Category Archives: Bible Study

THE BENEFITS OF LIGHT – 15b

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Ephesians 5:15-18 NLT‬
[15] “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. [16] Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. [17] Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. [18] Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,..”

This new life, filled and led by the Holy Spirit, has considerable benefits for us. Instead of foolish, thoughtless living, stumbling along in darkness day after day, and attempting to stifle the guilt such a life produces, said Paul, let the Holy Spirit take your hand and lead you in the light.

As we have said in a previous meditation, the Holy Spirit and the Word are inseparable. To be filled with the Spirit is to be obedient to the Word by His power.

So, what can we expect from this Spirit/Word partnership in our lives? Among the many benefits that obedience to God’s Word bring to us, a few stand out for me.

  1. Understanding

‭Psalms 119:130 NLT‬
[130] “The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.”

Now that’s something we need, especially in today’s confusing and chaotic world. The more mess people make and try to fix, the worse life in this world becomes.

What God’s Word says finally makes sense against the backdrop of human ‘wisdom’. His Word answers the questions that have no answer in human philosophy, questions like “Where do we come from?”, “Why are we here?” and “Where are we going? ”

‭1 Corinthians 3:19 NLT‬
[19] “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.”

  1. Peace

‭Psalms 119:165 NIV‬
[165]”Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

What a treasure in a turbulent and insecure world! Jesus said that, in the end, fear would cause people’s hearts to fail them. This failure can be physical… death from heart failure, or spiritual… emotional paralysis, depression, and even suicide.

God’s peace is the only safeguard against fear. Those whose hope is in God don’t stumble over the bad things that go on around us or even to us, in a wicked, fallen world. Our peace comes from trusting in the truth of God’s promises no matter what.

‭Philippians 4:6-7 NLT‬
[6] “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

God’s peace also helps us stay on the path. When our peace is disturbed, the Holy Spirit ‘blows the whistle’, calling ‘foul’, and helps us correct what went wrong.

‭Colossians 3:15 NLT‬
[15]”And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts…”

  1. Hope

‭Hebrews 6:18-20 NLT‬
[18] “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. [19] This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. [20] Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.”

Paul has already told the Ephesians that, without Jesus, they had no hope. What is hope, then? It’s not wishful thinking. Simply put, it’s a picture of the finished product.

God’s Word tells us what the completed picture will look like. A new heaven and a new earth with no sin… redeemed and perfected people recreated in the image of Jesus… God and people living together in perfect harmony forever… what more could we ever want?

  1. Freedom

The world craves freedom and tries to find it by kicking over every protection to real freedom. Lawlessness doesn’t bring freedom. Lawlessness is the worst form of bondage.

Jesus, again, gives us the real solution to our quest for freedom.

‭John 8:31-36 NLT‬
[31] “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. [32] And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” [33] “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” [34] Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. [35] A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. [36] So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”

What can be clearer than His explanation? If God’s goal is to have a family of sons and daughters like His Son, free from slavery to sin, then He will achieve His goal, no matter what.

These four benefits of ‘walking’ in the light of God’s Word should be enough to keep us on track. Understanding keeps us from uncertainty, insecurity, and confusion about us and the goings on around us. Peace steadies us and guides us in all our doings and decisions. Hope keeps our eyes on our future so that we are not distracted or sidetracked from our obedience to the Word, and freedom allows us to journey with Jesus without the entanglements of sinful behaviour.

God has done everything for us to ensure that we make it to the end. Our part is to keep to the path, Jesus, the living Word, because He is the only way to the Father.

LIGHT OR DARKNESS? – 15a

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Ephesians 5:8, 11, 14 NLT‬
[8] “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!..
[11] Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them….
[14] for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Since the Hebrew people did not understand life in abstract concepts, (expressed in their language), we must understand the meaning of the symbols, ‘darkness’ and ‘light’, from their perspective.

Hebrew people would have asked, not, “What are the properties of light?” but, “What does light do?” Light reveals and exposes. Light shows us what is around us but it also exposes what darkness hides.

