Scripture: Ephesians 5:17, NIV
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:17, NIV)
We need to know what the will of God is in order to make sure we’re living in harmony with his plan. We know the time is short. The stakes are high, with eternity staring us in the face. Are we working to convert the perishable elements of our lives into the imperishable values of the kingdom of God?
God needs us to be clean vessels so he can live and work through us:
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3, ESV)
“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21, ESV)
Next, we need to cultivate our relationship with him:
“Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you.” (Job 22:21, NKJV)
The blessing of God follows obedience to him and his will. One only has to read the Old Testament accounts to realize the truth of this statement. When Israel obeyed God, they had prosperity and peace. When they disobeyed, they had trouble.
Proverbs states this is age-old truth:
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34, NKJV)
Individually, we live under God’s grace. Sin is not supposed to have dominion over us:
“Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14, NKJV)
“So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11, NLT)
God has given the believer the power to deal with sin:
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13, ESV)
When faced with temptation, we should ask the Spirit to put to death the tendency to cave in to the temptation. Then we must quickly do the next thing God wants us to do.
Today, ask yourself:
Am I taking the steps God wants me to take to acquaint myself with him, and to make sure I am a cleansed vessel he can use?
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