Sunday, December 09, 2012

Ephesians 5:18-20


18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down ( relax My hold on you)! [ Assuredly not!] Hebrews 13:5
    
19 Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord,
    
20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

I have made Your Name known to them and revealed Your character and Your very Self, and I will continue to make [You] known, that the love which You have bestowed upon Me may be in them [felt in their hearts] and that I [Myself] may be in them. John 17:26

In Christ we do all of these things. He may have to prune some things out of us. He may have to cause us to go through some trials or discipline us to get us there, but He will get us there. There is never any condemnation for us in Christ, Romans 8:1, and He is always faithful and reliable to cause us to be who He wants us to be. Our peace is that we are always right where our Shepherd wants us to be, Jesus is that good of Shepherd. Our journey is just that, a journey, our Shepherd is a faithful and very successful leader. We may have a ton of growing up to do, but our peace is that we are right where we need to be now, even if tomorrow we are to be somewhere else. In Christ there is never any condemnation and there is never any guilt.

For He says, In the time of favor (of an assured welcome) I have listened to and heeded your call, and I have helped you on the day of deliverance (the day of salvation). Behold, now is truly the time for a gracious welcome and acceptance [of you from God]; behold, now is the day of salvation! 2 Corinthians 6:2

Who was betrayed and put to death because of our misdeeds and was raised to secure our justification (our acquittal), [making our account balance and absolving us from all guilt before God]. Romans 4:25

In Christ we have complete victory and security. We are every bit as saved and protected as Jesus is. We are one with Him. We are His body and He is glorified in us. 

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