Seek First – Kingdom Focused Devotionals

 “Wives be subject to your own husband, as to the Lord” (Eph. 5:22).

                Paul begins with personal relationships which are basic for the home—husbands and wives.  You will notice that Paul throughout this section deals with duties and not rights since the overriding concept is submission. 

                The wife is called upon to be subject to her own husband.  As you read this be reminded that Scripture throughout underlines the dignity of womanhood.  Man and woman alike are created in the image of God.  The New Testament lifts women to a position she did not enjoy in Judaism and in Islam.  The New Testament emphasizes that while men and women may have different roles, they share spiritual equality (Gal. 3:28).

                Nevertheless, in the family, for order and unity to prevail the husband must hold a position of spiritual leadership.  The woman is told to respect that leadership.  The little phrase “as to the Lord” does not imply that the husband has the same status to his wife as her heavenly Lord.  Rather, it means that her response to her husband is a duty performed “in the Lord.”  In Colossians 3:18 Paul phrases this way—“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”  This is behavior which is appropriate for the Christian woman.  Next week we will look at the demanding response required of Christian husbands. 

Prayer:  Father, today we pray that our homes would model Your love for Your bride, the church.  Amen

“And be subject to one another in the fear of Christ” (Eph. 5:21). 

                 When you first read this verse it may appear to be an awkward interruption but such is not the case.  It actually forms a bridge from one section to the other.  Verse 19 demonstrates that the enthusiasm derived from the Spirit is not to be expressed individualistically, but in fellowship. 

                In 1 Corinthians Paul was forced to deal with unbridled spiritual enthusiasm which was both highly individualistic but was also threatening to true fellowship.  Throughout his letters Paul insists that the key to maintaining joyful fellowship is the willingness of one person to submit to another for the common good.  Pride of position and the desire to demonstrate one’s spirituality are destructive to fellowship. 

                The importance of submission becomes evident when one does a simple word search.  He uses the term more than 20 times in his writings.  He will apply this principle in specific situations involving the family and work relationships in the section which follows, but we should not overlook the truth that every Christian must be willing to serve, learn from, and be corrected by any other believer.  Every human relationship finds its pattern and meaning under the authority of Christ. 

Prayer:  Father, give me the willingness and power to live in submission to others.  Amen

“Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Eph. 5:20).

                What is an ever present characteristic of a follower of Christ?  The answer is an attitude of gratitude.  In Romans 1:21 Paul indicates that a characteristic of the unbeliever is—“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks.”  When one comprehends the greatness and the goodness of God, gratitude will be the natural response. 

                Paul practices what he preaches.  As you read his letters you will find him giving thanks for afflictions and persecutions (2 Cor. 9:18ff., and 12:5ff).  You may be wondering how someone can give thanks for such painful events.  The answer is found in passages such as Romans 8:28.  Paul was convinced that God was at work in everything for those who love Him and are the called.  From our earthly vantage point we may sometimes wonder how God is at work in difficult circumstances and dark days.  The answer is that God works in and through every circumstance to conform us to the image of His Son. 

                It is therefore appropriate that our thanks be directed at God who has allowed us to address Him as Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Is your life characterized by gratitude?  Do you sometimes lose sight of God’s ultimate purpose to make you more like Jesus?

Prayer:  Father teach me patience and gratitude as you work through every event of my life.  Amen

“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19).

                What should replace the drunken dissipation of the old man?  The new man is characterized by exhilaration of the Spirit that leads on to song and praise.  Notice that we are to speak to one another.  The fullness of the Spirit will always lead one to find fellowship with other believers.  And anywhere believers gather you will find song and praise. 

                The psalms were originally that which was sung to the harp.  Here it probably refers to the Old Testament Psalms but also to songs like those found on the lips of Mary, Zacharias, and Simeon in the New Testament (see Lk. 1 and 2).  These were new Psalms announcing the Messiah but clearly reflect the spirit and manner of the Old Testament Psalms. 

                The hymn in classical Greek was a festive lyric in praise of a hero or Greek god.  We can detect several hymn fragments in the New Testament.  Spiritual songs may suggest an original creation somewhat like a praise chorus of our day.  The greatness and the glory of God lead believers to musical expressions of joy and praise.  Sometimes you may be so moved in worship that the melody simply floods the heart and is not audibly expressed.  When the Spirit is present there will be an outbreak of praise. 

Prayer:  Teach me to making melody in my heart today.  Amen.

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).

                One characteristic of the foolishness of the old life is drunkenness.  The use of alcohol to forget ones cares or to gain a sense of exhilaration has been a problem for generations.  The Bible consistently speaks against drunkenness.  The word “dissipation” speaks of the uncontrolled action of the drunken person. The corresponding adverb is used in the familiar phrase “riotous living” in the parable of the prodigal son.  Two issues are being addressed in drunkenness—wastefulness of life and the lack of self-control. 

                The believer would never desire to lose self-control; instead he/she desires to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.  Notice that when Paul gives a prohibition he always replaces the negative with something better.  The Holy Spirit provides joy and pleasure that far exceeds anything the world offers.  You may recall that in Acts 2 drunkenness and being filled with the Spirit are set side by side and contrasted.  The Christian should be intoxicated by the Holy Spirit.  His/her mind, actions, and speech should be controlled by the Spirit. 

                The tense of the verb is a present imperative which indicates that “being filled” is an ongoing lifelong process of surrender of one’s life to the control of the Spirit.  How does this occur?  First empty yourself of sin through confession and repentance.  Second, ask the Spirit to fill and control your life. 

