The Deception of Empty Words

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience" (Eph. 5:6).

- Ephesians 5:6

John Calvin, in his commentary on Ephesians 5:3–5, offers the church a helpful reminder of the difference between repentant sinners and those who obstinately continue in their transgressions. He writes: "When men have repented, and thus give evidence that they are reconciled to God, they are no longer the same persons that they formerly were. But let all fornicators, or unclean or covetous persons, so long as they continue such, be assured that they have no friendship with God, and are deprived of all hope of salvation." There is a difference between those who profess Christ, seek to mortify the flesh, and occasionally sin, and those who profess Christ but celebrate their sin. The latter group — the impenitent — has no share in the Lord's kingdom. On the other hand, Jesus receives with open arms those who hate their evildoing, even if they sometimes fall (1 John 1:8–9).

Let us always remember this when we consider Scripture's teaching on the fate of the sexually immoral. Only "the sons of disobedience" receive the wrath of God (Eph. 5:6). Sons typically bear many of the physical and personality traits of their parents; thus, the sons of disobedience have their father's nature. They reflect their lineage consistently, relishing their sin, even demanding that others approve of it. These individuals show no desire for repentance, and they have no place in Christ's body. Converted people, however, have "become children of God" (John 1:12). They are "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4) and are being slowly conformed to it over their lifetimes. Such individuals resist temptation, hate it when they sin, and never seek approval of their transgressions. We gladly welcome these men and women in our churches, for they are recovering sinners just like us.

Today, many churches look the other way when there are cohabitating unmarried couples in the congregation. Entire denominations consecrate impenitent homosexuals as pastors. These are examples of those who attempt to deceive the church "with empty words" — words devoid of gospel truth (Eph. 5:6). They are engaged in a deadly business, providing false assurance to many and rejecting Jesus' demand for faith and repentance (Mark 1:14–15). If these leaders continue in their lies, they have a dreadful judgment awaiting them (James 3:1).

 

There are men and women struggling with sexual sin in all of our congregations. They want to please God and are seeking to mortify the flesh, and we should do all that we can to help them. This means creating an atmosphere where repentant sexual sinners feel that they can share their burdens without being seen as scum. If we are honest about our own sins without seeking to excuse them, other repentant sinners will feel welcome among us.

Passages for Further Study

Psalm 41:4–7
Proverbs 12:19
Galatians 6:1–2
Ephesians 2:1–3

Therefore Be Imitators Of God

Just a little study I did answer the questions for your self enjoy.

Ephesians 5:1-21

Eph 5:1-21

1 Therefore
be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Think about these 4? While we read some verses.

1 Therefore be imitators of God, Why?

2 What's it mean to put off the old self? Or as the NKJ translates it the old man

3 What's it mean to put on the new self or new man?

4 Why do we need to do this? Change from old to new.

Look up

EPh 2:4-5

Eph 5:8

Col 1:21-22

2 Cor 5:17-21

Eph 4:1-6

Eph 4:17-32 now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!-- 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self,a which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. EPH 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

 

Eph 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-

Eph 5:8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Col 1:21-22 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

2 Cor 5:17-21 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin,( Heb 9:28 Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.)so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Eph 4:1-6 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

So what's it means to put off the old self?

To not act like we did before we had salvation , that could include ,attitudes ,the way we speak to others , things we do,ect ect ect.

When you repent it means to turn away from .To no longer continue to live the habitual lifestyle that is displeasing to God.

Why do we put off the old self and put on the new self?

Even if you think you're an old, young, or somewhere in between Christian we are AMBASSADORS of CHRIST.

Why do we need to be imitators of God?

Compare: Gen 1:26a Then God said, "Let us make mana in our image, after our likeness.

Eph 4:24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Whats it mean to be imitators of God?

1 Cor 2:16"For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

 

 

Part 3 Heaven is for real my last thought on this book

OK this is it ,I think everyone who has read my blog knows I do not like the book .Heaven is for real.I don't need to say any more .Its a ok read but not valid as truth of the Word (my opinion) If someone comes to Christ because of the book then finds out it not exactly true  ,then what ? I would not recommend it to non believers or believers that are not solid in their faith..So for what its worth I don't recommend it. Thanks for listening.

