“Livin’ Large is experiencing the new life we have in Christ. It is living the Christian life in the power of the Holy Spirit and it is practicing (Ephesians 4-6) our position (Ephesians 1-3).”
Ephesians 5:15-21
15 Look carefully then how you live, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19addressing 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.
This passage exhorts us to live wisely. This is the fifth in a series of over-arching commands, from the book of Ephesians, on how to live the Christian life. The Christian life is a supernatural life. It is Christ’s life in us lived out in the power of the Holy Spirit. When we believe the gospel not only do we receive the gift of eternal life but we also receive a new nature. We become new creations and this newness is increasingly expressed in a life of sanctification. Following Christ we experience Livin’ Large.
Read over Ephesians 5:15-21 and notice the characteristics of living wisely. This new life involves:
• Making the most of our time
• Understanding the will of the Lord
• Being filled with the Holy Spirit
• Expressing praise and thanksgiving to God and one another
• Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ
Take some time to reflect on each of these characteristics. Ask yourself and God how consistent you are at living wisely in each of these areas. Wherever you fall short, thank God for His forgiveness in Christ and ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit to implement that truth into your new lifestyle. It is the power of the gospel that saves us and it is the power of the gospel that enables us to live the Christian life. Livin’ Large is living wisely.