Quite often the last thing we do as Christian bloggers is the thing we should do the most…let God’s word speak for itself. We are told to add images to hold the reader’s attention and not to write lengthy posts. We expound and explain and add in our stories and experiences, but none of these are known to change or soften the heart of a rebellious man or woman. In most cases, though not all, they work to mimic the soft shoe approach of the church today towards evangelism via entertainment.
In an age where it is very easy to be discouraged at the state of those who lay claim to the Body of Christ but who do not live for Christ in any area that is visible, we have seen the uprising of a new era that promotes a lack of accountability and biblical accuracy. ‘The ‘Don’t judge me’ era has birthed unbelieving lifestyles that, in ages past, have brought the wrath of God upon humanity, but today only delivers more inaccurate sermons on grace! If you were to join us for our family study time in the mornings, right now you would find us in Isaiah 15-16, and chapter 6 of Eric Ludy’s Bravehearted Gospel. During our morning discussion today on morality and the lost commitment to church discipline, my oldest son, Isaiah, asked the question, “How do you get your name back from that?”, referring to a church leader or ‘Christian’ living in sin and refusing to repent. Our response was not in regards to re-building your name, but how to maintain a good name from beginning to end…below is what we shared with our kids…PLEASE meditate on this…write it down..commit it to memory…As believers, the Spirit of the Living God now lives in us!!!! If the instructions being issued to the Ephesian church, and every other body of believers, were not possible, they would not have been given!! We can live lives that honor him!!! Do we genuinely want to, is the question…
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“With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; 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 lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible.” Ephesians 4:17-31-5:5-10
Joyfully Submitted 