“⁷Therefore do not become partners with them; ⁸for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light ⁹(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), ¹⁰and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:7-10 (ESV)

This seems like a simple thing to accomplish, be good, right, and true. The reality is that it is not something that comes naturally and is easily distorted as we go through the world each day.

When I look at the full passage of Ephesians 5:1-21, I see that Paul is encouraging us to place ourselves in the company of non-believers as Jesus did in His time. I am not to shy away from them, but to infuse with them. I am to bring the word of the Lord to them each day.

Where I have to be careful is in not becoming like them or condoning their actions or lifestyles. I have to be willing to go into their world to bring the word of God to them and not expect them to come to me to start out. I have to bring Christ and not celebrate their lives and actions. I have to love them and separate them from their actions. I have to bring the “fruit of light” to those areas that are filled with darkness.

Now as I was studying this morning I found that “fruit of light” is similar to the “fruit of the Spirit” and when looked at from that perspective there is a whole open approach to how I should be around those that are followers of Christ.

“²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

When opened to the definition of the “fruit of the Spirit” the “fruit of light” is so much more actionable. It is the actions that impact those around us, not just speaking about them. I have to remember to be and act in the “fruit of the Spirit” when I am engaged with others. Those that are followers of Christ will join in and those that are not, will see and be touched by them. We should be working with the ideas for others to “do as I do”. I have to remember to be good, right, and true in all that I do.

When you are with others, what do your actions reveal? Are you joining them in their actions? What if you were to be good, right, and true with your actions as an example of the “fruit of the Spirit”?

God raised Jesus from the dead and set to the position of authority.

“²⁰that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,” – Ephesians 1:20 (ESV)

Jesus was brought to our world to bring salvation to us all, all that would receive the gift. And during this time, God was continuing to work in and through Him. Jesus preached and taught with the purpose of setting us up with those that would continue His work, the disciples. And then He was lead to death and raised join God, His Father in the position of authority over all.

“²¹far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,” – Ephesians 1:21-22 (ESV)

And not only what Jesus put in authority over all, but all that was, is, and is to come. Jesus was set to have authority over everything and as such was there to set everything right were it was to be. He was there to, as noted in my NIV commentary, “set their broken world right”. Our world was broken and is still broken as we are in it now. Jesus is there to make it right and whole again. He is the one we should be looking to for guidance. We should be seeking His counsel and His advice and His leadership to move forward and do what is right in this world.

Where are you looking to get things right? Are you seeking the counsel of those around you? What if we looked to Jesus, the one that was raised to the position to oversee everything?

There are things that I have been granted that others may not have. I have the right to be called a child of God. That right also affords me things that may cause others to stumble in areas they have not grown strong.

“⁹But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” – 1 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV)

Here Paul is referring to the idea of eating meat that had been used as a sacrifice. Those that are not strong in the faith, or who are not in the faith at all will find that to be something that is against the law and will therefore look unfavorably on those that eat. They will find themselves conflicted with what is right and how that fits into where they are and how they should proceed.

“¹³Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” – 1 Corinthians 8:13 (ESV)

I can see that Paul takes a stance to stay away from that which will make others stumble. If indeed there is someone that will or could make someone question, then it is wiser to simply stay away from it as opposed to try and explain. I may be strong enough to know the difference and understand that I answer to God and not man, they may not and it is my role to bring them closer to God and not drive them away.

I have to be careful with my right as given to me by God. I have to understand that those around me may be struggling with something and therefore may not be in control or know the full consequences of their actions. Whereas it is my responsibility to tell them and educate them, I should abstain in the moment while explaining and educating later when the temptation for them is not immediate.

I have rights that have been afforded to me by God and my relationship with him. Those rights are between God and me and I am the one that understands them. Until those around me are able to understand them, then I should be careful not to cause them to be tempted or to stumble.

When you are in the company of others, what thoughts do you have about them? Are you only concerned with yourself? What if you were more careful with your rights and guarded them to be between you and God until you are sure that others understood their rights?

I know, this title is contradictory to another post I have titled “You have the right to become a child of God”. So how does all of this fit together if they are contradictory of one another? Well, it is simple, God is in control of everything.

“²¹Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?” – Romans 9:21 (ESV)

I see here that God makes us all. He is molding us into that which has a purpose. He is the one in control of the molding. I am nothing until I have been formed and then from there I take on the role I am designed.

“²⁰But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?’” – Romans 9:20 (ESV)

As the one being molded, I have no say in what my purpose is/was. I do have a say into how it all plays out based on what I receive and believe. This is where the contradiction in the two posts I have made are reconciled. I have the right to becoming a child of God once I have met the condition required. I also have the right to become something else, once I have met the condition required.

I have to meet the conditions required and those conditions are handed down to me by God at the appointed time. Once they are handed down, I have the decision to meet them or reject them. If I choose rejection then I will not receive that for which I was reaching. When I receive and meet the conditions, then I will be granted.