Prayer:  Father, cleanse me of sin and fill me with Your Spirit.  Amen

“So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). 

                Paul repeats his demand that believers must not be foolish.  He uses a form of the verb that implies the possibility of believers slipping back into a way of thinking and behaving that is characteristic of the old man rather than the new.  If we are to seize every kingdom opportunity, we must desire understanding and the key issue of understanding is the will of God. 

                This is not only a call to action; it is a verse that gives us the assurance that we can understand the will of God.  It might help us to remember Romans 12:1-2.  Paul indicates that the believer is transformed by the renewing of the mind, enabling him/her to prove the will of God—that which is good, and acceptable, and perfect.  Doing the will of God is surrendering our life to Him so that He can manifest all that is good, acceptable, and perfect through us.  God wants to make Himself known through your life!  What an incredible truth!

Prayer: Let me walk in wisdom and prove Your will in my life.  Amen.

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). 

                Light is not only a symbol of purity, it is a symbol of knowledge.  Those who have abandoned darkness and come to the Light are now called to walk in wisdom.  The word “walk” means “to conduct one’s life.”  In 1:17 Paul prayed that his readers would be given a spirit of wisdom.  In chapter 3:10 he indicated that God has determined to demonstrate His own wisdom through His church made up of individual believers. 

                Paul is concerned about how believers conduct themselves before the world.  One aspect of the wise walk is the stewardship of one’s time.  You will find that translations vary on how they render the last part of the verse.  Some speak of “redeeming the time” others of “buying up the opportunity.”  Whatever the translation, the idea is to make full use of one’s time in the light of the fact that the days are evil.  This phrase may suggest that because the days are evil, they are under God’s judgment.  Therefore it is critical that we believers seize every opportunity to live radiantly for Christ. 

                Are you walking as a wise man or woman?   Are you seizing every opportunity to live for Christ? 

Prayer:  Help me to walk as a wise person and seize every moment for kingdom activity.  Amen.

“For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you’” (Eph. 5:14).

                Paul concludes this section on light with a relevant quotation which mirrors the scriptural emphasis of verses like Isaiah 9:2, 26:19, and 52:1.  It is possible that what Paul is quoting is an early Christian hymn taken from various Old Testament texts.  Thus we have here a fragment of a hymn which may have actually been used when new believers were baptized, since baptism and coming to Christ are both spoken of in terms of enlightenment. 

                If you study the verse closely you will discover three different metaphors for coming to Christ.  First, it is like being awakened from sleep.  Second, salvation is likened to being raised from the dead.  In chapter two Paul spoke of sin in terms of spiritual death and thus it is appropriate that he speak of salvation as being risen from the dead.  Finally, salvation is like the dawning of a new day.  This fits well with the dominant theme of light and darkness which has dominated this section. 

                Have you been awakened from sleep and raised from the dead?  Are you walking in the radiance of a new day with Christ? 

Prayer:  Father, thank You for sending Your Son to give me Light and Life.  Amen.

“But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light” (Eph. 5:13).

                We don’t need to talk about disgraceful things “done in secret” (5:12) since God will expose them by His own Light.  The word exposed suggests the idea of dragging something from the dingy corner where it hides into the light of day.  When that occurs, it is exposed for all its ugliness.  Sin, like its author the Devil, likes to veil its true self and present itself in a favorable light.  But when it is exposed to God’s righteousness, it is seen in its true form. 

                Have you noticed that Paul speaks of the work of grace in three stages, all related to the Light?  First we are exposed to the Light, then we become Light in Christ, and then we allow the Light to shine through us, exposing the evil around us.  When the Light breaks through and shines on a person it creates both crisis and opportunity.  It creates a crisis because it exposes sin and darkness and calls me to decide to dwell in darkness or come to the light.  The opportunity presented is to shun the darkness and choose Light. 

                Don’t miss the important role that you can play in bringing others to the Light.  As we receive Light, we become luminous.  The Light of Christ demonstrated through our lives, should cause others to desire to come to the light.  Our actions and our words must be consistent for our witness to bear fruit.  (This is the thrust behind the SPLASH strategy, which emphasizes Showing People Love and Sharing Him.  See splashinfo.com for more information.)

Prayer:  Father, I invite You to shine Your Light through my life, words, and deeds.  Amen.

“For it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret” (Eph. 5:12).

                Have you ever noticed that Christians are often tempted to talk about the sins of the world?  There is a certain fascination to sinfulness and wicked behavior that causes us to “want to know all the details” and then share (gossip) the details with others.  This is why the super-market tabloids and the real-life television programs generate such interest.  Let’s admit it, we find the sin of others somewhat fascinating. 

                Paul gives strict guidelines—don’t speak of the evil things done in secret.  The very mention of such vices should be offensive to people whose passion is to reflect the righteousness of God.  Think about it, when we speak of evil actions, we are actually filling our mind with thoughts which are not pleasing to a holy God.  Refusing to speak of such evil keeps us from dwelling on evil thoughts and enables us to think on “things above.”  Our kingdom goal is to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness.  Such a priority mandates that we refuse to dwell on and talk about the evil deeds of others. 

                This does not suggest that we condone evil by our silence.  As we will see tomorrow, we are to reprove evil by the light made manifest through our behavior. 

Prayer:  Father, may the Light of Your righteousness be seen in my life.  Amen.