Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 52

Paul Urges the Ephesian Believers to Live Wisely Part 2

Ephesians 5:18-21 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. KJV

Paul warns the newly redeemed Ephesian Gentiles of drunkenness because the god/demon Bacchus was worshiped at that time in that part of the world. Bacchus was thought to be the god of wine. Bacchus was considered to be the Roman god of wine and intoxication, equated with the Greek god Dionysus. His festival was celebrated on March 16 and 17. The Bacchanalia, orgies in honor of Dionysus, were introduced in Rome around 200 BCE. These infamous celebrations, notorious for their sexual and criminal character, got so out of hand that they were forbidden by the Roman Senate in 186 BCE. Bacchus is also identified with the old Italian god Liber. The Apostle Paul being a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-29) was very aware of these festivals and the abundant consumption of alcohol that took place during them as well as during all times year round wanted to remind these new born babes “in Christ” that now they are not to make wine their means of joy by consuming it in excess. This little English word excess Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word asotia which is used as a negative particle meaning properly unsavedness implying debauched living or riotous living as our Lord Jesus described with these words in the parable of the prodigal son, “And He said, ‘A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.’” (Luke 15:11-13).

Therefore, Paul acutely aware of the past behavior of many of these Ephesians and the present temptations that continue all around them since their conversion to Christ urges them to allow God the Holy Spirit’s fruit to replace the temporal joy that comes from being drunk with wine, but instead Paul wanted them to be intoxicated with the Power of the Holy Spirit which is far better than any wine could make them feel. Paul wants them and us today to let the Holy Spirit satisfy where before Christ the only joy that came was temporary from the over indulgence in drinking wine and other alcohol. Paul is also here making a comparison to go along with his contrast of the two, for just as a man or woman must make a choice to drink wine, so he or she must make a choice to yield to the Power of the Holy Spirit and just as the wine/alcohol takes over and leads the man or woman to do and say the things done or said (which are often when indulged in excess not good things), so does the yielding to the Power of the Holy Spirit lead to them doing and saying things that are always good for the man or woman and likewise for everyone around them as Paul described the results to the Galatian believers with these words, “But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Paul’s command to these Ephesian believers and to us today is that we would be continually, constantly, and consistently filled to satisfaction with the fruit of the Spirit and this is why he warned them/us from grieving Him by our sin, disobedience, and rebellion, for when we do so (and we all do) then we block, or block off, or barricade Him out of our hearts or inner man/inner woman and He will not fill us to satisfaction, then we seek satisfaction from the world and the flesh and that brings ruin into our lives and wreaks havoc on all around us. Remember when a man or woman is filled with the intoxicating effects of wine/alcohol in excess they often times become belligerent, easily angered and then eager to fight filled with courage from the effects of the alcohol, but we know that this had led many into early graves. However, when a man or woman is filled with the Holy Spirit they too are filled with courage and strength not to do others physical harm, but to stand up for our Lord Jesus Christ against any evil opposition in order to do men and women good by declaring to them the Love of God and the Grace of God found in the Gospel, this was the effect upon the Apostle Peter who had coward before a young girl, but then filled with the Spirit stood before thousands preaching the Gospel and saw 3,000 souls converted to Christ on that one occasion Acts Chapter 2. Note: “Let us remember that Paul never here or in any of his letters condemns wine, but it is drunkenness from over consumption of wine that Paul commands against for we must remember these words he wrote to Brother Timothy when he said, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.” (1 Timothy 5:23).”

Paul declares the result of being filled with the Spirit will be “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” (Ephesians 5:19). Here we find Paul exhorting what many people deem to be odd or weird behavior and that is to talk to one’s self and it is what Paul declares to be the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The result Paul is wanting to get across here is that when filled with the Holy Spirit each of us will magnify our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ constantly (Acts 16:25) and in any circumstance without even thinking of how we look or appear to others, but we will be filled with love for our Lord Jesus and our hearts will be bursting to praise Him in internal singing and external singing with other brothers and sisters in Christ as the Psalmist writes and exhorts with these words, “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!” (Psalm 47:6). The other immediate result of being filled with the Holy Spirit will be the “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” (Ephesians 5:20). The English phrase “giving thanks” is translated by one Greek word eucharisteo meaning to be grateful, that is, (actually) to express gratitude towards someone and in this case our Heavenly Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. A thankful heart is a happy heart in contrast to an ungrateful heart being a bitter heart. Since we have received so great a salvation how could we be anything but always thankful and filled with gratitude that such sinful wretches as we are would be forgiven all our sins by a Pure, Clean, and Holy God when we do not deserve it. The Gospel is what we always should give God thanks for and the Son of God who brought it to us here on His earth as Paul wrote in this manner to the Colossian believers, “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossian 3:14-17).

