Consistency in the Christian Life
I was a high school athlete, really, more specifically, I played basketball. My underdog mentality and competitive nature helped me be disciplined in practice. I would shoot a minimum of 300 shots each day. I did this so my shot would be as consistent as possible. The apostle Paul instructs the church in Ephesus to “pay careful attention, then, to how you walk,” bringing a sense of urgency to the church of Ephesus, and us, a particular lifestyle as Christians. In Ephesians 5:15-21, Paul communicates clearly in three ways how there can be consistency in the Christian life.
Wise Living (VV.15-16)
Intentionality in the way we operate and schedule our lives is essential in being a consistent disciple. Because Paul warns us to pay attention to how we walk, we can presume that each step, every thought, and all the decisions we make are vitally important as we follow Jesus. The reason there is an emphasis on carefully watching our step is because “the days are evil.” The battle is against our flesh that yearns for evil, yet the Spirit within us wages war as we continue to step forward on the difficult road (Matthew 7:14). As we continue to walk, we must remind ourselves that we are to “make the most of our time.” The road we walk is difficult, we must be watchful, careful of where we step, walking in wisdom and intentionality.
Submitting to God’s Will (V.17)
Seeking the will of God is imperative for every Christian. The Scriptures give us some insight on the will of God. These insights are not specific answers to personal heart-longing questions, like “who should I marry?” or “Where should I live?” or “What job should I accept?” Rather the Scriptures reveal to us that the will of God for our lives is about the people we are becoming; God’s will for you is to look more like Jesus. If Christians are focused on becoming more like Christ, foolishness flies out the window as we seek him.
The Power of the Spirit (VV.18-21)
The guidance of the Spirit of God is key to consistency in the Christian life. We are commanded to not “get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit.” Here Paul gives us a very observable and practical example of reckless living – being drunk with wine. He contrasts the influence of alcohol with the influence of the Holy Spirit. We are not to be mastered by a substance but by the Spirit of God. As we surrender to the work and power of the Holy Spirit, he is guiding us to what pleases him and makes Jesus appear glorious.
The Spirit takes what was distracted hearts and centers them on Christ and the Church. When we are walking in step with the Spirit, we are drawn to the Bride of Christ. God created us as communal beings. This means that we are our best when we are in community, and at our worst when we are isolated. Christians, led by the Spirit, are to “speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord.” Indeed, the difficult walk is a communal one. We cannot live a consistent Christian life without other believers. We are called to walk together, as the Bride of Jesus, “submitting to one another in the fear of Christ” (V.21).
The Spirit of God creates within the Christian a constant gratitude of praise to God. When the Christian takes a glance at his history, he should be shaken with the reality of grace. Jesus saves sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). This means that not one Christian can look back now on the moment of their salvation and say, “Jesus saved me because I was good.” The reality is Jesus didn’t wait for you to get good. In fact, there is no getting good with God, in and of ourselves. What we need is a savior. What we were given in that salvific transaction, where the innocent was substituted for the defiled was the Savior, Jesus Christ. Because of the indwelling Spirit, when the Christian looks back on their moment of Salvation, he can say, “thank God for his Son! Thank God for grace! Thank God for his mercy!” Gratitude is the work of the Holy Spirit.
As the apostle Paul communicates to us how to have consistency in the Christian life, may we apply the Scripture to our lives and glorify him in every aspect of our lives.
Wise Living (VV.15-16)
Intentionality in the way we operate and schedule our lives is essential in being a consistent disciple. Because Paul warns us to pay attention to how we walk, we can presume that each step, every thought, and all the decisions we make are vitally important as we follow Jesus. The reason there is an emphasis on carefully watching our step is because “the days are evil.” The battle is against our flesh that yearns for evil, yet the Spirit within us wages war as we continue to step forward on the difficult road (Matthew 7:14). As we continue to walk, we must remind ourselves that we are to “make the most of our time.” The road we walk is difficult, we must be watchful, careful of where we step, walking in wisdom and intentionality.
Submitting to God’s Will (V.17)
Seeking the will of God is imperative for every Christian. The Scriptures give us some insight on the will of God. These insights are not specific answers to personal heart-longing questions, like “who should I marry?” or “Where should I live?” or “What job should I accept?” Rather the Scriptures reveal to us that the will of God for our lives is about the people we are becoming; God’s will for you is to look more like Jesus. If Christians are focused on becoming more like Christ, foolishness flies out the window as we seek him.
The Power of the Spirit (VV.18-21)
The guidance of the Spirit of God is key to consistency in the Christian life. We are commanded to not “get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit.” Here Paul gives us a very observable and practical example of reckless living – being drunk with wine. He contrasts the influence of alcohol with the influence of the Holy Spirit. We are not to be mastered by a substance but by the Spirit of God. As we surrender to the work and power of the Holy Spirit, he is guiding us to what pleases him and makes Jesus appear glorious.
The Spirit takes what was distracted hearts and centers them on Christ and the Church. When we are walking in step with the Spirit, we are drawn to the Bride of Christ. God created us as communal beings. This means that we are our best when we are in community, and at our worst when we are isolated. Christians, led by the Spirit, are to “speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord.” Indeed, the difficult walk is a communal one. We cannot live a consistent Christian life without other believers. We are called to walk together, as the Bride of Jesus, “submitting to one another in the fear of Christ” (V.21).
The Spirit of God creates within the Christian a constant gratitude of praise to God. When the Christian takes a glance at his history, he should be shaken with the reality of grace. Jesus saves sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). This means that not one Christian can look back now on the moment of their salvation and say, “Jesus saved me because I was good.” The reality is Jesus didn’t wait for you to get good. In fact, there is no getting good with God, in and of ourselves. What we need is a savior. What we were given in that salvific transaction, where the innocent was substituted for the defiled was the Savior, Jesus Christ. Because of the indwelling Spirit, when the Christian looks back on their moment of Salvation, he can say, “thank God for his Son! Thank God for grace! Thank God for his mercy!” Gratitude is the work of the Holy Spirit.
As the apostle Paul communicates to us how to have consistency in the Christian life, may we apply the Scripture to our lives and glorify him in every aspect of our lives.
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