Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Making Melody in Your Heart to the Lord


Ephesians 5:15-20See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

As we came to the end of this Bible Study series, there was no lack of gems dug up in our small group on this passage. I even like these big “fifty cent” words, because they cause me to dive into my old dictionary, as in walk “circumspectly”, meaning watchfully on all sides, cautiously and prudently, because in this fallen world it is wise to not be ignorant and naive, but to be prepared. The genuine Christian walks the talk, and has dealt with the old self and put on the new self, therefore no longer walks in darkness because they are a Child of Light and walks as such, making the most of the time we have.

The admonition (a mild reproof to correct and right) to not get drunk on wine, for that is “dissipation” (wasteful excess) or intemperance (lacking self-resistance for overindulgence) is warning counsel not be filled with spirits. Alcohol comes from the Arabic "al-kuhl" which was the name of a body-eating spirit. In fact, the English "ghoul" comes from the same word. When Arab alchemists' ingested alcohol their senses deadened and they named the substance according to its "body-taking" qualities. Knowing this, European speakers who understood its etymology coined the use of the term "spirits" for alcohol. Our Pastor, Jason, explains that the question really is, “why is life so miserable that one feels the need to escape with a cover-up that does not solve the issues and always requires more. Instead of dealing with life, people substitute a “false” life for the “real” life. God didn’t create us for orgiastic dissipation and intemperance by some mind altering chemical and addiction. True meaning and purpose is found in the Lord God, the Savior Son and the Holy Spirit. So this verse is saying, “Be filled to capacity by the Spirit, not by spirits.” To be filled, habitually and continuously. We seek filling and He fills. Does that make sense? 

Making melody with your heart, in harmony with the Lord is the rightful desire. Being in tune with the Lord means that we symphonize in syncrasy with God’s frequency to make a joyful noise. Tune my heart to sing thy praise. Including, being in tune with His Word – the standard that is the mark we shoot for and walk by as the child of God. Always giving thanks for all the gifts and for all things received, “to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In Christ, Brian

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