Tag: Inspirational

1 Peter 2:13-16 –Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

Specifically speaking, God’s will is that we submit to those in authority – in modern, American terms, to our president, governors, and police officers.

1 Peter 3:17 –For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

God’s will is not that we should suffer for our evil-doing (it is not His will that we should doevil), but it is possible that it is God’s will for us to suffer, even if we are doing well in His eyes (think of Joseph who was cast into prison for his stand on purity – which, as we saw in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6, is definitely the will of God).

1 Peter 4:1-5 –Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

God’s intent for Christ’s suffering was that we would live according to His will. This passage outlines that there are two wills battling – the will of God, and the will of the Gentiles (i.e. the world). The will of the world is completely opposite to the will of God. We cannot follow the will of the world and be following the will of God at the same time.

1 Peter 4:19 –Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

If it is in God’s will for us to suffer, our responsibility is simply to commit the keeping of our souls to God. It seems as if one of the ways to do this is by continuing our well-doing.

1 John 2:17 –And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

The will of God (salvation for men) will be rewarded with eternal life. However, the will of this world simply fades away and is destroyed. Which will would we follow?

1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 –For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

If, after reading this passage and looking up definitions, one comes away with the mindset that “God doesn’t care about purity,” they must be blind!!!! This verse seems to clear that it is God’s will that all of His children should live in purity – though applicable spiritually, this passage is specifically talking about physically.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

God’s will is that we give thanks in every thing (good and bad).

Hebrews 10:36 –For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Again, there is the will of God for our individual lives. However, this verse encourages us to be patient, because if we have done God’s will, we will also receive His promise. Ultimately, this is talking about Christ’s promised return (Heb 10:37), but given the verses previous, applies to many aspects of life.

1 Corinthians 1:1 – Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

 2 Corinthians 1:1 – Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Ephesians 1:1 –Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Colossians 1:1 –Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

2 Timothy 1:1 –Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

By God’s will, Paul was called to be an apostle. The calling was evident in his life – I wonder if the calling is just as evident in our lives? Do we ignore it?

2 Corinthians 8:5 –And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

God’s will for every believer is that we give up ourselves to Him. This must be the first step before God will use us effectively in other areas. Have I surrendered myself to this will of God?

Galatians 1:4 –Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

God’s will is to deliver us from the evil world by Christ taking our sins upon Him.

Ephesians 6:6 –Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

Doing the will of God begins in our heart. This verse seems to be very applicable to children/daughters and even wives. Though we are not “enslaved” to our parents/husbands, there is a limitation on what we can and cannot do because we are under our father’s/husband’s authority. I believe that even in any “limitations” I might conceive, my duty is to do God’s will from my heart while I am under the authority of another.

Colossians 4:12 –Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

We can stand complete in God’s will – I do not think this comes naturally to the born-again believer, but it is possible by dying to self and seeking Christ.

Ephesians 5:15-17

We already understand that we must walk wisely and redeem the time. Beyond that, though, we are to understand the will of the Lord – what it is. How do we know God’s will? We must redeem the time and instead of seeking after this world’s ideas, seek first God and His kingdom.

Mark 3:35 –For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Doing the will of God is evidence that we are one with Christ.

Acts 13:36- For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

God has a specific will for specific children. For David, God’s will was that he would serve his generation by being king.

 Acts 21:14 – And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

As believers, we should be surrendered to God’s will for our life and the lives of others.

Romans 1:9-10 – For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

Romans 15:30, 32 –. . . strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

In our prayers, we can make our requests (and even ask others to join in this request), but must be submitted to the will of God.

Romans 8:27 –And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

While we pray, Jesus Christ (our Intercessor) intercedes on our behalf, but submitted to the will of God.

Romans 12:1-2 –I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

To prove God’s will in our lives, we must first be renewed in the spirit of our minds – renewed according to God’s way, not to the way of the world or our sinful flesh (the “old man”). God’s will is good, acceptable, and perfect. Part of proving God’s will in our lives seems connected with the first verse: presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, living holily, and doing what is acceptable in God’s eyes. Perhaps to know God’s perfect will, to be renewed in the spirit of our mind, we must apply those three aspects.

Ephesians 5:15-16

The wise man considers not only his walk, but also the times in which he is walking. He believes that what God says is truth – and because of this belief, he is hard at work to fulfill what God says he must do.

An example of this is the belief that Christ really is returning soon. Do we really believe the following verses?

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” (1 Peter 4:7)

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) 

“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (James 5:8) 

“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” (1 John 2:18) 

If we truly and honestly believed these verses, then would we not walk circumspectly? Would we not wisely consider our lifestyle? Would we not redeem the time? (“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” Colossians 4:5)

Yes, as many people have used this verse, we need to be wise stewards of our time in general. We need to wisely use our time. But let’s consider the next verse: “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17) It is unwise to think that God is merely talking about my personal pleasure and activities in “redeeming the time.” We must understand God’s will – the bigger picture – and walk according to that.

