Demonstrate your talents with integrity and humility.
| posted 1/30/2009
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Some of the greatest challenges to your faith come from daily interactions with unbelievers. Sometimes you may feel as if you come from a different planet! In a sense you do: Christians live in the world of light, and unbelievers live in the world of darkness (5:8). Paul reminded his readers about all they are in Christ (1-3) and how believers are to relate to each other (4). Here in chapter 5, he laid the groundwork for how to conduct yourself with unbelievers.
How can Paul's warnings not to let unbelievers deceive you and not to associate with such people (5:6, 7) help you relate to certain chauvinistic men at work? God has called you to be a light in your world (5:8). Men who treat you poorly because you are a woman and a Christian may see the foolishness of their behavior when you respond with charity instead of hostility and vindictiveness (5:13). Are you having trouble being kind to those who don't deserve it? It may help to remember that you, too, were once in the darkness until Christ brought you into the light of day. (See also Genesis 50:15-21; Judges 4:4-15; Isaiah 11:1-9.)
Good Words to Remember:
Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10
Today's Challenge:
When you display integrity, you'll always win.
Copyright 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.
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