I have no “right” for anything as I am a sinner. I do have conditions to meet and when I do I am granted the reward that God has in store for me. Those conditions as noted in a previous post are simple in form, but difficult in function to meet. Receiving and believing are all that is required and yet the vast majority of people reject that condition as “too hard” or “outrageous” in concept. As a result of the rejection, the reward is not granted.

We have a right but we do not have a “right”. We all have the opportunity to receive and believe, and we all have the opportunity to reject. We do not get to decide what we are (as created by God), but we do get to decide what we become as a result of that which we receive and believe.

When you look at it, what do you receive and believe? Are you of the thought that you deserve something from God? What if we took the approach that we are who we are and need to receive and believe to achieve?

What a great statement to hear as we go through life. I have a right to be a child of God? Yes I do.

“¹²But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” – John 1:12 (ESV)

And there you have it. From the word of God, He gave us right to become children of His.

There is a condition that must be met. I know, what is that condition and what is it I have to do or give up to meet it and become a child of God? Well, look there at the first part of the verse above and you have it, “receive him” and believe “in his name”. Yes one has to meet these conditions and you be able to become a child of God. Yes, that is all. You have to accept Him and you have met the condition.

I get excite at the prospect of becoming something and a child of God is something to really get excite about. The fact that there is really only this condition to meet, makes it even more exciting.

Easy as noted may not be easy as action though. One must fully receive and fully believe. This means that you may have to give up something or a lot.

“²¹Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heave; and come, follow me.’” – Matthew 19:21 (ESV)

As Jesus spoke to this young man who had immense wealth, He made it clear that to follow Him he would have to be willing to give all of that up. We must give up that which is from man to receive that which is from God.

“²⁶But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” – Matthew 19:26 (ESV)

We have to stop looking at things from our point of view and view them as God does in order to receive Him. We can receive Him in word, but to receive Him in heart, we must fully believe in Him and accept that He will provide all for us regardless of what we have or want here in this world. In order to become a child of God we must fully receive Him and fully believe in His name.

In this world, where are you relying for all that you have? Are you holding on to your possessions as you look to become a child of God? What if you were to simply fully receive and believe in Him and allow God to give to us and grant us all that we need?

“³But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:3-4 (ESV)

Transparency is something I know that I am taught and teach in my role as a corporate training professional. I have read and studied on that topic and truly believe that it is the best policy to let others know what you are doing and the reasons for it. It is vital to the health of an organization to allow others to see and know the work that is being done so they are able to assist and feel a part of the work, not just being asked to do the work.

And this is also a sticking point as to being outspoken about all that we are doing. It is important to allow others to see what is taking place so that they are able to take place themselves. What is being said here by Jesus is to guard against the seeking of rewards here in this world. We are to do what is right for His sake and not our own. It is not important that everyone see what we are doing and frankly we should not be drawing attention to ourselves or the actions we are taking. Boasting about “all of the charitable work” one is doing and showing all that which comes from it is self-aggrandizement and a demonstration of putting your work ahead of the charitable work. We should be doing what is right by God and allow Him to provide the reward for our actions.

It is great to celebrate the solving of a problem or providing for a need. It may even be a great idea to draw attention to the problem or need to drive others to help out where they can. But that is where we have to be careful. It is not about our work on that problem or need. We should draw attention to the problem or need and not our role in that. We should be careful to not make it about us. It is about the need or problem and who is there to solve it should not be of consequence. The person or organization that is to solve the problem or need should not be the point of the action taken. There does not need to be an awards ceremony or a press release to honor those that helped, only the celebration of the solving of the problem or provision for the need. The who should be secretive and known primarily to God as he will reward you for the work.

What role do you play where problems are presented and needs are found? Are you willing to help only if you get the credit for the work being done? What if you just do the work of God in secret and present the need for more work to be done in the interest of solving the problems and providing for the needs?

This morning I read in Hosea a verse that I have looked at before, by the notes left in my bible. I am continuing my study of the word “right” and this passage leads me to the LORD’s ways being right.

“⁹Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.” – Hosea 14:9 (ESV)

The title of my thoughts this morning tell the obvious story behind this verse. I will say that where obvious, it is not something that is or would be easy to act on. I like to think that as a Christian, I am walking in the way of the LORD, but even as a Christian, I am still a sinner and as such find myself a transgressor and will stumble.

I mentioned above that I had been to this verse in a study once before and my notes indicate so. Here is what I wrote: “See your path forward with the light of the LORD. Avoid the stumbles where we can.” I will still stumble in this world. I am a transgressor and a sinner. I may stumble through life in this world, but I should be doing so as I walk in the LORD’s way. I stand upright with God and am proud of my heritage with him, but I also know that I am a sinner and will continue to struggle with the workings of this world.

I have to remember that this world is not my destination, but my work environment. Any work that I/we do has good days and bad. I have to look for the good days, however know that those bad days are going to be there and I have to find the way to power through the stumbles and get right back up, dust myself off, and walk upright in the way of the LORD. Whatever struggles there are on the path are worth the struggle when you consider the destination I am headed to in the end. Walk in the way of the LORD and work through the stumbles as a Christian they will be fewer than we think.

