Return to the Spirit-filled Life

Ephesians 5:1-2  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;  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.

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Eph 5:3-7  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partners with them.

-in slightly plainer english-

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.”

–Pastor Ward Clinton

TAGALOG – Talking About God And Living Out Grace

Every Christian is, in all actuality, a theologian.  Imagine how blessed our world could be if every Christian were a good theologian in the distinctly Christian sense.

There is very much a need for “the Church” to again proclaim and live the message of Christian holiness.  Collectively, it have been, for quite some time now, living far below the standard that it has been called to.  The people of God must once again become “salt and light” especially in this hour of spiritual darkness.  Our lives must become “reruns” of the life of The Christ, that is, lives fully surrendered to the Father’s will, cleansed and filled by His Holy Spirit.  Christ-like men and women are very urgently needed at this time, in this hour.

God has always intended for His people to be a holy people.  The Holy Bible is pretty clear about that.  God has designed a plan whereby the heart of His people can be cleansed from all sin.  Some can’t see that because they don’t want to see that fact.

1st Thessalonians 4:7 “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”

God did not call us to imitate a sinful man but to be like, to imitate, the Holy One of God, Jesus The Christ.

1st Corinthians 3:3 “You are still worldly.  For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly?  Are you not acting like mere men?”  We are called to be imitators of Jesus, the holy one of God, and not like mere sinful men trying to make excuses for being sinful rather than living better lives than that.  We are called to have a better understanding of God and an acceptable walk.  1st Peter 1:13-16

“Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your pope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as He who called you is holy, so be ye holy in all that you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'”

Christians are supposed to stay clean while living in an unclean world;  Jesus did not compromise with the world, He remained holy and sin-free and we are to follow his example — not the devil’s.

1st Thessalonians 5:23-24 And may the God of peace Himself fully sanctify you, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is the One calling you, who also will perform it.

Walk in the paths of holiness of heart and life, the world secretly longs for us Christ followers to do that.  Sure they may give us grief for it, but if we do not falter, some of them will join us in that walk, the only walk that is acceptable to the one true God, the God of Father Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Then, when we Talk About God And Love Others Graciously – they will see something special and understand.

–Pastor Ward Clinton