Galatians 1:6-7 - I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:10 - For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
Galatians 2:3-5 - But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.
Galatians 5:1 - It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:14 - For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
3 principles to help you grow in the light of Christ’s love
Ephesians 5:1-2 - Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 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.
I. Let the Gospel Help You Grow in Personal Holiness - 5:3-7
A. Regarding the way you live - v. 3
Ephesians 5:3 - But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints…
James 2:26 - For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
B. Regarding the way you speak - v. 4
Ephesians 5:4 - …and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
C. Because eternity is at stake - v. 5
Ephesians 5:5 - 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.
D. Realizing that some are trying to deceive you - v. 6-7
Ephesians 5:6-7 - Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them…
Romans 6:1-4 - What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
II. Embrace and Act Upon the Light You Have in the Lord - 5:8-10
A. Because of your new identity in Christ - v. 8
Ephesians 5:8 - …for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light…
Ephesians 5:8 - …for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord…
Ephesians 2:1-3 - And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
Ephesians 2:4-5 - But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)…
v. 8 - …but now you are the light of the world…
B. Because spiritual light can and must impact our daily walk - v. 9
Ephesians 5:8-9 - …walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth)…
Matthew 5:16 - Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
C. With hope because we realize this is a process - v. 10
Ephesians 5:10 - …trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
III. Expose Darkness so Christ’s Light Will Shine on You - 5:11-14
A. Be careful what you participate in - v. 11-12
Ephesians 5:11-12 - Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
Psalm 1:1-3 - How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.
B. Rejoice in the exposing power of the light - v. 13
Ephesians 5:13 - But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
C. Look for ways for Christ’s light to shine on and in you - v. 14
Ephesians 5:14 - For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Isaiah 60:1 - Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
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