A Life Worth Living

Ephesians is easily one of my favorite books of the Bible (I know, I say that a lot. There are just too many good ones to choose from!).  My love for this book really began my senior year in college when I was blessed with the opportunity to study this book with 20 of the most incredible women. This past week at the Institute I got to study this book again. There are few things that I love more than opening my Bible and rereading all of my notes from previous studies. I love how 2 people can look at the same book and learn completely different things from the same text. It really is beautiful.

 This time as I opened up Ephesians I feel as though the Lord really wanted to teach me to importance of living for Him and following His guidelines. The overall theme of chapter 5 is that we are called to be imitators of Him. By being imitators of Him we are being a light to the world and are living according to His desires.

The chapter opens by calling us to be imitators of God. I don’t know about you guys, but there are definitely areas of my life that do not imitate God- and it is my prayer that He will break my heart for what breaks His so that this changes. The chapter continues by telling us that if we claim to be followers of Him than there should not even be a hint of sexual immorality or foolish talk. It is almost frightening as you continue reading.

 “For this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person has inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God… God’s wrath comes to those who are disobedient.”
Ephesians 5:5-6

 If you are currently a follower of Christ then you once lived a life of darkness, a life without Christ. Despite the fact that I have “known” Jesus my whole life, I really lived in darkness up until my sophomore year of college. It was that year that the Lord really taught me what it looks like to be a child of light.  (1 Peter is the book that He used to reveal His plans for me).

Ephesians 5:10 tells us that as children of God, children of the light, we are to find what pleases the Lord and do those things. How can we claim to be followers of Christ and continue to do the things that hurt Him?

The type of lifestyle that we are called to is not an easy one. Ephesians 5:15-18 says be careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit.

This chapter continues by explaining the roles of a husband and wife. Verse 22 tells wives that we are called to submit to our husbands. To many this verse may make you flustered. But honestly, I love it. I love knowing that ultimately my husband is going to make many of the large decisions. I stress very easily and love knowing that the stress is lifted off of my shoulders.  When looking for a spouse, a woman should never date a man she would not gladly submit to. If he is living for Christ, his choices and lifestyle should be one that you would agree with and want to submit to his decisions. This chapter also tells husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church. As a married woman I can say that as long as my Husband loves me in this way, I would do anything for him. Life works so much more beautifully when two sinners live and serve one another in this way.