God is light, and the source of light. Whatever God is and whatever comes from Him, flows from His character. We know that God is good. Therefore, light must be connected to His goodness. Light for us, then, would refer to the qualities of goodness that, in His children, reflect who He is.

‭Genesis 1:3-5 NLT‬
[3] “Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. [4] And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. [5] God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.”

‭John 1:4-5 NLT‬
[4]” The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

Natural light came from God in the beginning, separating day from night, but natural light also symbolises something more. Let’s look again at Genesis 1:4.

What is this ‘light’ to which Genesis and John refer? Since the sun, moon, and stars were only created on the 4th day, light in Genesis 1:4 must mean more than mere physical light.

In his prologue to his gospel, John picks up the theme, describing the Son, Jesus, as God’s instrument for bringing ‘light’ into the darkness in the world, adding the dimension of enlightenment.

So, how can we understand the meaning of this symbol of ‘light’ that Paul uses in Ephesians 5?

Many verses in the Old Testament give us clarity. Psalm 119, in particular, is full of references to God’s Word as the source of our ‘light’, our understanding.

‭Psalms 119:130 NIV‬
[130] “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

‘Simple’ here can mean ‘open-minded’.

Psalms 119:105 NLT‬
[105] Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

In God’s Word, we find our source of knowledge and understanding for living lives that reflect the nature and character of God. The Bibles tells us, who God is, who we are, and what we need to live clean lives by obeying His Word.

‭Psalms 119:1-3 NLT‬
[1] Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. [2] Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. [3] They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.

‭Psalms 119:9 NLT‬
[9] How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.

‭Psalms 119:35 NLT‬
[35] Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.

God’s Word is also truth.

‭John 17:17 NLT‬
[17] Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

‭1 John 1:7 NLT‬
[7] But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

Since Jesus is God’s Word in person, He always, only, ever lived in obedience to God’s Word.

‭John 8:28-29 NIV‬
[28] “So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. [29] The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

His life on earth shows us how to live in the light, and His Spirit gives us the power to do so.

John 8:12 NLT‬
[12]”Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

John 1:4-5 NLT‬
[4]”The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

In simple terms, then, with Jesus as our model, and the Holy Spirit as our source of power, we can live by the instructions in God’s Word rather that by our sinful desires.

Once we understand the meaning and source of the light by which we are to live, we can get to grips with the meaning of ‘darkness’.

Physical darkness is not the opposite of light as though darkness has a physical source as does light. Darkness is the absence of light. When we remove the source is light, we have darkness.

So also, when Jesus is absent from people and their behaviour, their lives display darkness, all the wickedness and evil that darkness hides.

Paul urged his readers, then, to live their lives in line with the teachings of God’s Word (with Jesus as their model and mentor). In this way, their lives would expose the wickedness of those who don’t live by the Word.

‭Ephesians 5:1, 2 NLT‬
[1] Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
[2] Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

‭Ephesians 5:7-11 NLT‬
[7]”Don’t participate in the things these people do. [8] For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! [9] For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. [10] Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. [11] Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.”

Once again, we must remember that Paul was writing to ex-pagans who once lived in the darkness of sin without Jesus. The message Paul brought them enlightened them to the cause and consequences of their wickedness, and gave them the only solution that would free them from sin and death. Their new lives of obedience to Jesus were the evidence that they were new people inside.

So, live in the light!

PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING – 14b

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Philippians 4:6 NLT‬
[6] “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

We have some great examples of the link between thanksgiving and prayer in Scripture. The more I read the Word, the more convinced I am that prayer is about having fellowship with the Father and receiving what He has promised rather than about asking Him to do what we want.

Abraham received God’s promise of a son decades before Isaac was born. How did he endure the waiting? He certainly didn’t become impatient or lose hope as time went by. He stood on God’s promise and grew in faith. How did he do that? It’s easy to give up when nothing is happening. Abraham kept his faith growing by “giving glory to God”. As long as he was thanking God instead of complaining or even asking, he had his eyes on God, not on his circumstances.

‭Romans 4:19-21 NIV‬
[19] “Without weakening in his faith, he (Abraham) faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. [20] Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, [21] being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

David is also an excellent example of a man of God who knew how to pray.

