Understanding and Living God's Will - Isaiah 17-19 and Ephesians 5:17-33
When we read the prophecies in Isaiah, some of them are easy to understand, while others are difficult. We can look at history and see how God has judged countries like Syria, Israel, Ethiopia, and Egypt. However, when Isaiah reveals to us that there will be a time when "Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria." That is much more difficult to understand. I believe it will happen. Perhaps, it is referring to the Millennium. However, that truth or that understanding will not have a direct impact on my life and my well being today, as far as I can see. It is important to understand facts of prophecy like this as much as possible, but there are not always relevant to our everyday lives. Some people put too much emphasis on details for the world events, and they neglect the will of God for their everyday lives. Bible knowledge is always good, but the most important knowledge for us to understand is God's will for us as individuals.
Ephesians 5 exhorts us to understand God's will, and then, it introduces several important truths. How much do you know about being filled with the Spirit? How much do you understand the husband and wife relationship? What is your grasp of your oneness with Christ, since you are a part of His bride, the church? These facts are very specific just like the prophecies, but they are vital for everyday living. If we miss these truths, we will miss the life the Lord has for us. That is what I see happening. Many Christians know the Lord's will for Israel at the end of time, but they do not know how to be filled with the Spirit each day. Many Christians know about the Tribulation and the Antichrist, but they do not know how to relate to their spouse. There are many believers who understand what God's Word says about the Second Coming of Christ, but they are not one with Christ as they should be. This is a tragedy! We are almost like the Pharisees, whom Jesus condemned. We know the letter of the law, but we do not know the real substance of God's will for us. We know a lot of facts, but we are not living God's will. This should be our emphasis, so that those around us can see Jesus in us and be drawn to Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 20-22 and Ephesians 6.
Ephesians 5 exhorts us to understand God's will, and then, it introduces several important truths. How much do you know about being filled with the Spirit? How much do you understand the husband and wife relationship? What is your grasp of your oneness with Christ, since you are a part of His bride, the church? These facts are very specific just like the prophecies, but they are vital for everyday living. If we miss these truths, we will miss the life the Lord has for us. That is what I see happening. Many Christians know the Lord's will for Israel at the end of time, but they do not know how to be filled with the Spirit each day. Many Christians know about the Tribulation and the Antichrist, but they do not know how to relate to their spouse. There are many believers who understand what God's Word says about the Second Coming of Christ, but they are not one with Christ as they should be. This is a tragedy! We are almost like the Pharisees, whom Jesus condemned. We know the letter of the law, but we do not know the real substance of God's will for us. We know a lot of facts, but we are not living God's will. This should be our emphasis, so that those around us can see Jesus in us and be drawn to Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 20-22 and Ephesians 6.