Paul then declares that being controlled by God the Holy Spirit should cause each one of us the desire of “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Ephesians 5:21). The English phrase “submitting yourselves” is translated by one Greek word hupotasso meaning to subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto. In the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ lies no kings or queens but we are all subjects to one King Christ and consequently we should be subject to Him by likewise being under subjection or under the control of one another so as not to hurt one another in any manner as our Lord Jesus declared Himself with these words, “But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’” (Mark 10:42-45). How must we submit to one another except we submit to the Word of God specifically in the New Testament which is our direction for living as sojourners, pilgrims, and aliens during our time on the earth as the Apostle Peter declared with these words written in the New Testament, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:5-7). In doing this, we will show that we revere God the Father, His children, and His Word.

“He reminds them that ‘God is not the author of confusion.’ His Spirit is a Spirit of seemliness and reverence. ‘In fear of Christ,’ the unseen witness and president of its assemblies, the Church will comport herself with the decorum that befits His bride. The spirits of the prophets will be subject to the prophets. The voices of the singers and the hands of them that play upon the strings of the harp or the keys of the organ, will keep tune with the worship of Christ’s congregation. Each must consider that it is his part to serve and not rule in the service of God’s house. In our common work and worship, in all the offices of life this is the Christian law. No man within Christ’s Church, however commanding his powers, may set himself above the duty of submitting his judgment and will to that of his fellows. In mutual subjection lies our freedom, with our strength and peace.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 51

Paul Urges the Ephesian Believers to Live Wisely Part 1

Ephesians 5:15-17 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. KJV

Paul having declared all the dangers without and within to these Ephesian believers and to us today now exhorts them/us as his brethren to be careful about how they/we live each and every day our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ keeps them/us down here on the earth as pilgrims, knowing that we have a Heavenly home (John 14:2-3) and citizenship there (Philippians 3:20). Paul is determined that they/we “walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15). The English word walk is one often used by Paul and it is translated by the Greek word peripateo meaning figuratively to live, deport oneself, behave in a manner that is becoming of a follower of Jesus Christ bringing glory and honor to Him and not shame. Paul also throws in the English word circumspectly to place an extra emphasis on his desire here for them/us and this word is translated by the Greek word akribos an adverb meaning exactly: - diligently, perfectly. In other words, Paul wants them/us to be wise in the way we conduct ourselves on the earth (as Christ followers) being careful and persevering through trials, tests, and temptations leaning and standing on the Grace of God, the Love of Christ, and the Power of the Holy Spirit as he prayed with the same desire for the Thessalonian believers with these words, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

Paul exhorts them and us to not or no longer live foolishly, but contrastingly we are to live wisely in this present age and Paul perhaps said it best with these words he wrote to the Hebrew brethren, “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: ‘For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.’ But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:32-39).

Paul now writes to them/us and places his focus on something each one of us have an equal quantity of and that is time, so the Apostle exhorts them into “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16). The English word redeeming Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word exagorazo meaning to buy up, that is, ransom; figuratively to rescue from loss (improve opportunity): - redeem. In other words, Paul paints a word picture for us of someone going to a market or store to buy up some commodity or product that is highly useful and valuable to the purchaser in this case he speaks of time which none of us can regain after it is squandered or lost, so Paul urges them/us to use the remaining time/season our Lord Jesus Christ gives us in our pilgrimage here on earth away from our Heavenly home to benefit His Eternal Kingdom laying up treasures in Heaven by way of getting out the Word of God through every available means we have to us today. Not by happen stance or coincidence does Paul use this same Greek word exagorazo in his letter to the Galatian brethren when he says, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem/exagorazo those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5). What the Apostle has done is place the significance of our use of time here on the earth as aliens on the same level as the significance of our redemption by the Blood of Christ on the Cross of Christ leading to the Resurrection of Christ Wow! We understand his esteeming our use of time being so important because the period of time or generation was controlled by evil and this is true of Paul’s time our time and future generations (if our Lord Jesus tarries).

Paul then says to them/us “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17). Paul again reminds them/us to not be unwise but the Greek word Paul uses this time is aphron meaning (as a negative particle); properly mindless, that is, stupid, (by implication) ignorant, (specifically) egotistic, (practically) rash, or (morally) unbelieving. Paul then says to them instead of being unwise be understanding and this English word understanding is translated by the Greek word suniemi meaning to put together, that is, (mentally) to comprehend; by implication to act piously: - consider, understand, be wise. Lastly, Paul puts it all together by wanting them/us to be aware of what the will of Christ is for our lives here on the earth and this English word will is translated by the Greek word thelema meaning a determination (properly the thing), that is, (actively) choice (specifically purpose, decree; abstractly volition) or (passively) inclination: - desire, pleasure, will. In other words, Paul wants us to exercise our spiritual faculties ignited by the Power of the Holy Spirit and the truth of the Word of God (2 Corinthians 6:7) to be true to the will of God that is only found in the Word of God and to shun, avoid, and deliberately stay away from ignorance of the Word of God by being unbelieving in our character and conduct instead staying in fervent love with our Lord Jesus Christ avoiding what will occur during the great tribulation as our Lord Jesus Himself warned would occur with these words, “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:10-12). Paul’s desire (in light of this warning from our Lord Jesus) to redeem the time is much understood and should be well received by each one of us.  

