Daily Devotions
These verses form part of the apostle Paul’s comment on living a godly life as a follower of Jesus. In Ephesians 4-6, he exhorts his readers to consider their actions wisely as they faithfully devote themselves to the One who “gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2b).
Paul was no stranger to the conflict between good and evil that makes the Christian walk the day-to-day challenge that it is. It’s no different for us today, is it? Our harried lives overflow with things that divert our attention from God—things that keep us distant from Him and neglecting those things we should be focused on.
Paul knew this conflict all too well. “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do is what I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19). This is our struggle, too. We want to please God; we want to live impassioned lives for Jesus, but something hinders us—our flesh, the world, Satan himself. “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25a).
Indeed, thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! He is our Deliverer. God’s own Son took on our flesh, fought the fight we could not win—and gives us His victory as our own! May we now take these newborn lives we have been given and live for Him, walking daily as children of the light.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, may our lives shine for You each and every day. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you try to “discern what is pleasing to the Lord”?
2. What might it have meant (per your speculation) for Paul to want to do good but, in the end, do wrong, anyway?
3. Do you have any favorite traditional or contemporary spiritual songs that inspire and refresh you?