‭2 Samuel 7:5, 8, 11, 17-18, 25-26 NLT‬
[5] “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in?…
[8] “Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel….
[11]… “‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings!…
[17] So Nathan went back to David and told him everything the Lord had said in this vision. [18] Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed, “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?…
[25] “And now, O Lord God, I am your servant; do as you have promised concerning me and my family. Confirm it as a promise that will last forever. [26] And may your name be honored forever so that everyone will say, ‘The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is God over Israel!’ And may the house of your servant David continue before you forever.”

David prayed God’s promise back to Him and God was faithful to His Word even when David’s descendants forsook the Lord and worshipped idols.

Jesus, our supreme example, thanked the Father for answering Him rather than praying for issues He confronted.

John 6:11 NIV‬
[11] “Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”

‭John 11:41-42 NIV‬
[41] “So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. [42] I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

Against the background of His union with the Father and His obedience and submission to the Father’s will, Jesus prayed His thanks, being confident that the Father would always do what He said.

What if, instead of rushing in with our crisis prayers and requests for what we want, we take time to discern the Father’s will or at least are submitted to His ways. Thanksgiving will prepare our hearts to approach Him in humility, allowing Him to be God in all situations. We are disappointed when God does not answer according to our expectations. How much better when we embrace His will with thanksgiving, knowing, as always, that He is working in all things for our good and for His glory.

AND BE THANKFUL – 14a

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Ephesians 5:17-20 NLT‬
[17] “Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. [18] Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, [19] singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. [20] And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There is a little addendum to Paul’s ‘therefore’s’ that kickstarts the process of becoming like Jesus. Unlike God’s children in the wilderness, we are to exude gratitude and thanksgiving from every pore of our beings.

Ingratitude, complaining, grumbling, murmuring against God and His people is rebellion which enfuriates Him. Every time Israel murmured against Moses, another judgment fell on the Israelites because God Himself was their real target.

Forgetting is the main symptom of ingratitude. Moses, in his messages to Israel before his death, repeatedly urged them to remember what God had done. Both in Egypt, against the Egyptians and for them, and in the wilderness for forty years, He had protected and provided for them.

Their complaints were selfish and materialistic. They lost sight of their destination and thought only of their lack of creature comforts. Their faith in God only lasted until the next test.

Their grumbling climaxed in their refusal to enter the Promised Land despite Joshua and Caleb’s assurances that God was with them. That entire generation died in the wilderness because of their rebellion.

‭Numbers 14:1-4, 9-12 NLT‬
[1] Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. [2] Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. [3] “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” [4] Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!”
[9] Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” [10] But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle. [11] And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them? [12] I will disown them and destroy them with a plague. Then I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are!”

How many of God’s people follow in their footsteps. There is always something to offend them, someone who gets in their way to the top, some situation or person who doesn’t please them, even some teaching that doesn’t suit them. Their ingratitude is infectious, casting a shadow over the fellowship and unity in the church.

Grumblers and complainers sow dissention. Paul and John have one answer for dissenters because dissenters have a dangerous influence over the church… “Kick them out! Have nothing to do with them. Don’t tolerate their presence in the fellowship of the church!”

‭Romans 16:17-18 NLT‬
[17] “And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. [18] Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.”

Paul`s counsel to the church is simple.

‭Philippians 2:14-16 NLT‬
[14]” Do everything WITHOUT COMPLAINING and ARGUING , [15] so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. [16] Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.”

‭Philippians 3:1 NLT‬
[1]” Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, REJOICE in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.”

‭1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT‬
[18]”BE THANKFUL in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

‭1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT‬
[31]”So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the GLORY of GOD .”

‭Colossians 3:15, 17 NLT‬
[15] “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And ALWAYS BE THANKFUL .
[17] And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, GIVING THANKS through him to God the Father.”

Paul’s teaching and counsel are always coloured by the instruction to have a thankful heart. Gratitude to God in every circumstance changes our perspective. Even if life goes horribly wrong, God is still in charge; He has a purpose in everything that happens; He works, in all things, for our good.

