© 25 Colin Melbourne
Redeeming the Time, Because the Days Are Evil
Let’s enjoy Ephesians chapter 5 KJV;
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
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.
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.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
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.
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.
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.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Seek Revelation
Father, thank you for these precious words from your lips, grant me understanding and wisdom to apply them in my life to thrill you.
Gifts or Wages?
To those content in sin these words bring down the shutters, their spiritual ears clamp tight, and their wages mount. (Rom. 6:23a)
But for the pleasing child of God they are fertlizer for the spirit, real faith-food.
Repentance is God’s Gift
The week I was saved in January 1988, the LORD used Ephesians 5 to gently convict my girlfriend, and me, of the sin of fornication, and to cease sleeping together.
He did it firmly, through a word of knowledge from a Pastor at a Spirit-filled New Zealand fellowship that we’d visited for the first time the same day.
That divine reproof confirmed what we already sensed in our neonatal hearts, so it resulted in immediate repentance, bringing joy to all.
Praise God for the conviction of the Holy Ghost, instructing us in the way of righteousness.
Guard Your Heart
Let’s stay tender to His touch, harden not our spirits to Him, rather honour His leading because it will save us from every heartache.
When He Appeareth
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
Malachi 3:2KJV
Whilst the The Rapture Approaches believers need to reprove themselves as required by this divine chapter.
Why?
To enter Heaven?
No, certainly not.
That’s guaranteed by nothing but The Precious Blood of Jesus: The Christ.
Our good behaviour, and obedience adds nothing to His Finished work on our behalf.
If that’s a new thought to you, please try to embrace it in your heart always, because it’s a basic Gospel truth.
Every sinner faces the Great White Throne Judgment, where the question is not, “What did you do for The LORD Jesus Christ?” but rather, “Did you believe in My Word?” and “Is his name in the Lamb’s Book of Life?”
When sinners repent of unbelief in the LORD Jesus Christ, they’re baptised spiritually in the heavenly realm, by the Holy Ghost into Christ Jesus, and made brand new spiritual creations.
That alone is what entitles anyone entry into Heaven.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
It also follows that everyone who genuinely believes in Christ, honours His words and teachings, and they do their utmost to please Father God. But that has no effect on their status as a child of God: Saved by their faith in the faith of Christ.
So why should Christians reprove themselves before the impending Rapture?
To honour The LORD, to be a useful witness with evidence, and to ensure we will not be ashamed at His Appearing.
I’ve fallen short, and so have you: Because our Standard is Christ The LORD.
Especially in these final days, let’s embrace Ephesians 5, prayerfully examining our walk, and thrill Father’s Heart, longing for His Son’s appearing in the air.
If you are not yet ready for Heaven, it’s time to respond to the Good News.
What Good News?
The Good News of the good things Christ has already done for everyone.
Good news if you are a sinner, The LORD Jesus Christ has borne your sin, while you are still sinning.
Why?
So that when you repent from unbelief and believe on Him, your sin and guilt can be remitted, and your heavenly account will be made clean as snow instead of black as night.
So what?
Quit rejecting His redemption offered to you today, and accept Christ as LORD and Saviour.
The good news that God in The Flesh has not only borne your sin, guilt and punishment, but also took your diseases and sickness on Himself at Calvary.
Why?
So that as you believe on Him and follow in His steps you will be healed, set free from sickness and all Satan’s power.
So what?
So accept His redemption of both your spirit and your body and be totally healed inside and out.
The Good News that God has come from Heaven and fixed your sin problem once and for all.
Why?
Because you’re lost in sin and bound by demon power, unable to break free.
So what?
So repent from unbelief, the greatest sin of all; believe on Christ as LORD and Saviour, and you will know you are free forever, and will be welcomed into Heaven.
© 25 Colin Melbourne
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