Feb. 16, 2004

[Kidan]

Quote[/b] ]Arise from the dead . . .
—Ephesians 5:14

Quote[/b] ]Not all initiative, the willingness to take the first step, is inspired by God. Someone may say to you, "Get up and get going! Take your reluctance by the throat and throw it overboard—just do what needs to be done!" That is what we mean by ordinary human initiative. But when the Spirit of God comes to us and says, in effect, "Get up and get going," suddenly we find that the initiative is inspired.

We all have many dreams and aspirations when we are young, but sooner or later we realize we have no power to accomplish them. We cannot do the things we long to do, so our tendency is to think of our dreams and aspirations as dead. But God comes and says to us, "Arise from the dead . . . ." When God sends His inspiration, it comes to us with such miraculous power that we are able to "arise from the dead" and do the impossible. The remarkable thing about spiritual initiative is that the life and power comes after we "get up and get going." God does not give us overcoming life—He gives us life as we overcome. When the inspiration of God comes, and He says, "Arise from the dead . . . ," we have to get ourselves up; God will not lift us up. Our Lord said to the man with the withered hand, "Stretch out your hand" ( Matthew 12:13 ). As soon as the man did so, his hand was healed. But he had to take the initiative. If we will take the initiative to overcome, we will find that we have the inspiration of God, because He immediately gives us the power of life.

 

[Kidan]

Verse in Context

Quote[/b] ]For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God

--Ephesians 5:12-21

I don't see where he got today's devotional from the scripture. Rather it seems, the author found a scripture that had a portion that related to what he wanted to say.

But rather than discuss the devotional, I prefer to discuss the scipture.

Today's scripture, talks about our salvation. It describes what type of person we should be (especially when you take into account even more of the sourrounding verses).

To me, the most important aspect of the section quoted above is as follows :

Quote[/b] ]See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Think about this. We are to walk circumspectly (or walk with thought of the consequences) not as fools, but as wise (we are supposed to be intelligent in all tha we do). Redeeming the time, because the days are evil (we should be spreading the gospel, and attempting to stop the evil one). Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understandign what the will of the Lord is (this ties into two sentences back, where it tells us to not walk as fools. Wisdom comes from the Lord, and knowing and doing His will).

So the questions of the day are:
Are you walking with thoughts of the consequences of your actions? Are you being wise or foolish? And are you doing all in your power to redeem the times?