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My Favorite Verses - Vol V (Feb 17 to Jun 17)

An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings

An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings

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Ephesians 5:9 … The Fruit of the Light<br />

(05/19/20<strong>17</strong>)<br />

“Live as Children of Light – for the fruit of the Light is found in all that is<br />

good and right and true.” ~ unknown (Ephesians 5:9)<br />

Even though Ephesians was in all probability not written by Paul (but instead<br />

was likely copied and amended from Colossians by a Paulinist follower shortly after<br />

Paul‟s death), this verse still reflects a deep set of Truths, all of them hinging on<br />

its very first word: “Live.” For even though it was indeed good enough for Paul<br />

for his followers <strong>to</strong> think “good” thoughts and have “right” beliefs and speak<br />

“true” words, this was not enough for anyone desiring the follow The Way of<br />

Christ ... For <strong>to</strong> enter Jesus” “Kingdom of God” in this lifetime (Luke <strong>17</strong>:20-21)<br />

requires bold, selfless action (see Matthew 7:21-24, Matthew 13:18-23, Matthew<br />

24:12-14, Luke 10:29-37, John 13:15-<strong>17</strong> et al). It requires becoming “humble as a<br />

<strong>to</strong>ddler” (Matthew 18:3-4), and the only way <strong>to</strong> do that was <strong>to</strong> “Live as Children<br />

of Light” – by Forgiving our trespassers without end (Matthew 18:21-22), by<br />

Loving our enemies without exception (Matthew 5:43-48), and by Serving the<br />

downtrodden without excuses (Matthew 25:35-40). For these are the deeds that<br />

bear the Spiritual Fruit (see Matthew 21:43 & Galatians 5:22-23) that allow our<br />

Light <strong>to</strong> shine, and allow us <strong>to</strong> truly represent the Divine (“While you have the<br />

light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light … The one who<br />

believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works [of<br />

Love] than these” ~ Jesus in John 12:36 & John 14:12).<br />

Amen ... Let it be so.<br />

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