Ephesians 5 opens with an encouragingly demanding command: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Verses 3-14 follow with a blistering “let no one deceive you with empty words” condemnation of  “sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness.” Then verses 15-21 are a blessed list of things to think about (Philippians 4.8), particularly on how to live together in Christian community.  Obvious ideas for further resources are parenthesized:

–          Make the best use of the time (Don’t Waste Your Life, Piper)

–          Do not be foolish (Proverbs)

–          Understand the will of the LORD (Bible study)

–          Do not get drunk with wine (or beer, or anything else)

–          Be filled with the Spirit (Meditate, Pray, Ask)

–          Address one another joyfully (Worship and fellowship)

–          Give thanks ALWAYS and for EVERYTHING to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (remember what a great gift it is to even understand and know the gift of Jesus Christ in our lives)

–          Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Seek humility)

Amen, let it be so.