Ephesians 5:6-11
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
partakers with them.
8.
For ye were sometimes
darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9.
(For the fruit of the
Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10. Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
reprove them.
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ll around us we see evidence of how
easy it is to produce things both good and bad. Looking at ourselves,
particularly, we get a vivid picture of the successes we've had—and the
mistakes we've made. That which decides which is created is usually as simple
as a decision. That is, a "yes" or a "no" can often mean
the difference between lasting happiness or wrenching
sorrow.
If not our manner of thinking, we
often find our conduct being that which produces our problems. Perhaps nowhere
are both more clearly illustrated than in our bearing of natural children.
Consider how easy it is to naturally reproduce beings destined to die. Each
generation, starting with Adam, procreates a doomed species—doomed because of
the actions of those who couple, combined with original sin, which reproduces
beings incapable of rising above the transgressions of their fathers. Incapable, that is, except for the Holy Ghost.
Does it not only stand to reason
that if our "union" has changed, so will the
product of the union? Well then, being united with Jesus, we are to
produce those destined to life.
One of God's purposes in saving us
is that we might be productive for Him. It would profit the Lord little, if
anything, to save an individual just so that individual might be saved. His
"profit" is to come from each individual He saves begetting others
unto His kingdom. Most will only grasp the importance of “soul-winning” by
understanding that though they may have escaped judgment, many have not. Then,
once one understands this, he must care.
Deception is the biggest element
prohibiting both concern and productivity. Certainly, most are familiar with
the deception the Enemy poses to get us to sin. Often, these things are
blatantly obvious. It is his more subtle attack that is often discounted by
many.
Satan is "making a
killing" these days by disguising the fact that concern for self is as
much a deception as sin. The deceit comes in the lie that it is necessary to be concerned about one's
well-being, physical life, and everyday situations. Particularly today, with so
many "Christian" counselors offering stress-management, assertive
training and validation techniques, one would think there is merit to the
"self-help” argument. But, the last time I checked the Bible, it still
read: "Casting all your cares upon Him; for He careth
for you."
Maladies of today's society are
detachment and un-involvement. When our fellow-citizens witness accidents and
tragedies, their first instinct is no longer to help or intervene. Selfishness
has made the difference. That is, people largely do not want to be
"inconvenienced"—whether that means going to the police station,
being summoned to court, or waiting for an ambulance to arrive. However, this
fact of course, keeps no one from expecting help when they face a dilemma.
The redeemed must be alert for signs
of callousness in themselves as well as in others. Perhaps never before has the
Church and its members seemed so shallow. You see, foolish and meaningless
things have been entertained and tolerated for so long that these are largely
the things which receive merit. After all, if garbage is what you know...
"Producing fruit for
Jesus" necessitates a commitment: a commitment to the Lord, a commitment
to truth, and a commitment to forsake self. Perhaps first of all, we must
acknowledge and accept where we stand in the Lord. If we are out of His will,
this must be admitted and dealt with.
We must also accept the truth about
who and what we really are if we find ourselves unwilling for any reason, to
tell a "loved one" about Jesus. What is the truth? That we do not
love them at all, but are more concerned about ourselves.
Try as we might to justify our methods of helping people, if we do not point
them toward the Lord, we have done nothing for them.
The only way God's people will
become more effective witnesses is to develop a desire to let others know. We
have to appreciate the fact that God has saved, delivered, healed and blessed
us enough to want others to know.
We must humble ourselves and admit
that, now saved, our lives are not so blessed because of us, but because of
Jesus. If we would, produce we must learn to praise the Lord, rather than
complain about what we do not have.
Finally, we must break the
"chain of deception" that though initiated by the devil, is
perpetuated in us. We must stop excusing our inexcusable actions, reactions and
attitudes. Nothing comes out of one that is not already there. So, if something
"bad" keeps coming out of you, it is because of what is in you.
This issue of being "saved"
must be confronted. If you are saved, you will produce righteous fruit for
Jesus. If you are not saved, you will produce fruit unto unrighteousness.
So, you say that you are saved by virtue of tongues and baptism. Are you sure?
It is what one actually does after being saved, not what was done to get saved,
which determines his active state. If you are living saved, and have lived
saved, you are saved. But, if you are "hiding" transgressions and
living life "as normal," you are living a lie. The Lord is giving
everyone a chance to be a part of the wondrous move He is about to make. Won't
you make the decision to ensure your participation in that move and your place
in eternity?