Tag Archives: Bible

Before your head hits the pillow

Living in the Light

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The Bible is the best textbook, the best life instruction book ever written. Written within its 66 books and 1,189 chapters is the cure for all hurt, the remedy for all failings, and the recipe for living a life filled with joy and peace. It is up to each of us to decide whether we want to fully envelop ourselves in this great instruction book or if we want to make a go of it on our own.

Ephesians 5:1-20 teaches us how to live in the light of Jesus Christ. Stepping out of the darkness and into the light can be scary. When we see our own sin, stepping into the light can be very convicting, but this is exactly what Paul instructs the Christians of Ephesus to do. This brief text gives us six keys to living in the light.

1 – Follow the example that Christ God gave for us in everything we do. (vs. 1)

2 – Live a life full of love for others. We must love others just as Christ loved us. Christ loved us so much that He laid Himself down as a perfect sacrifice. John 15:13 states – Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (vs. 2)

3 – Let there be not a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed in us. We should not speak obscenities; we should have no foolish talk or coarse joking. But rather we should be filled with thanksgiving. Paul continues that we can be sure of this: “no immoral, impure or greedy person – such a person is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” (vs. 3-5)

4 – Don’t be deceived by the empty words of those who sin around you, who try to justify their sin in an attempt to make it seem right. Don’t be partners with them. My concordance says – Do not partake with them in their sins, that you may not share in their punishment. (vs. 6-7)

5 – You were once in darkness but now you are in light. Live in that light and show the fruit of that light which is goodness, righteousness and truth. Have nothing to do with those who seek to do wrong but rather expose them. (vs. 8-9)

6 – Be careful 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 all of this with thanksgiving to the Lord (vs. 10-20)

The instructions for living in the light are clear. God wants to make things clear for us. He does not want confusion in our lives. So if you wish to walk in the light, to live in the light, follow this simple recipe – Follow Christ’s example, live a life full of love for others, stay away from immorality, and even those crude jokes you may like to tell, don’t be greedy, don’t be pulled into doing wrong things by people who are still living in the darkness, live a life full of goodness, righteousness and truth, and be wise, making the most of every opportunity. And do all these things with thanksgiving on your lips.

If you live each day with these six points as your model, your life will be free from confusion and drama, your heart will be full of joy, and you will experience immeasurable peace granted by none other than the King of the Universe!

Before your head hits the pillow

Five Solas

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

Five Solas

I have posted this in the past but some interesting recent theological discussions have stirred me to post it again tonight.

I would be lying if I said that I didn’t contemplate long and hard before deciding to post this tonight. I don’t particularly like confrontation. That being said, I won’t run from it either. For those of you who have read my nightly posts for quite some time it should be evident that I hold to a reformed theology. I believe that we are saved by grace alone and that NOTHING we can do will contribute to our salvation, it is a gift from our Lord.

The Five Solas were at the heart of the 16th century reformation. These five solas are the bedrock of my personal faith. They precisely describe what I believe about salvation, the Holy Scriptures, and our God.

Solas is the Latin phrase for solo. When you sing a solo, you sing alone. When you fly solo, you fly alone. These five solas describe five solo truths of reformed Christianity.

The first is Sola Scriptura or Scripture alone. The Bible should be our sole authority on which we interpret everything else in our lives. How we behave with others, our political leanings, and the raising of our children all needs to be pressed against the scriptures to obtain truth. All 66 books of the Bible are the inspired Word of God through the work of the Holy Spirit given to those persons selected by God Himself.

2 Peter 3:16-17 tells us – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The second is Sola Fide or faith alone. We are saved by faith alone through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are not saved by our own good works but good works are demanded of those who are saved.

The thirds is Sola gratia or grace alone. We are saved ONLY by God’s grace. No matter how “good” a person is if they do not understand that the faith instilled in them is from God and the grace rendered to them is from God they will not be saved.

Ephesians 2:8 is a great verse to demonstrate saving faith by God’s grace. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is a gift from God, not a result of works, so that no one my boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Yes we are created for good works, but we are NOT saved by them.

Solus Christus or Christ alone. We can ONLY be saved by believing in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for our sins. Nothing else can save us. There is no other. Paul told the jailer this in Acts 16:31 when he asked how he could be saved, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”

And the last is Soli Deo Gloria or to the glory of God alone. We are here on earth to glorify God, not to heap praise and glory on ourselves, the newest American Idol, or the latest and greatest tele-evangelist. Our praise is to be reserved for God only. Our main mission in life should be to bring glory to God. We bring Him great glory by serving Him and serving our fellow mankind.

I Corinthians 10:31 states, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it to the Glory of God.” The Westminster Catechism says that the chief purpose of our lives is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

I am thankful for these five solas. I am thankful that my salvation does not rest on me being good enough for if it did, I would certainly be doomed. I am thankful that God has given us faith and the free gift of grace. I am thankful that He is a loving God who gives us the path to salvation in the Scriptures and I rejoice in the opportunity to glorify God and God alone. I hope you are thankful as well!