“The believer’s walk is both inward and outward; his inward walk is by faith on Christ; his outward walk is his conversation among men: this supposes life; requires strength and prudence; denotes continuance and progression; with patience and courage: this walk should be seen to, and watched over; a man should see to it that he does walk, and to the way in which he walks, and how he walks; that he walks circumspectly, with his eyes about him; that he walks with diligence, caution, accuracy, and exactness, to the uttermost of his strength and power; and with wisdom and prudence, looking well to his going. Such walk as wise men, who walk according to the rule of God’s word, make Christ their pattern, have the Spirit for their guide, and walk as becomes the Gospel of Christ; inoffensively to all men, in wisdom towards them that are without, and in love to them that are within; and as pilgrims and strangers in this world, looking for a better country; and so as to promote the glory of God, and the good of souls.” Dr. John Gill

“Because the Christian is to shake himself free from complicity with works of darkness, and to be their living condemnation, he must take heed to his goings. A climber on a glacier has to look to his feet, or he will slip and fall down a crevasse, perhaps, from which he will never be drawn up. Heedlessness is folly in such a world as this. ‘Don’t care’ comes to the gallows. The temptation to ‘go as you please’ is strong in youth, and it is easy to scoff at ‘cold-blooded folks who live by rule,’ but they are the wise people, after all. A great element in that heedfulness is a quick insight into the special duty and opportunity of the moment, for life is not merely made up of hours, but each has its own particular errand for us, and has some possibility in it which, neglected, may be lost forever. The mystic solemnity of time is that it is made up of ‘seasons.’ We shall walk heedfully in the degree in which we are awake to the moment’s meaning, and grasp opportunity by the forelock, or, as Paul says, ‘buy up the opportunity.’ But wise heed to our walk is not enough, unless we have a sure standard by which to regulate it. A man may take great care of his watch, but unless he can compare it with a chronometer, or, as they do in Edinburgh, pull out their watches when the one o’clock gun is fired on a signal from Greenwich, he may be far out and not know it. So the Apostle adds the one way to keep our lives right, and the one source of true, practical wisdom-the ‘understanding what the will of the Lord is.’ He will not go far wrong whose instinctive question, as each new moment, with its solemn, animating possibilities, meets him, is, ‘What wilt Thou have me to do?’ He will not be nearly right who does not first of all ask that.” Alexander MacLaren

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 50

Paul Urges the Ephesian Believers to Prove their Union with Christ by Walking in Light Part 4

Ephesians 5:13-14 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. KJV

Paul concludes his exhortation to these Ephesian believers and we true believers in Christ today to walk or live in the light of Christ by declaring that His Light and the Light of His Word will bring the hidden things of darkness to light and Paul uses the English word manifest in verse 13 to show what he means and this word is translated by the Greek word phaneroo meaning to render apparent (literally or figuratively): - appear or show forth. In other words, it is the truthful proclamation of the Gospel of Christ and of Grace along with the rest of the Word of God that shines light into the darkness of our sins and the sins of mankind as the Proverb states using these words to turn a man away from committing adultery or fornication with a woman not his wife, “For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, to keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress. Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, nor let her allure you with her eyelids. For by means of a harlot A man is reduced to a crust of bread; And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life. Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be seared? So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.” (Proverbs 6:23-29). The darkness of having sex with a neighbor’s wife (adultery) is reproved, confuted, admonished, and rebuked as sin by the Light of the Word of God.

We find that the man whom our Lord Jesus Christ said was more than a Prophet John the Baptist (Luke 7:26) found himself making an enemy with Herodias who was Herod’s brother Phillip’s wife because John the Baptist had openly rebuked the King according to Jewish Law as recorded by the Gospel writer Mark with these words, “For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’” (Mark 6:17-18). We find that Herodias’s anger and hatred toward John the Baptist because his proclamation of the Word of God to her exposing her darkness with the Light of the Jewish Law never subsided and she convinced her daughter to have the King put John the Baptist in prison and behead him bringing John’s head to her (Mark 6:21-28). Paul then says consequently because of this truth that light makes darkness apparent, “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” (Ephesians 5:14). First, let us keep in mind that this letter is written to the converted people of Ephesus who are now Paul’s brothers and sisters in Christ and likewise ours also who belong to Christ today. With that said, what does Paul mean by telling these Ephesian believers to ‘Awake’?