New subject coming soon!

Heaven Is For Real Review Part 2

Colton says Jesus wears Purple and white. but Rev 19:13 speak of a robe dipped in blood.
Colton say's Jesus wounds are visible.Well sure they are Christ showed them to Thomas

John 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."If He had his wounds after his resurrection then we need to ask was Christ in his glorified body at resurrection or was it at his ascension to Heaven ..I'm going to say at resurrection and because he had his wounds here of course he would have them in Heaven. Colton said everyone has wings .Really ! Christ is our example in every aspect of Christianity even being resurrected. In our glorified bodies.There is no mention of wings. Lets take a little rabbit trail. How do we know angels have wings? We know the 4 living creature ( Seraphim )did they had six wings and full of eyes all around Rev 4:And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" These creature ,if I remember right are a type of angel. So do all angels have wings? Cherubim have wings Ex 25:20a The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings.,Seraphim have wings six wings I think these are the same creatures in Rev 4  Above him stood the seraphim. Isa 6:2 Each had six wings:  with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. Then there are 2 woman that have wings like a stork Zechariah 5:9 Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, two women coming forward! The wind was in their wings. They had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven. This is the only time a female is mentioned as a possible angel ,there is debate about this just one interpretation or two.One school of thought is these woman are some sort of Heavenly being  possibly angels , the other is these are demonic beings because the woman in the basket is called wickedness and the wings are described as stork wings ,a stork is a unclean bird . So is there any more references to angels with Wings.Not that Ive found.That doesn't mean there isn't but I didn't find any.So to say that all angels have wings by the examples we have ,then we need to ask two wings or six or do the description above just apply to the angels mentioned.I think it just apply s to the ones mentioned.besides angels are spirit so why wings? To get back to the original remark from Colton "everyone has wings " NO!  Christ is the example this will end part two part three to come sometime next week.

Thoughts on Is Heaven For Real Part 1

The book Is Heaven For Real  My review and opinion
I read this book because so many Christians are going nuts over it. I don't read Christian books without the Word near by or in hand..There have been a lot of Christian fads that have come and gone.One I remember was the 'I found it 'slogan or how about " one way"or "WWJD" not that they are bad but books do the same thing as these slogans.People will read them and just except what it say's just because their a pastor or they have written so many book or just because its a big seller .non of  those reasons are  good enough to say the books correct and true. So here I go .

My likes
Its one that is written to be a good read with out having a dictionary at the  ready to see what the words mean.It read smoothly and flowed well.It shows how even pastors are not above questioning God and why he would allow this medical emergency to happen.Its a quick read.

My dislikes
First there are somethings that are not verifiable. I DO NOT believe that there is new revelation that Gods word could not prove to be true.So with that in mind if it can't be validated then its not correct. Gods WORD is my only AUTHORITY!


Can't find anything that say's Jesus's horse is multi colored .There are diffrent color horses mentioned in scripture Rev 6:2 white horse ,Rev 6:4 red horse ,Rev 6:5 black horse ,Rev 6:8 pale horse (yellowish green)  ,and Rev 19:11-16

The Rider on a White Horse

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in^d blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
This is Jesus's horse. Its white nowhere in the text is there a multi colored horse. 
Angels singing   to little Colton ,well I thought I find a verse or two speaking of angels singing and I thought of Luke 2:13 but no it says "praising him SAYING  ,so how about the four living creatures in Rev ,.....nope they are SAYING Holy Holy Holy,.The ESV uses the word Angels 91 times and Angel 204 times and in all them none speak of Angels singing The Greek doesn't interpret praising or saying as singing. So do angels sing I would think so but the Bible as far as I can find does not mention Angels as singing.


Sitting on Jesus's lap well maybe Jesus liked children and said basically  having faith like a child you can get into Heaven (my loose translation) he also said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16.
The next couple of things  seeing John the Baptist and being told by Jesus that his cousin baptized him.sure we would see others and probably meet everyone , but are you sure he has never heard about Jesus baptism(dads a pastor)
Rev 19:12 On his head are many diadems I can rationalize this whole book this boy has been in church all his life and his father is a pastor,so to say Jesus has a crown is not a shock when colton says it as a matter of fact.