This last Thanksgiving Day was a good day. It was a day of enjoyable rest as well as a time to just enjoy life. I read this passage yesterday and it was interesting because my focus was more on thanksgiving than it was on other things. The passage is Ephesians 5:1-5. It reads as follows:

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. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

I found that this is a interesting contrast. As recipients of God’s infinite grace, we must not live our lives as men of the “slums” of the world as you may see. We must these things put away (“these things” meaning sexual immorality – impurity – covetousness – filthiness – foolish talk – crude joking). The Bible says that these things are out of place for Christians and even that the first three mentioned should not even be mentioned among us. These things bring the worth and beauty of the cross to naught. Instead, we must live our lives in a grateful spirit. I’m sure the rest is pretty obvious to you all. I just thought that this was a cool and unique thought for us as Christians.

I hope you all had a great thanksgiving.

Grateful for the cross,

Josh Blaha

1) Has anyone listened to sermons in the link that I gave in my last post by Paul Washer?

2) If so, what did you think?

So, I just went to a funeral for a girl from my church yesterday. She was 5 years old and died of a heart condition. What a wake-up call! I was reminded once again that our bodies are but breathing pieces of clay. The funeral left my speechless. There was not a lot to say, yet the Spirit tugs once again to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and to run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” (ESV) However, though she left this world, I was left jealous that she is resting in the arms of our Savior for she was a professing believer.

While left in thought of the recent happenings, I was moved to listen to a sermon from the newly discovered (by me) Paul Washer. I encourage you, whether “saved” or not, to listen to some of his sermons and question as to who and what you are living for. Is this world a playground with lots of toys or rest-stop before you get home? We must preach the cross to ourselves daily and die to ourselves.

Resting in Him,

Josh Blaha