Thoughts from my reading of Ephesians during a bike ride
A few things that stood out to me when I was reading Ephesians.
The first thing that jumped out at me was the phrase in 2:1-2 "you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world" which is one that helps us to understand the extent of our need for Christ. We were not simply sick or a little bit off course, we were dead.
The next thing that it seemed the Holy Spirit was trying to get me to focus on was 4:29-32 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Here is a command from the Lord that I violate far too frequently. I pray that the Holy Spirit will work in me so that this is no longer the case. Still on the same subject was 5:4 "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." Crude joking, that I indulge in, foolish talk, there I am again. Thanksgiving, somehow I don't do that. Again, I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in me that this will no longer be the way I speak.
More from Ephesians 5:15-21 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." Here there are two things, probably related in my life. Wasting time, or not making the best use of my time for the Lord, and getting drunk with wine which tends to make me lazy and not want to do anything useful at all. Now, I don't get drunk all that often but sometimes I do drink more than I should and it is then that I don't spend time wisely.
The last thing that I felt the Lord bringing up to me was 6:5-8 "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free." Which applies to my attitude at work, and this is so hard! How can we do our jobs "as you would (to) Christ"? Lord, help me to do this also.
Of course the whole armor section in 6:10-20 is always useful but it wasn't what the Lord was trying to remind me of yesterday I don't think.