“You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket, instead a lamp is placed on a stand where it gives light for everyone in the house to see. In the same way let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father.”
Matthew 5:14-16 “So live no longer as the Gentiles (today this would be unbelievers) do for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness and they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for less for pleasures and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.” Ephesians 4:17-19 We should not be surprised to see a rise in socialized media and entertainment and their lies, nor should we be surprised by the rise in child sacrifice and in teenage suicides. We should not be surprised by the rise in psychological distress, bitterness, strife and resentment. We should not be surprised by God being taken out of our schools and the government, nor should we be surprised by the rise in divorce, the breakdown of the family or the changing definition of it. We should not be surprised by the sexual immorality, promiscuity, homosexuality, pornography, adultery in marriage or obscene fornication - for it's a natural extension of our unfaithfulness - spiritual adultery in the flesh. All is it is our lustful heart doing what it wants instead of remaining loyal and keeping in step with the Word of God. But thank God, even though we are unfaithful, God is faithful, and He is always waiting and willing to forgive us. This is why God sent his Son to pour out his blood as the final sacrifice for us. He gives us an opportunity to remove our deadness, and put on the garment of His righteousness. With purity in heart we can be made whole again. And it's through His glory that He brings His Kingdom of Heaven to earth. Ephesians 4:20 to 24 says, “Since you have learned the truth that comes from Jesus - throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, the Spirit of God renews your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature created to be like God truly righteous and holy.” The apostle Paul goes on to say that we must trust and obey; that we must tell our neighbors the truth in love, for we are part of the same body. He says to stop letting our anger control us so that we stop giving a foothold to the devil. He encourages us not to use foul and abusive language, but to let everything we say be good and helpful. “Imitate God in everything you do because you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 “Obscene stories, foolish talk and course jokes - these are not for you instead let there be thankfulness to God.” Ephesians 5:4 This means to say goodbye to sarcasm and condescension and replace it with speaking the gospel of Christ. “For once we were full of darkness but now we have light from the Lord so live is people at the light - for this light within you produce is only what is good and right and true.” Ephesians 5:8 “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” Ephesians 5:16-17 “For we are to take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness instead we are to EXPOSE them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do IN SECRET, but the evil intentions will be exposed WHEN the light shines on them - for the light makes everything visible. That is why it is said, “Awake O Sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:11-14
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