Walk circumspectly. Redeem the time. Understand God’s will.

Ephesians 5:15

The word “circumspectly” means “exactly” (NT: 199, akribos). The very description of fools vs. wise gives us a deeper understanding of this word. Scripture has a lot to say about this issue.

“The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.” (Proverbs 10:8)

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”(Proverbs 12:15)

“A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.” (Proverbs 14:16) 

“A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.” (Proverbs 17:10) 

“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” (Proverbs 29:11) 

“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.” (Ecclesiastes 10:12) 

To walk as the wise (according to these few verses) would be to receive commandments, depart from evil, receive reproof, check our words, and speak graciously.

To walk as the foolish would be to reject commandments and thereby fall, walk according to what is right in our eyes, harden our back against any correction, let our mouth pour out abundant words.

The fool does not consider the path he is walking – he just walks, lives. The wise ponders carefully where he is walking, being sure to follow the right path. The fool does not care about the instructions of others. The wise thrives on following God and His Word.

When I consider the path I’m walking, does it look more like a fool or wise?

Ephesians 5:7-13

According to verse 11, we are never to condone the works of darkness – they are not to be a part of our life and we are not to act as if they are righteous in God’s eyes. We are reminded why in verse 12: it is a shame to even speak of acts done in secret. We do not have to preach sin to get the sinner to repent – rather, we should preach Christ for “all things that are reproved are made manifest by the LIGHT.” (vs. 13) To get a sinner to see how sinful he is, we cannot pursue logic. Like Paul, we must say, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)

Ephesians 5:11

Already, Paul has established that we are to be followers of God (vs. 1), walking in love (vs. 2), abstaining from fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and jesting (vs. 3-4) and instead give thanks (vs. 4). He has reminded the believer that there should be a clear difference between the darkness and light (vs. 5-10). With all of this background, is added “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (vs. 11) In context, it seems that Paul is exhorting the believer to completely shun the works of darkness – to “have no fellowship (share in company with, co-participate in)” with the works.

It very clearly defines the works of darkness, and not the childrenof darkness. For example, 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” In our daily lives, we will come across people who are fornicators of the world, covetous, extortioners, idolaters, etc. If we were to avoid them completely, then we should just all die and go to heaven. No; God has a special plan for mixing His children with the children of darkness. We are to be lights in this dark world (“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”Philippians 2:14-16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16) and by being this light, we are to point others to Christ so that more would come into His kingdom.

But – if we participate in the works of darkness, our light will become dim and lose the powerful glow that could draw men unto Christ. Is our light shining clearly? or do we need our hearts cleansed from some hints of darkness?

Ephesians 5:8-10

As believers, our walk should prove (test, approve) what is acceptable (agreeable) in God’s eyes. I think this means that as we live, we should ever be seeking God to see what His ways are, to see what is acceptable in His eyes. If we feel clueless as to “what this way is,” God has given us His Word to guide us. Just a simple search shows us that we should walk:

-circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15)

-in His ways (Deuteronomy 8:6, 30:16; Psalm 119:2-3)

-in God’s truth (Psalm 86:11; 3 John 1:4)

-in light (Isaiah 2:5; Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 1:7)

-in humility (Micah 6:8)

-in newness of life (Romans 6:4)

-in the Spirit (Romans 8:1, 4; Galatians 5:16, 25)

-honestly (Romans 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:12)

-by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7)

-in good works (Ephesians 2:10)

-worthy of the Lord and His calling (Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12)

-in love (Ephesians 5:2)

-in wisdom (Colossians 4:5)

-after His commandments (2 John 1:6)

It also shows us that we should not walk:

-in the imagination of their own hearts (Jeremiah 3:17, 16:12, 18:12)

-in their own ways (Jeremiah 18:15; Acts 14:16)

-in pride (Daniel 4:37)

-in the name of false gods (Deuteronomy 8:9; Jeremiah 7:9, 13:10)

-for others to see and praise us (Luke 40:45-46)

-disorderly (2 Thessalonians 3:11)

-after ungodly lusts (Jude 1:18)

Ephesians 5:8

It is as if Paul gave a list to remind us of the works of darkness in the previous verses (fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, jesting, whoremonger, idolatry). He exhorts the believer to no longer partake in these sins (vs. 7), as if we were still living in darkness.

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” (Titus 3:3-8)

Paul does not ignore the past, however he compares the past to the salvation and light of Jesus Christ. We were in darkness, but now that Christ has freed us from sin and darkness, we are to walk according to His light.

Ephesians 5:9

Unlike the works of darkness, the fruit of the Spirit is goodness, righteousness, and truth – all attributes of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)

To now walk in this light that we’ve been given, we must learn more of Christ. We must cleanse our hearts to “think on these things.” The fruit of the Spirit reveals the work of Christ in our lives. If we don’t have these fruits, it is doubtable that we are truly walking in the Spirit.