seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Ephesians 5:1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
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. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here's the link to the commentary.Let it not even be named among you: Paul groups together these ideas of sexual sin and impropriety, indicating that none of these are fitting for saints and should not even be named among God’s people.
Paul used a comprehensive list of sexual sins:
- Fornication (porneia), a broad word describing sexual sin.
- Uncleanness, another broad word for “dirty” moral behavior, especially in a sexual sense.
- Filthiness, which has much the same idea as uncleanness.
- Coarse jesting, which has the idea of inappropriate, impure sexual humor.
OK.... Let's figure this out through Paul's eyes. Paul was part of the Sanhedrin. He was a Hebrew Judge. Back in the days of Moses, [Numbers 11:16-17], seventy Hebrew men were chosen to be the "supreme counsel". Paul was one of the men who was chosen to be on the court in his day. Paul was a judge who judged Jesus to be dangerous. Yep, even though Paul was only part Jew, he was part of the Supreme Court of the day. So, he was quite efficient at pointing out the crimes of others.
Jesus told us to "Love One Another".
Paul calls us to shun people. We are to shun all the people on the Baltimore Block. We are to shun anyone who wears a mask or doesn't wear a mask. We are to shun anyone who doesn't look like us or talk like us or drive on the same side of the road as we do. Paul calls us to hate!!! That's why I don't like Paul. The "correctness" of his causes people to avoid Christianity.
I've heard people say "the church is full of hypocrites" and "the church is full of holier than thou morons". I've also heard evangelists' called rapists, murderers, and thieves, just like wolves in sheep's clothing.
IMHO.... a lot of people avoid "Christians" because they are "all full of themselves". Paul would have us worshipping priests who rape children, because they are priests.
So... if you want to be like Paul.... just be perfect. If you want to be like Paul.... just don't hang out with sinners. If you want to be like Paul... judge yourself to be better than everyone else. If you want to be like Paul... be the pot calling the kettle black!
If you want to be like Jesus, just be kind to one another. It's really quite wonderful.
Instruction for Christian Living... According to Paul... Part 2
