(Eph 5:4 “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”  Here the focus seems to be on verbiage.  We have so much to be thankful for! I wonder if we do not rob God by not sharing with others what the Lord has done for us. I’m not referring to bragging or boasting, but thankful giving of praise to the Lord! Do we have to wait for the preacher to ask, “Does anybody have something they would like to praise the Lord about?”   

(Eph 5:3) “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;”   Yesterday I addressed the reputation of our Beloved Savior. Today I wish to address our own reputation. There is a union of believers in the local New Testament Church, so much as when one is not there it hurts us spiritually (1 Cor. 12). Here we are told to not let such vileness be once named among us. Why not? It also affects our reputation! The Church is not a “name” nor a building, but people saved and serving the Lord. Hurt its reputation and you hurt all the brothers and sisters there! ?  

(Eph 5:3) “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;”  It should grieve us when those who profess to love the Lord put themselves first in such manner as listed here! The Name of the Lord Jesus is blasphemed through us, as written: (Rom 2:23) “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? (24) For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”  I wonder why it is that we are not as grieved over such things as we would be if the person’s reputation nearest us was so ruined?

(Eph 5:1) “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; (2)  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”   This says our act of loving others through the Spirit of God is a sweet-smelling savour to God. Our Lord’ love is not just on our behalf, bearing our individual sins, but also for that person you are directing His love towards. God help me to love in this way!  

(Eph 5:1) “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; (2)  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”  I wonder if we seek to walk in love all the time, or only when we meet up with a brother or sister from the church. Love is to be our way of life. We are to be loving towards even the lost out there, no matter if they are someone we have targeted for presenting the gospel or not. Love is not God’s love if it does not focus on all. 

 (Eph 5:1) “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”  It is a fact that subconsciously ever child needs the praise of their parent. The father sets the standard before his son of what a man should be. When I was a child, I wanted to be manly like my dad. As God’s child, I want to be like my Father. I want His approval. I want to please Him! Just as our earthly fathers and mothers gave us examples to follow in their actions, we have both the actions and the written decrees in our Bibles to learn and follow. Are you a student of the Word, a follower of your Father?

(Eph 4:31) “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: (32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”

Here we have the actions which will either grieve the Holy Spirit Who lives within us or will bless His existence within us! God help us to love Him so much we would choose godliness over our flesh!

(Eph 4:30) “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” How is it we can grieve God the Spirit? The key is the word, “Holy”. When we think or do that which is contrary to holiness, we grieve the Person Who’s complete being and desire is holiness. God help us to desire to please our God in all things!

(Eph 4:30) “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”  The Lord has so determined to do in reality that which is seen in the Old Testament. There when the tabernacle was finished and assembled, the Lord descended and abode on and in the tabernacle. He literally dwells “in” each Born Again Child of God! The Holy God of the universe lives inside the saved! He has determined to stay there as long as you live in this body. Is it no wonder that when this body dies and He leaves that He takes our soul and spirit with Him?