Well the Greek word that translates awake is egeiro meaning (through the idea of collecting one’s faculties); to waken (transitively or intransitively), that is, rouse figuratively from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, or nonexistence). In other words, the idea Paul has in mind here is to rouse or excite these Ephesian believers and us today to vigilance or alertness to steering their/our lives down a path of darkness leading away from the Light of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. When we were born again, we were not born into spiritual maturity or adulthood just as a baby born into the natural world is not born full grown capable of taking care of himself or herself. In like manner, these Ephesian believers and we believers in Christ today do not shift to cruise control after accepting Christ as Savior, but instead we must be often aroused from apathy or indifference by the Light of the Word of God shining into the dark crevices of our souls. This is the Apostle’s point, purpose, and place for awakening them out of spiritual sleep and spiritual decay into a fresh filling of God the Holy Spirit so that He can burn away the dross or the worthless and dangerous things in our lives that keep us from the fullness in Christ that is ours by virtue of our redemption.

Our Lord Jesus Himself declared to the Laodicean Church the same desire with these words, “And to the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the Creation of God: ‘I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ --- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked --- I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.’” (Revelation 3:14-22).

My own Personal Note: We have no power within us to rouse ourselves from spiritual apathy, and God the Holy Spirit will not awaken us to new power by commandeering or hijacking our will, we must want to receive eye salve from our Lord Jesus Christ that we may again see clearly from Him perspective and walk or live in His Holy Light by following Him as He said would occur with these words, “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” (John 8:12).

“Dr. Macknight paraphrases this verse as follows: ‘Now all these reprovable actions, which are practiced in celebrating these mysteries, are made manifest as sinful by the Gospel; and, seeing everything which discovers the true nature of actions is light, the Gospel, which discovers the evil nature of the actions performed in these mysteries, is light.’ The A*postle speaks against these mysteries as he speaks against fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness; but by no means either borrows expression or similitude from them to illustrate Divine truths; for, as it would be a shame even to speak of those things, surely it would be an abomination to allude to them in the illustration of the doctrines of the Gospel.” Adam Clarke

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 49

Paul Urges the Ephesian Believers to Prove their Union with Christ by Walking in Light Part 3

Ephesians 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. KJV

We discovered in the last study Paul warning these Ephesian believers and we true believers in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ today of not being a partaker with the worthless works, acts, or deeds of darkness and now he immediately declares to them and to us why this is vital for the child of God to heed or listen to because Paul declares “it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (Ephesians 5:12). The little phrase “a shame” Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word aischron meaning a shameful thing, that is, indecorum: a disgraceful thing something that is base or specifically venal. In aligning this statement with the previous verse, Paul exposes or reveals that these things are done by people “in secret” and this little English phrase is translated by one Greek word kruphe meaning privately concealed or covered up.

Paul was most probably referring to the ancient Greek mass religious event that took place every year in which a sacred brew was drunk by initiates in a ritual setting during which sacrifices were made, this was all done in honor of the goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone. On the sixth (6) night the Eleusinian ceremony took place in the inner sanctum of the temple where only the pagan priest and the initiates would enter, then the initiates were given this potion made of barley and mint called kykeon which caused them to hallucinate making them believe they had seen a vision of the beginning and end of birth and death. It was perhaps the LSD of the time and only caused these initiates to be deluded into thinking they had encountered God, when in actuality they were giving themselves over to demonic spirits just as many people today who practice occult rituals such as séances believe falsely that they are in touch with God when they are not.

Whether Paul was privy to the actual details of this practice during his day before his encounter with Christ on the Damascus road is unclear, but it is certain that after his reception of Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit he surely was made known of all of these dark things done “in secret” by many Greeks and Romans during his time and so he warns these new Ephesian believers (who some may have been initiated into these rites and rituals) to no longer have fellowship with such darkness now that they are “in Christ” being adopted into the Father’s Family. Today we still find many of these “secret societies” alive and well and we also find that the same secrecy and darkness is attached and associated with many of them. Paul’s warning for us today is the same and that is to have no participation in these societies, clubs, fraternities, lodges, or any organization that conceals, cloaks, or covers itself in secrecy that only a special or privileged hierarchy are allowed to have knowledge of its workings.

Certainly we have learned that it is often true that where there is secrecy in an organization, a Church, or an individual person there you will always find liberality that encourages, exalts, and even engages in doing/practicing whatever feels good or gratifying to the flesh. However, this must not be the practice of the redeemed as we find this same Apostle Paul warning throughout all his letters to turn away from those things that would separate us from the “love of God” found in Christ Jesus our Lord such as, “Stay away from sexual sins. Other sins that people commit don’t affect their bodies the same way sexual sins do. People who sin sexually sin against their own bodies. Don’t you know that your body is a temple that belongs to the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit, whom you received from God, lives in you. You don’t belong to yourselves. You were bought for a price. So bring glory to God in the way you use your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

