I TESTIFY IN THE LORD
By Pastor Ivan Burgener
"This
I say therefore, and testify in the Lord that you henceforth walk not as
Gentiles walk (Ephesians 4:17). Spiritual growth is to be evident in our walk.
In the One Body all growth is "out of" Christ as the Head. Growth
depends on "supply," and the supply depends on "the effectual
working in the measure of every part," that is, the unity, function, and
cooperation of all members (Ephesians 4:15,16). Colossians 2:19 puts it well,
"......the Head, out of Whom all the body by joints and bands having
nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with the increase of
God." This is edifying and building up the Body Christ!
The
energy for this growth comes from God Who "works (energizes) all
things" according to His eternal purpose (Ephesians 1:11). The great
expression of the working of His mighty power was when He raised Christ from
the dead. That same power seated Christ "at His own right hand in the
heavenlies...far above all" (1:19,20). Paul said his gift for service was
by "the effectual working of His power" (3:7). And his prayer for us
was that this same power would "work in us" (3:20). Finally, we read
of "the effectual working...of every part" (4:16).
Thus
Paul warned how Gentiles walk "in the vanity of their mind, having the
understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the
ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart"
(4:17,18). Romans tells of the whole creation made "subject to
vanity" (8:20), and how Gentiles turned a deaf ear toward God. "For
when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but
became vain in their reasoning and their foolish heart was darkened" (Romans
1:21). Three times in that chapter it tells of God's response to their
rebellion. He "gave them up to uncleanness ...gave them up to vile
affections...gave them over to a reprobate mind" (1:24,26,28). This
explains their walk, "according to the course of this age, according to
the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the sons of
disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2), "who being past feeling have given
themselves over to licentiousness, to work all uncleanness with
greediness." (Ephesians 4:19.) Vanity expressed itself by darkened
...alienated ...ignorance...blindness... a dulled conscience...licentiousness...
uncleanness... greediness." Walk not as Gentiles walk!
Thank
You Lord For Saving My Soul.
ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blCfzF1_3oY
ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blCfzF1_3oY
How
God Saves Men
Believing
Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read
Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
(A 10 Minute Video)
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