Weekly Devotional 3-8-21 We Are Not to be Partakers of Evil.
As I have written in previous devotionals, God the Holy Spirit regenerates a person to spiritual life and, it is He who separates (sanctifies) us unto a holy walk. But, as mentioned we have a part in our sanctification, not its commencement but by being obedient to those things that He sets us apart to, not the least of which is avoiding participation in an ungodly walk.
We read from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians: 1Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 therefore do not be partakers with them” (Ephesians 5:1-7).
And from his second letter to the Corinthians, we read: “14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ 17 Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’ ‘18I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty’” (2nd Corinthians 6:14-18).
We learn from these two passages that if we want to grow spiritually toward greater maturity, we are not to be unequally yoked to unbelievers nor be partakers with them in their lifestyles. Further, we are not to practice lawlessness (live sinful lifestyles) ourselves.
Turning to brother Paul once again we read from his letter to the Ephesians: “17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:17-24). What freedom! There is no condemnation for the one who has put on the new man (Romans 8:1) only the realization of forgiveness and having been made right with God.
Steve
stevelampman.com / stevelampman@comcast.net
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man