Giving thanks in all circumstances guards us against rebellion. Gratitude helps us to remember, enhances our awareness of God, puts Him in the centre of our existence, and keeps us in touch with our future. If things are going wrong now, it’s only temporary because we have a great future ahead of us.

‭2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT‬
[18] “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

So, says Paul, cultivate a grateful heart and you will be safe from the influence of people who are never satisfied. You will remain in God’s love.

Remember, thanksgiving is the language of faith.

PUT OFF AND PUT ON – 13

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Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT‬
[21] “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, [22] throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. [23] Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. [24] Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

Living this new life of faith and obedience begins with a choice. God does not force us to do His will. He provides the grace and the power by giving us His Spirit. However, we must take the initiative when the tests and temptations to gratify our old nature come.

Paul says we must change our attitude. We do this by mentally taking off our old nature as we would our soiled clothes. Then we put on the clean clothes of salvation. This means that we choose to think and act out of our new nature of faith and love, not out of the old nature of lust and deception.

Trouble us, there’s a war going on inside us, flesh against spirit. Our spirit, renewed by God’s power, wants to do the right thing but our flesh rebels against God’s will. Paul knew how deadly this battle was when he tried to overcome his old nature by himself without help.

‭Romans 7:15, 21-23 NLT‬
[15] “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate…
[21] I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. [22] I love God’s law with all my heart. [23] But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.”

We all know how horrible this battle is and how often we lose and succumb to temptation.

So, what’s the answer?

Paul learned that there is an effective way to deal with our flesh. It begins, again, in the mind, just as sin begins in the mind. A young preacher from the USA taught me that we become what we dwell on. How true is that! The more we dwell on our sinful actions and reactions, the stronger the pull to go that way.

So, says Paul, there is another more effective way to handle temptation.

Reckon, think of as true, done, accomplished! What must we reckon?

  1. That we died with Jesus when He died.

‭Romans 6:1-4 NLT‬
[1] “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? [2] Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? [3] Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? [4] For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”

We died with Jesus and we were raised again to a new life to which we testified by our baptism.

Dead people don’t sin!

  1. That we are no longer slaves to sin.

‭‭Romans 6:6-8 NLT‬
[6]”We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. [7] For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. [8] And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.”

Satan’s lie – sin still controls us. The truth is that Jesus set us free from sin’s grip on us.

Dead people are no longer slaves.

  1. That sin is no longer your master.

‭Romans 6:14 NLT‬
[14] Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

We belong to a new master, Jesus. We are under His authority, no longer under Satan’s mastery. Satan is lying when he tells us to obey him.

‭1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT‬
[19] “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, [20] for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

Armed with the truth of our position in Christ, we change our attitude from pawns of our sinful nature to overcomers through Jesus by the power of God’s Spirit.

‭Romans 7:24,25a NLT‬
[24] “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?
[25] Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…”

‭Romans 8:37 NLT‬
[37] “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”

Once again, this is a partnership between us and God. We can do nothing on our own but, once we are enlightened by the truth and we make our choice to believe God’s Word, the Holy Spirit gives us power to say “No!”
We “put on” the new nature and act accordingly.

I think it’s like making bricks. Let me explain. The brickmaker pours brickmaking material into a mould and bakes it in an oven to set it. Then he removes the mould and the brick is made.

God gives us the mould… love. We pour love into the mould by choosing to love even if we don’t feel like loving. We ‘fire’ our loving ‘brick’ by choosing to love again and again. The more we act in a loving way towards others, the more loving becomes who we are. In this way, based on what we have learned to reckon, we are putting off the old nature by putting on the new.

It might sound simple but learning to live and walk in the Spirit is a lifelong process. However, every journey begins with the first step. We must set our minds to reign over our old nature in this life if we want to reign with Jesus in His kingdom in the next life.

So, you see, it all depends on what we look at. If we keep seeing ourselves as pitiful failures, that’s what we become. If we keep looking at Jesus, our model and mentor, guess what! We become more like Him!

‭2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV‬
[18] “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”