Ponder this, the world stops for Jesus Christ twice a year; once for Christmas and the other for Easter. On a global scale, people stop to celebrate Him whether they realize it or not. The celebrating may come in the form of Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, yet the true meaning of the season is Jesus.
We are a few days past Easter, the momentous day that changed the trajectory for mankind. It is not a small thing to quickly put in the past and move forward to the next thing, but history reveals (especially from the Bible) that man quickly forgets his need for Jesus Christ and, indeed, moves forward ignoring God.
The Apostle Paul teaches within the pages of the Bible how to combat the natural pull to ignore God. One of his teachings is found in Ephesians 5. As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are to imitate God in everything you do, verse 1. Follow the example of Jesus by living a life filled with love, verse 2. Verses 3-4 talk about sins that lies within all of us. We must be conscious to our sinful nature and allow God to lead us moment-by-moment. Thankfulness to God helps. We are called to stop worshiping the things in this world. You will not inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God, verse 5.
Paul continues in his teaching by making sure you are not fooled by those who excuse their wayward actions. Disobedience leads to God’s anger, verse 6. Pay attention to verse 8, “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have the light from the Lord. So live as people of light!” Is your behavior revealing Jesus? Paul continues with, “Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.”10 and “Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead expose them.”11
Why is it important to not ignore God? When you go about living life how you want, you walk in disobedience. Disobedience leads to darkness, and evil resides in the dark. Paul paraphrases some Old Testament verses that teach how to abide in Christ on a daily basis, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”14 Take a minute and read Isaiah 26:19, 51:17, 52:1, and 60:1. Also look at John 5:25, Jesus says, “And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear My voice, the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live.”
So, Easter is once again behind us for another year. How did it change you from last year? The resurrection of our Lord and Savior is a continual growing lifestyle. We never stop learning, growing, and maturing. We never allow ourselves to become complacent with the Trinity in any way, shape, or form. Paul continues, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”15-17
“Be filled with the Holy Spirit,” verse 18. Make music in your hearts for the Lord, praise the resurrected Jesus Christ! And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, verses 19-20.
Paul shares how we are to be living because of Easter. Live each day with Christmas and Easter in mind, and see how God will show up in your life 🙂
Carol J German 