Listen to what I say, don’t watch how I live.
If this is your life’s theme then you will be an influence on others in a very negative way. People are much quicker to pick up and be influenced by your actions than your words.
In Ephesians 5:3-21 Paul shares four things that help us to be a positive influence by the way we live.
Ephesians 5:3-6
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person - such a man is an idolater - has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
Our actions as followers of Jesus are to be consistent with the character of the person, Jesus, we are following.
Things like sexual immorality, impurity, greed are not reflecting the true character of Jesus.
Our words as followers of Jesus are to be consistent with the character of the person, Jesus, we are following.
Conversations that are filled with obscene talk or foolish talk or coarse joking are not reflecting the true character of Jesus.
Our conversations are to be characterized by thanksgiving because that does reflect the true character of Jesus.
We are reminded that no immoral or impure or greedy person will inherit the kingdom of Christ because whoever is characterized by these traits is an idolater. Idolaters are people who worship a false god.
We are not to let anyone, (yes, that includes people who are pastors, preachers, Bible teachers, or who someone who claims special revelation from God) to deceive us from the truth. It will cause us to disobey God.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is conforming our speech and behavior to the truth of who God is.
Ephesians 3:7
Therefore do not be partners with them.
We are to not only avoid acting or speaking in ways that don’t reflect the truth of Jesus, but we are also not to partner with those that do.
2 Corinthians 6:14 says that we are not to be yoked together with unbelievers because righteousness and wickedness have nothing in common.
We usually associate this with marriage, but I believe it can be applied to any relationship.
We as believers are to connect with and reach out to unbelievers, but not allow them to be people who influence our actions or words.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is being an influence but not being influenced by the unbelieving world.
Ephesians 5:8-14
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
We are to live as children of light.
We once lived in darkness, but Jesus has brought us into His light and made us light.
We as children of the light are to exhibit goodness, righteousness, and truth. We are not to have anything to do with the deeds of darkness because they are fruitless. It is God’s will for us to produce fruit. And we are to expose the deeds of darkness.
The light illumines everything.
In 1 John 1:7 it says that if we walk in the light as Jesus is in the light we will have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus will purify us from all sin.
If we are living according to God’s desire for us then the light will show behaviors and speech that reflect the reality of Jesus.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is walking in the light with Jesus.
Ephesians 5:15-21
Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drink on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
We are to be careful how we live and we are live in a wise manner.
Living in a wise manner means:
Using every opportunity to show forth the truth of Jesus because we live in evil times
Understanding what God’s will is
Being filled and controlled by God’s Spirit, not outside substances
Speaking in loving and encouraging ways to others
Praising and giving thanks to God continually
Submitting to each other out of honor for God
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is living based on the wisdom of God.
The key to all of what Paul says in this passage is found in verse 10, where he says to find out what pleases God and in verse 17 where he says understand what the Lord’s will is.
We have to seek and understand what God’s will is and do it.
Wisdom is understanding the times, understanding God’s will and obeying God’s will.
Walking in the Light as Jesus is in the Light Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
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