Paul perhaps gives his most detailed rebuke for any believer to shun or turn away from these secret societies that practice concealing from the majority the inner workings of their group when he writes these words also to the Corinthian believers, “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that all our ancestors [who left Egypt] were under the cloud, and they all went through the sea. They were all united with Moses by baptism in the cloud and in the sea. All of them ate the same spiritual food, and all of them drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from the spiritual rock that went with them, and that rock was Christ. Yet, God was not pleased with most of them, so their dead bodies were scattered over the desert. These things have become examples for us so that we won’t desire what is evil, as they did. So don’t worship false gods as some of them did, as Scripture says, ‘The people sat down to a feast which turned into an orgy.’ We shouldn’t sin sexually as some of them did. Twenty-three thousand of them died on one day. We shouldn’t put the Lord to the test as some of them did. They were killed by snakes. Don’t complain as some of them did. The angel of death destroyed them. These things happened to make them an example for others. These things were written down as a warning for us who are living in the closing days of history. So, people who think they are standing firmly should be careful that they don’t fall. There isn’t any temptation that you have experienced which is unusual for humans. God, who faithfully keeps His promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted, He will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape. Therefore, my dear friends, get as far away from the worship of false gods as you can. I’m talking to intelligent people. Judge for yourselves what I’m saying. When we bless the cup of blessing aren’t we sharing in the Blood of Christ? When we break the bread aren’t we sharing in the Body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we are one body, although we are many individuals. All of us share one loaf. Look at the people of Israel from a human point of view. Don’t those who eat the sacrifices share what is on the altar? Do I mean that an offering made to a false god is anything, or that a false god itself is anything? Hardly! What I am saying is that these sacrifices which people make are made to demons and not to God. I don’t want you to be partners with demons. You cannot drink the Lord’s cup and the cup of demons. You cannot participate at the table of the Lord and at the table of demons. Are we trying to make the Lord jealous? Are we stronger than He is?” (1 Corinthians 10:1-22).

My own Personal Note: Just as light in the natural world shines brightly and illuminates or makes clearly visible what is in a dark building or dark room in a building, so does the Light of Christ, the Light of the Gospel, and the Light of the Word of God shine brightly upon the darkness of sin and makes its  presence known giving clear irrefutable evidence or proof of the truth and this is exactly what the Apostle conveyed again to the Corinthian believers with these words, “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5), therefore, knowing this truth as was also written by the Psalmist in this manner, “You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.” (Psalm 90:8), we who love our Lord Jesus Christ should continually make these words written by the Psalmist likewise our prayer, “Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.” (Psalm 19:12).    

“God would not mock a man by telling him to do what he cannot do. And it is perfectly clear that the one attitude in which we may be sure of God’s help to keep any of His commandments, and this amongst the rest, is when we are trying to keep them. ‘Stretch out thy hand,’ said Christ to the man whose disease was that he could not stretch it out. ‘Arise and walk,’ said Christ to the man whose lifelong sadness it was that his limbs had no power. ‘Lazarus, come forth,’ said Christ unto the dull, cold ear of death. And Lazarus heard, wherever he was, and, though his feet were tangled with the graveclothes, he came stumbling out, because the power to do what he was bid had come wrapped in the command to do it. And if these other two men had turned to Jesus and said, ‘What is the use of telling me to stretch out my hand, or me to move my limbs? Thou knowest that I cannot,’ they would have lain there paralysed till they died. But when they heard the command there came a tingling sense of new ability into the withered limb. ‘And he stretched forth his hand, and it was restored whole as the other.’ Ay, but the process of restoration began when he willed to stretch it out in obedience to the command, which was a promise as much as a command. So we need not trouble ourselves with the question how the dead man can arise, or how the sleeper can wake himself. This, at all events, is clear, that if what I have been saying is true as to the main point in view in both the metaphors, viz. the unconsciousness of the unseen world, and the slumbering powers that we have within us, then the remedy for that is in our own hands. There are scarcely any limits to be put to a man’s  affection, or his pursuits. You can withdraw your desires and contemplations from the intrusive and absorbing present. You can coerce yourselves to concentrate more thought than you do, more interest, affection, and effort than you have ever done, upon the things that are unseen. You can turn your gaze thither. You cannot directly and immediately regulate your feelings, but you can settle the thoughts which shall guide the feelings, and you can, and you do, fix for yourselves, though not consciously, the things which shall be uppermost in your regard, and supreme in the ordering of your life.” Alexander MacLaren

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 48

Paul Urges the Ephesian Believers to Prove their Union with Christ by Walking in Light Part 2

Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. KJV

Paul exhorting these Ephesian believers and we true believers today to live in the light of Christ we have been born again into, now warns them/us of the danger of the remaining darkness of sin in the world and also in our “old man” or “old nature” and commands them to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11). The English phrase “have no fellowship” is translated by one Greek word sugkoinoneo which means to share in company with, that is, co-participate in: - communicate (have fellowship) with, be partaker of. In other words, Paul is warning them and us to not partner up with darkness seeing that we are now light in the Lord Jesus Christ, therefore, our life should be governed or brought into conformity with the light of the Word of God. There should not be any longer a love for the things of darkness in the children of God because that is what those who hate the light do and make their aim and continuous goal as the Apostle John documented these words spoken by our Lord Jesus in his Gospel, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:19-21).

