Ephesians 5:10

"And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]." Ephesians 5:10

The regenerative process... the work, which Christ is doing within us to replace, or exchange the old sin nature... that old unregenerate nature, with the new nature... the new nature being that of Himself, Christ... well, it is a real experience... I mean we should be seeing and feeling this change within us. Paul is merely suggesting that we connect better with what is happening... we should be more mindful... pay more attention to what The Holy Spirit leads us to do. THIS PLEASES THE LORD, Paul says.

Even in our "wanting to please The Lord", we are so quick to revert to our old nature of doing things ourselves, that we think up a bunch of "what we feel or believe to be" nice stuff that would please God... and it just doesn't... at all! NO, what pleases God ONLY, is for us to do His will... what He wants us to do.

Please focus with me on something very true, for just a moment... we know that we are suppose to do what the bible says to do, and it is easy to start doing what the bible says before we know "all" of what the bible says to do. Agreed? Now, to just do stuff because the bible says to do it... isn't that what the Jewish people were doing when Jesus was so upset with them. Paul is trying to teach us to listen to the Living Word as we live by the written word. That is where the experience is found... in our relationship with Christ. That is what will prove to - not only God, but others what is acceptable. Obedience to just the text of the bible and not listening to The Holy Spirit, grieves The Lord. Listen to this verse from Matthew and we'll move on...

"Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]" Matthew 7:21-23

Let's pick up with Ephesians verse 5:11 next time.

I love you.