May 8 - Filled by the Spirit

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk — not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (Ephesians 5:15-20 – Holman Christian Standard Bible)

The life of a Christian and the life of an unbeliever are contrasted here. We who follow Jesus are careful how we live; we know life is a serious thing. We want to make the most of our opportunities to do good, to save the lost, and to fulfill our responsibilities. People who don‘t know God live foolishly, allowing Satan to control them, and living in sin and reckless living. Reckless living simply means living without any rules, restraint, or self-control. But we are not like that, because we’ve escaped the domination of the devil and the desires of the flesh.

Instead of being drunk with wine and doing disgraceful things, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and do the will of God. Instead of singing bar songs, we sing to the Lord. And instead of cursing and using God's name in vain, we give thanks with all of our hearts to God our Father in the name of Jesus. Remember that you must always decide how you’re going to live. It doesn't matter if you’ve been a Christian a long time and even been filled with God's Spirit; you must still give your life to your Father in heaven every single day.

“Be filled with the Spirit” is a command to every child of God! Our bodies are intended to be temples of the Holy Spirit. The Bible defines the fruit that the Holy Spirit bears in a Christian’s life, but the filling of the Holy Spirit is the key that opens the door to the miraculous, to the exciting adventure of a victorious life, and to our being powerful witnesses for Jesus Christ.

The last sentence of this passage is so amazing, and for many, something that seems impossible: giving thanks always for everything to God the Father.  We are to give thanks not just for the good, but for the bad… for everything. How? Why? Because when we have genuine faith and have surrendered to Him, we know that good and bad will turn out for our own good. We can enjoy the good and be toughened and strengthened by the bad. The bad reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, a vital truth that many good people are oblivious to. The bad is good because it awakens Godly revolt. — This is a tough challenge, but what other option do we have?

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Remember, from now until the 19^th we’re turning our focus from our problems to God’s vision for our lives. God's vision makes our negativity and mediocre lives seem ridiculous. — May 19^th: Day of God’s Vision.