The critical word in this statement from our Lord Jesus Christ is practicing which is translated by the Greek word prasso which is a primary verb; to practice, that is, perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from poieo, which properly refers to a single act). Thus Paul wants these Ephesian believers and we true believers today to understand the definitive difference between light and darkness and those who belong to each group and he warns us to have no participation with those who repeatedly live in darkness as if it were not darkness at all as he admonished the Corinthian believers with these words, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living {and} right standing with God with iniquity {and} lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in {and} with {and} among them and will walk in {and} with {and} among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. So, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly {and} treat you with favor, And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Paul contrast darkness as work or toil being that which is barren providing no sustenance for the soul, completely wanting and lacking in anything useful for the one who lives in it being a wasteland that is destitute of all that is beneficial to the soul of man or woman, therefore, Paul says “but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). This English word reprove is translated by the Greek word elegcho meaning to confute, admonish: - convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove. As the Apostle Paul did with Felix as recorded for us by Dr. Luke in Acts with these words, “Some days later Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discussed the subjects of God’s approval, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, ‘That’s enough for now. You can go. When I find time, I’ll send for you again.’” (Acts 24:24-25).

My own Personal Note: “Let us be clear that Paul is admonishing, warning, and even commanding these Ephesian believers and we believers today to avoid, stay clear of, or keep away from the “works” of darkness i.e. sins that are against the “will of God”, but in no way or by no means is Paul telling us to keep away from sinners, for it was for this reason or purpose that our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ came into the world to call sinners to repentance as He declared with these words, “The Pharisees saw this and asked His disciples, ‘Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard that, he said, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor; those who are sick do. Learn what this means: I want mercy, not sacrifices. I’ve come to call sinners, not people who think they have God’s approval.’” (Matthew 9:11-13).”

“We have seen in a former sermon that ‘the fruit,’ or outcome, ‘of the Light’ is a comprehensive perfection, consisting in all sorts and degrees of goodness and righteousness and truth. Therefore, the commandment, ‘Walk as children of the light,’ sums up all Christian morality. Is there need, then, for any additional precept? Yes; for Christian people do not live in an empty world. If there were no evil round them, and no proclivity to evil within them, it would be amply sufficient to say to them, ‘Be true to the light which you behold.’ But since both these things are, the commandment of my text is further necessary. We do not work in vacuo, and therefore friction and atmosphere have to be taken account of; and an essential part of ‘walking as children of the light’ is to know how to behave ourselves when confronted with ‘the works of darkness.’ These Ephesian Christians lived in a state of society honeycombed with hideous immorality, the centre of which was the temple, which was their city’s glory and shame. It was all but impossible for them to have nothing to do with the works of evil, unless, indeed, they went out of the world. But the difficulty of obedience does not affect the duty of obedience, nor slacken in the smallest degree the stringency of a command. This obligation lies upon us as fully as it did upon them, and the discharge of it by professing Christians would bring new life to moribund Churches.” Alexander MacLaren

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 47

Paul Urges the Ephesian Believers to Prove their Union with Christ by Walking in Light Part 1

Ephesians 5:8-10 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. KJV

Paul continuing his exhortation to these Ephesian believers and to us today puts before them another contrast between who they were before Christ and who they are now “in Christ” by saying to them that “ye were sometimes darkness” (Ephesians 5:8). The English word sometimes Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word pote an indefinite adverb meaning in the old time or in time past. In other words, the Apostle Paul wants them to see that the uncleanness, fornication, covetousness, coarse jesting, filthiness, and foolish talking that many of them practiced before he showed up in Ephesus preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ was who they were and not who they are now, because our Lord Jesus Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirit has washed them spiritually clean making them new creatures as Paul declared in this manner the same concept to the Corinthian believers who were reverting back to their old way of life when Paul said, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

It is always the Apostle Paul’s method in all of his letters to bring to the remembrance of every believer in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ what His will is for those He purchases with His Blood by contrasting the lifestyles and practices of those who are not purchased by Christ Blood. Immediately Paul reminds them that now they and we are “light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8) and by this Paul is reaffirming the very words of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself when He said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works (new nature) and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16). The Apostle John also spoke of our Lord Jesus as being the Life and Light when he said, “In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it].” (John 1:4-5).

Therefore, Paul comes to the only sensible, solid, and sound conclusion for these Ephesian believers and for all of us true believers today and that is to “walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). Paul is saying here to them and to us that the course of our pilgrimage here on the earth should reflect the light of Christ in our lives making us distinctive, distinguishable, and different from those who chart the course of their lives by the dictates of the world, the flesh, and the devil being still in darkness. This is Paul still further expanding on what he has already wrote to them in Ephesians 4:17-24. Let’s take a very crude but obvious example that will illuminate for us what Paul is determined to get across here: If a baby boy is born in Beijing, China to a Chinese Father and Chinese Mother, that baby will not grow up as an adult and look like Michael Jordon the former NBA Basketball great. Likewise, here Paul is declaring these Ephesian believers and we true believers in Christ today to be light in Him, therefore, our lifestyle and practices should not reflect our old life before our redemption by Christ Blood. We are united with Jesus Christ and have been so mercifully forgiven by Him of all our sin, washed clean, and given a new nature, then we should yield to the Holy Spirit who wants to energize our new nature at all times to guide us into all truth “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth” (Ephesians 5:9).

