Finding What Pleases God

TODAY'S READING: Eph. 5, 6, Ps. 119:1-80

SCRIPTURE: Eph. 5:1-10 (emphasis added)

¹ Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.

OBSERVATION: We don't tend to think of people who are immoral, impure or greedy as idolators but what they all worship is pleasure, power, fame or fortune. I think the most common of all these idols is pleasure. Even those who seek are greedy for money usually want to have it to spend on pleasures for themselves. Our society as a whole envies those who can obtain all the pleasures they want. It is the driving force behind most advertising. This whole section of scripture contrasts light and dark, good and evil, and choosing to live like God wants us to instead of living to please ourselves.

APPLICATION: In the cesspool of moral decay and idolatry that we have to live in, it is essential that we take the responsibility to find out what pleases the Lord and embrace living according to what we discover. We cannot hope to withstand the constant barrage of worldliness and temptation around us without the disciplines of prayer, reading the Word, and fellowship with others who are striving to be like Christ. But these disciplines do more for us than just help us to withstand temptation; they allow us to advance the Kingdom and be victorious overcomers who are also able to help set others free from the grip of Satan. They are the way to personal healing from the effects of sin but also to becoming warriors who snatch those who are held captive by the enemy and set them free.

PRAYER: Father, help the Church here in America and Europe to not fall into the trap of not making time to engage with you personally on a daily basis. I know we are marching toward the end of the age and your return, but I so long to see all of us who call you Lord be much more full of your power and authority. Move in your Church and bring us to repentance for our idolatries. I want to make more room for you in my life and I know that is necessary for others as well. May we be used by you to set others free. May we set ourselves to the task of finding out what pleases you and then living that out in our lives. I love you, Lord. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness and everything that is unworthy of you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.