Be Careful How You Live

Jesus Is Lord
Victory in Jesus
Live in the Light

Ephesians 5:15-20

The Message

^11-16 Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

Wake up from your sleep,
Climb out of your coffins;
Christ will show you the light!

So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

¹⁷ Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.
^18-20 Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ.

For Reflection

I am going to borrow a phrase from Janet Chisom, our associate pastor.  "How does repentance look?"  It looks like you act.  How does righteousness look?  It, too, looks like you act.  It looks like the choices you make.  It looks like the actions of one who hopes for the realization of God's Kingdom.

Pray

that you avoid a careless life.  Pray for the wisdom to embrace those actions which are consistent with your faith.  Pray so that you can embrace God-centered choices.