This verse is parenthetical, qualifying and explaining the things he has previously written in this very same epistle. The English word goodness is translated by the Greek word agathosune which means virtue or beneficence; The quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong; The quality of being kind, helpful or generous. This is the virtue they/we are to walk or live in and by in contrast to what he warned them against just earlier when he said, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31). The English word righteousness is translated by the Greek word dikaiosune meaning to be equitable (in character and in actions). This virtue Paul includes as an opposition to covetousness that is not to be named among the saints as he said in Ephesians 5:3. The English word truth is translated by the Greek word aletheia meaning true as not concealing and conforming to reality and actuality. This virtue is in stark contrast to the obvious opposite negative of the darkness of lying as Paul warned against when he said, “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another.” (Ephesians 4:25). When this “fruit of light” is manifested by the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, then it will go on to the “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10). When we yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit and walk or live as children of light then we will prove (to ourselves) what is agreeable to our Father in Heaven and well pleasing to Him and what will cause Him displeasure bringing Him to discipline or chasten His children as Paul wrote with these words to the Hebrew believers, “Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:9-11).

“At the bottom, therefore, righteousness and goodness are one. Each is the counterface and complement of the other. Righteousness is to goodness as the strong backbone of principle, the firm hand and the vigorous grasp of duty, the steadfast foot that plants itself on the eternal ground of the right and true and stands against a world’s assault. Goodness without righteousness is a weak and fitful sentiment: righteousness without goodness is a dead formality. He cannot love God or his neighbour truly, who does not love God’s law; and he knows nothing aright of that law, who does not know that it is the law of love.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

“We shall never walk as the children of the light, unless we have the habit of referring everything, trifles and great things, to His arbitrament, and seeking in them all to do what is pleasing in His sight. The smallest deed may be brought under the operation of the largest principles. Gravitation influences the microscopic grain of sand as well as planets and sun. There is nothing so small but you can bring it into this category-it either pleases or displeases Jesus Christ. And the faults into which Christian men fall and in which they continue are very largely owing to their carelessness in applying this standard to the small things of their daily lives. The sleepy Custom House officers let the contraband article in because it seems to be of small bulk. There are old stories about how strong castles were taken by armed men hidden in an innocent-looking cart of forage. Do you keep up a rigid inspection at the frontier, and see to it that everything vindicates its right to enter because it is pleasing to Jesus Christ.” Alexander MacLaren

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 46

Paul Urges the Ephesian Believers to Prove their Union with Christ by Walking in Love Part 2

Ephesians 5:5-7 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. KJV

Paul now concludes his exhortation to these Ephesian believers and to every one of us true believers today with something that he has done in all of his letters and that is to warn those of us who have received Christ to be diligent in our conduct/behavior because there is a contrast or distinction between God’s children and those who do not belong to Him at all. Paul begins by giving these Ephesian believers and us today the reasons why some do not belong to Christ and the first is the English word whoremonger which is translated by the Greek word pornos meaning a (male) prostitute (as venal), that is, (by analogy) a debauchee (libertine): someone who is a dissolute person; usually a man or woman who is morally unrestrained. In other words, Paul declares a whoremonger to be one who has no restraints or limits on his/her moral conduct and behavior and make it their aim or practice to pursue and gratify every sensual pleasure that they have and crave.

The next category of persons Paul declares is denoted by the little English phrase unclean person which is translated by one Greek word akathartos meaning impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specifically (demonic)): - foul, unclean. This word Paul uses here ties in with the previous word pornos and they both depict, detail, and describe people that make sexual immorality of any sort their normal lifestyle or way of living with no desire or effort made by them to fight these sins, but instead endeavor to yield themselves to them on a regular every day basis believing that it is not evil, but Paul wants these Ephesian believers and us today to know and understand that this sexual behavior is demonic in nature and extremely evil and that it is not God’s will for His redeemed adopted children. Here is what Moses said of our God YAWEH/Jesus Christ speaking these words to the people of Israel that came out of slavery in Egypt, “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; And hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, As raindrops on the tender herb, And as showers on the grass. For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.” (Deuteronomy 32:1-4).

