praying effectively: Walk in Love (Eph.5:1-17)

(Ephesians 5:1-17)  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says,

“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”

15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that people should wake up (5:14)

- that people should become believers (5:14)

AS BELIEVERS it is God's will:

- that we should not be foolish (5:17)

- that we do not let anyone deceive us with empty words (5:6)

- that we do not fellowship in unbelievers' beliefs and their emptiness (5:7)

- that we do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness (5:11)

- that we abstain from course jesting, silly talk or filthiness (5:4)

- that we should not even appear to be immoral or impure (5:3)

- that we should not even appear to be greedy (5:3)

- that we expose the unfruitful deeds of darkness (5:11)

- that we understand what the will of the Lord is (5:17)

- that we try to learn what pleases the Lord (5:10)

- that we are careful how we walk (5:15)

- that we walk in wisdom (5:15)

- that we walk in God's goodness, righteousness and truth (5:8-9)

- that we walk in love, just as Christ loved us sacrificially (5:2)

- that we walk as children of Light (5:8-9)

- that we imitate God because we love Him and because we know He loves us (5:1)

- that we are thankful (5:4)

- that we make the most of our time (5:16)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being our example of truth, righteousness and goodness.  Guide us in our walk with You.  Help us desire to know more of You and Your word so that we may understand Your will and what pleases You.  Guide us in Your wisdom, so that we will not be deceived or swayed.  Give us Your strength to remain steadfast in Your will.

Thank You for being our example of sacrificial love.  In every circumstance, all of the time, fill us and guide us in showing Your pure and sacrificial love to others, so that they will see You.  Thank You for being our Light.  Guide us in knowing how to shine Your light into the darkness, which will expose people of their sin and their need for You in their lives.  Amen.