What path are you experiencing every day? Are you walking in the way of the LORD? What if you did and experienced the stumbles (knowing they will be there as a sinner) to experience the glory that awaits as a Christian?

“¹²There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” – Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)

I am sure that most have heard the saying, “If it seems to good to be true, then it probably is.” Well, that is what I get here in this verse from Proverbs. I have a number of times been going down a path and realized that things are progressing a little to easily and without much to stand in the way. There is a false sense of success as we move through things without much difficulty. We start to develop a “big head” at the wins and consider ourselves untouchable.

And then we reach a point and everything falls apart. We never saw it coming and did not prepare. We are “blindsided” by our own inability to see thanks to the rose colored glasses we are wearing that shield us from reality.

I have to remember that things that are worth having or pursuing are always going to be difficult. I am not going to be able to go on “business as usual” to achieve. I will have to give of myself and work for that which is the path God has in store for me.

Yes, salvation is a gift and is given freely from God to me. All I have to do is wholeheartedly accept the gift and then stay with God the rest of the way. This is not the easy path.

“¹³Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. ¹⁴For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” – Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)

Jesus says the above and we should certainly take heed. Again, those things that seem easy enough, we should be weary of and question. That easy does not mean that something will go sideways, but the likelihood is higher as the “wide” and “easy” are just what the evil one is bringing to get us off track with God.

The big take away here for me is that I have to be on guard for that which seems to good to be true. I have to watch for the easy way and prepare for what might be coming in it’s place. Just because it seems right, does not mean that it is right.

When you are progressing through something, what is your reaction when things are going a little to right? Are you looking for the easy path as your move forward? What if we instead, embraced and understood to be careful when things seem right?

What a loaded statement and one that does not provide much help in understanding. Well let’s take a look at Proverbs.

“²⁵Let you eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. ²⁶Ponder the path of your feet then all your ways will be sure. ²⁷Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” – Proverbs 4:25-27 (ESV)

In looking at these verses, I get a bit more clarity as to what it means to stay on the right path. It is up to me to start down the right path before I can stay on it. I have to find the point that I am striving to get to, as noted in verse 25 above. Then I have to “ponder” or “carefully consider” (CSB) every step I should be taking. And then finally I have to stay the course.

All of this starts with verse 25 as I wrote above. I have to know where it is I am looking to go. I have to have a destination and then in order to reach that destination I have to be sure a map things out for my journey. Jon Gordon writes in his book “Training Camp” about taking out the “telescope” to look into the distance at where it is we are looking to go. Have that far off vision of what it is we are working to accomplish.

After we have determined where it is we are looking to go, it is time to map out the route we are going to take to get there. It is important to take a critical look and plan accordingly to avoid missteps along the way. I have to take a close look at the path to achieve and then work to stay the course as there will be the firm and solid path to reach the goal God has for my life with Him.

And finally, I have to remember to stay the course as noted in verse 27. I have to stay straight toward the goal. There is evil and destruction on all sides of us. When I am following with discipline the path set out, I am more likely to avoid the significant challenges that will be presented. And that is the thing, more likely to avoid. I am going to be tempted to step off the path and it is that discipline that will keep me moving toward God.

Will there be times that sin will drag or knock me off the path I have set out to follow, of course. It is the discipline to follow the path that will aid in my avoiding the significant challenges and will lead me back to the path God has for me. I have to keep my eye through the telescope and know that I am working toward the vision that God has for me to achieve. I have to conscious of and working toward staying on the right path.

When you think about the path you are on, where are you focused? Are you looking to reach a particular goal, or just looking to move? What it you found and focused on staying on the right path that leads to and is for God?

“¹The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’” – Psalm 110:1 (ESV)

I was confused as I began reading this morning. Being referred to as Lord is kind of a big deal. It was not until I dig into the commentary that it makes more sense. I am reading Davids account and as the anointed king he was a Lord of the land and simply identifies himself as such. This helped me to understand more of the verse and passage.

David was a Lord by account and therefore was in a position of authority and power. He was certainly capable of doing things for himself and protecting himself from the likes of his enemies. But, take a look at the verse and how David relies heavily on God to do the work. David states that the LORD God says to him. And that is where the importance is as I see it. David is acknowledging his place with God. David is the receiver of the protection and not the giver. He is given the place of honor as God deals with all that is before him in the world. Even in his powerful stature as king, David was still under the authority and protection of God and he was excited to be there. He celebrated the idea that God was there to protect and fight for him to defeat his enemies.

David knew his place and where he fit into the kingdom of God. Yes, David was a king himself and he was the anointed one and a man after God’s own heart, but he was still just a man and needed God just the same as we do each and every day. I have to remember my place as I continue to go through this world myself. I am just a sinner in this world and I have to submit to the LORD in all that I do and remember not to place myself in His position at any time. I am just a man and the LORD is the LORD.

Where do you consider yourself in the world today? Are you one that considers yourself above the fray and in those positions that are greater than others? What if you were to submit to God and know your place as that of protected as opposed to protector?