Next Paul list a covetous man and this English phrase is translated by one Greek word pleonektes meaning someone holding (desiring) more, that is, eager for gain (avaricious or greedy, hence a defrauder. This Paul declares to be people who are not desiring to gain wealth that they might do some good to others, but someone who has greed for gain in their hearts in order to make themselves appear better than others and to give themselves the feeling or satisfaction that they are somebody special because they have much earthly wealth and it causes them to even scam, scheme, and swindle other people out of their money in order to gain this status they seek. It is an unholy love of money as Paul declared to Brother Timothy has happened to many (even believers) with these words, “But people who want to get rich keep falling into temptation. They are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires which drown them in destruction and ruin. Certainly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people who have set their hearts on getting rich have wandered away from the Christian faith and have caused themselves a lot of grief.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Paul describes the covetous man as an idolater and this English phrase is translated by the Greek word eidololatres meaning someone who worships money or things and serves it rather than the One True God Jesus Christ our Lord as our Lord Jesus Christ warned with these words, “No one can serve two masters. He will hate the first master and love the second, or he will be devoted to the first and despise the second. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Matthew 6:24). Paul emphatically declares that no one who charters their course of life in these ways is an heir of God and of Christ Jesus our Lord or in other words they have not been redeemed by the Blood of Christ nor have they been born again of the Holy Spirit. Here again is what Moses said of some of the people of Israel that came out of slavery in Egypt, “They made Him furious because they worshiped foreign gods and angered Him because they worshiped worthless idols. They sacrificed to demons that are not God, to gods they never heard of. These were new gods, who came from nearby, gods your ancestors never worshiped. (You ignored the Rock who fathered you and forgot the God who gave you life.) The LORD saw this and rejected them, because His own sons and daughters had made Him angry. He said, ‘I will turn away from them and find out what will happen to them. They are devious people, children who can’t be trusted.’” (Deuteronomy 32:16-20). Note: “Now the meaning of these words is, not that all who have been guilty of these sins shall be excluded the Kingdom of God, but all such who live and die in them, without the grace of God, and righteousness of Christ.” (Dr. John Gill).

Paul even warns these Ephesian believers and us today a final time by saying, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5:6). The English word deceive Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word apatao meaning to cheat, that is, delude someone. In other words, the idea Paul has in mind here is to not allow anyone to deprive us from experiencing the true Grace of God that can strengthen us from our weakness to our old sinful nature that still lives in us by tainting us with false hope or assurance absent from God’s true Grace or by telling us or teaching us that God does not care what we do with our bodies that belong to Him, Paul is writing this from his own experience of failure in this area as we discover from his words written to the Roman believers, “I know that God’s standards are spiritual, but I have a corrupt nature, sold as a slave to sin. I don’t realize what I’m doing. I don’t do what I want to do. Instead, I do what I hate. I don’t do what I want to do, but I agree that God’s standards are good. So I am no longer the one who is doing the things I hate, but sin that lives in me is doing them. I know that nothing good lives in me; that is, nothing good lives in my corrupt nature. Although I have the desire to do what is right, I don’t do it. I don’t do the good I want to do. Instead, I do the evil that I don’t want to do. Now, when I do what I don’t want to do, I am no longer the one who is doing it. Sin that lives in me is doing it. So I’ve discovered this truth: Evil is present with me even when I want to do what God’s standards say is good. I take pleasure in Gods standards in my inner being. However, I see a different standard [at work] throughout my body. It is at war with the standards my mind sets and tries to take me captive to sin’s standards which still exist throughout my body. What a miserable person I am! Who will rescue me from my dying body? I thank God that our Lord Jesus Christ rescues me! So I am obedient to God’s standards with my mind, but I am obedient to sin’s standards with my corrupt nature.” (Romans 7:14-25).

My own Personal Note: “The difference Paul is making here to these Ephesian believers and to all of us who have been truly redeemed verses those that will be excluded from the Kingdom of God and of Christ is ‘desire’ that resides in the inner man or inner woman by virtue of being born again or born twice because there is now a war being waged in the inner man and inner woman for control of what the body will do or not do on the outside and this is why Paul said this to the Galatian believers, ‘Let me explain further. Live your life as your spiritual nature directs you. Then you will never follow through on what your corrupt nature wants.’ (Galatians 5:16) because the old nature or corrupt nature only wants to express its corruption through the body by sin, however, the new nature never wants to sin, therefore, we see that the ‘desire’ of all those who have not been redeemed is solely and only to love their sin and not hate it as Paul declared he did to the Roman believers above and as the Apostle John documented with these words, ‘For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.’ (Revelation 22:15) and we are not to partake or pattern our lives in a lie or any falsehood with those who are unredeemed.”

“Let none flatter you, as though such things were tolerable and to be allowed of in Christians, or as though they were not very provoking and offensive unto God, or as though you might indulge yourselves in them and yet escape with impunity. These are vain words. Observe, Those who flatter themselves and others with hopes of impunity in sin do but put a cheat upon themselves and others. Thus Satan deceived our first parents with vain words when he said to them, You shall not surely die. They are vain words indeed; for those who trust to them will find themselves wretchedly imposed upon” Matthew Henry

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…