Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: Ephesians 5:1-21
Ephesians 5:6-7 (NASB) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Ephesians 6:19-20 (NASB) And pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Martin Luther, a major leader in the Protestant reformation, declared, If I declare with loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of Gods truth except for that one little bit which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ no matter how boldly I am professing Christ. For the soldier to be steady on all the battlefield besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that single point.
As Paul declares in Ephesians 6, we are ambassadors. The apostle Peter wrote that Christ has left us as an example, that we would follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21). The eyes of the world are upon us, watching for a slipup. When Christians fail to be imitators of God, our witness is lost. Those around us can say, Hah! Christianity is just another religion. There's nothing different about their lives! Martin Luther was dead right about our witness. The issue of the day will be where the world watches the church. For example, Christians who supported slavery did incredible damage to the church's witness. Churches supporting slavery might have professed Christ and preached the Gospel of Christ crucified, but that witness was negated. Christians failed to speak truth when it was challenged.
Today, there are different battles being waged with the principalities and powers of this world. There are many people who will try to deceive with empty words (Eph. 5:6). As a Christian, you will be told to keep your opinions to yourself. But you can be the most solid, faith-filled Christian and disgrace Christ because you failed to speak truth in this one area of life.
Are you boldly speaking truth in the name of Christ in the battles of this age? Or do you watch from the sidelines?
Faith Lesson: Speak truth boldly to the issues of today.
In Christ,
Bryan Peters
READ: Ephesians 5:1-21
Ephesians 5:6-7 (NASB) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Ephesians 6:19-20 (NASB) And pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Martin Luther, a major leader in the Protestant reformation, declared, If I declare with loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of Gods truth except for that one little bit which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ no matter how boldly I am professing Christ. For the soldier to be steady on all the battlefield besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that single point.
As Paul declares in Ephesians 6, we are ambassadors. The apostle Peter wrote that Christ has left us as an example, that we would follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21). The eyes of the world are upon us, watching for a slipup. When Christians fail to be imitators of God, our witness is lost. Those around us can say, Hah! Christianity is just another religion. There's nothing different about their lives! Martin Luther was dead right about our witness. The issue of the day will be where the world watches the church. For example, Christians who supported slavery did incredible damage to the church's witness. Churches supporting slavery might have professed Christ and preached the Gospel of Christ crucified, but that witness was negated. Christians failed to speak truth when it was challenged.
Today, there are different battles being waged with the principalities and powers of this world. There are many people who will try to deceive with empty words (Eph. 5:6). As a Christian, you will be told to keep your opinions to yourself. But you can be the most solid, faith-filled Christian and disgrace Christ because you failed to speak truth in this one area of life.
Are you boldly speaking truth in the name of Christ in the battles of this age? Or do you watch from the sidelines?
Faith Lesson: Speak truth boldly to the issues of today.
In Christ,
Bryan Peters
