5:15-17 Walk wisely. Paul gives three contrasts in our passage for today, two of them are found here. Both point to one reality: be imitators of God and walk as children of the light (5:1, 8). That starts with prizing new life in Jesus: not being unwise, but wise; not living foolishly, but pursuing what the Lord wills.
5:18-21 Filled with the Spirit. Ultimately, the way of life that Paul envisions is found in this third contrast: our aim as Christians is not to live in the world’s ways of debauchery, but instead it is to live Spirit-filled lives. Three pictures are given of what this looks like: melody to the Lord in how you live, thankfulness to Him in all things, and submission to one another in the pattern that Jesus Himself has exampled.
The Point: The Spirit-filled life is what we are called to and what the Lord offers to us. We are to earnestly call on Him to build our desire for what He offers to His people.
Prayer: Lord, we ask for you to do what is humanly impossible when you save us; now we ask that you continue that miraculous work in our heart and mind: make us to earnestly desire all that you have said is best so that we would experience the joy of being filled with your Spirit!
Application: Pray and ask the Lord to build in your heart and mind the desire for the life described here. Ask the Lord to give what He offers so that you would have this kind of Spirit-given joy in how you follow Him and love others.
Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________
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