Living Righteously
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Ephesians 5:15-17 New International Version (NIV)
James 4:14 says that our lives are like the mist, here one moment and gone the next. The time we have here on earth is valuable. Not only is it valuable because it is short in the grander scheme of things, but because, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to live lives of righteousness so that we may reflect God to the rest of the world.
In Ephesians 4 and 5 Paul gives instructions on Christian living. Now he doesn’t mention what they can or cannot watch on Netflix, but he does give instructions on multiple aspects of our lives such as our words, relationships, emotions and sex. In all aspects Paul draws a contrast between the way of the world and the way of righteousness. God has called us to be set apart from the world in every way. Ephesians 5:15-17 reminds us to take check of the way that we live. Those hurtful words said in anger leave an impact on the receiver. That derogatory joke leaves an impression on your audience. The unforgiveness you are holding on to is in contradiction to what you profess to believe. The way we conduct ourselves as believers does not just have an impact on our own relationship with the Lord, but it impacts those around us.
The world is watching. The world watches the way we live; what we say, how we act, what we watch and read. Are we weighing our words? Do we practise the forgiveness we preach? Are we removing and running from temptations and stumbling blocks? Are the things that fill our lives reflections of Jesus or our own earthly desires?
As followers we are called to live lives worthy of the salvation we have already received. Let’s pursue righteousness in every aspect of our lives; be it at home, work, varsity, school and church, in the big things and the seemingly small things.
Father God point out the things in my life that are not glorifying you. Show me what I need to remove from my life and fill it instead with your goodness. Help me desire more of you in every aspect of my life. Help me use every opportunity you give me to the fullest. Let my life glorify and honour you. Amen.
Gabi Mostert
