with others in their sins, we must expect to share in their plagues. If we do not reprove the sins of others, we have fellowship with them. A good man will be ashamed to speak of what many wicked men are not ashamed to do. We must have not only a sight and a knowledge that sin is sin, and in some measure shameful, but see it as a breach of God's holy law. After the example of prophets and apostles, we should call on those asleep and dead in sin, to awake and arise, that Christ may give them light.
Another remedy against sin, is care, or caution, it being impossible else to maintain purity of heart and life.
Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must double our diligence for the future. Of that time which thousands on a dying bed would gladly redeem at the price of the whole world, how little do men think, and to what trifles they daily sacrifice it! People are very apt to complain of bad times; it were well if that stirred them more to redeem time. Be not unwise. Ignorance of our duty, and neglect of our souls, show the greatest folly.
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