Living Your Christian Purpose Consistently

May 24, 2016 Year C

Ephesians 5:15-21

It is very hard to be consistent. We have a hard time doing something on a regular basis, unless there is a motive that keeps us going. Many times, the motive is money, or some other priority that focuses on ourselves.

These motives are selfish. It takes maturity to understand that living out a consistent life (especially a consistent internal, personal, spiritual life) benefits yourself and others.

The Christian life is a relationship, a way, a journey, a lifestyle, a life, a walk. Paul uses the language of walking to describe the consistent Christian life (Ephesians 5:15). In order to walk, one must be in shape and have balance. When it comes to the Christian life, one must be internally in balance. There is wisdom in balance

There is a danger in being out of balance. Time management is the key to balance. If we don’t manage time well, then we open ourselves up to temptation to sin (Ephesians 5:16). Paul describes people who are out of balance and don’t manage their time well as foolish (Ephesians 5:17). They don’t understand God’s purpose for the Christian (Ephesians 5:17). One of the ways they mismanage is their resources. People who are foolish and out of balance mismanage things. They take things that were meant for moderation and they use it to excess. They get addicted. This mismanagement leads to sinful and reckless actions (Ephesians 5:18).

The way to achieve balance and purpose is to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). He teaches us how to walk consistently. Notice that the instructions from the Spirit are in a different form, which means it forms a formula. This formula is a general teaching that was given to show Christians how to achieve balance and a consistent walk. When one looks at the formula, one gets a collective picture of a consistent, balanced, Christian purpose-driven life. What is that formula? That formula is leading an internally consistent, Christian, purpose-driven life. How does one achieve this? Here are the purposes to keep in balance:

FIVE WAYS TO LIVE OUT A CONSISTENT CHRISTIAN PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE

Fellowship – “speaking to one another” (Ephesians 5:19).

We have fellowship with one another when we speak to one another. We spend time with one another. We enjoy one another.

Discipleship – “psalms” (Ephesians 5:19), “giving thanks” (Ephesians 5:20).

We grow in discipleship when we learn from the Scriptures (“psalms”) and when we learn to mature. Giving thanks is one indicator of growth.

Worship – “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music” (Ephesians 5:19).

Worship is learning to enjoy God. Music is one way that can happen.

Ministry – “submitting to one another” (Ephesians 5:21).

Ministry is when we learn to serve one another. Submitting to one means that I learn to serve the person and put them first.

Missions – “fear of Christ” (Ephesians 5:21).

What is the “fear of Christ,” and how does it relate to missions? Jesus came the first time to die and pay for sin. Jesus will return a second time and judge sin. Since we want everyone to come to God, we want to share about Jesus Christ and the way He has made possible for everyone to come to God without being judged.

Living our my Christian purpose consistently is not easy. As Christians, we live this life as best as we can. But with God’s help, we can live out this life well.

Prayer: God, please help me as I try to live out my Christian purpose consistently. Thank You for being with me on the journey called life.