November 27, 2012 Ephesians 5:8-14

Ephesians 5:8-14  ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

"Find out what pleases the Lord".  Determine. Discover.  Look for.  Learn.  Locate.  Verse 10 speaks to me of an active Christianity.  One that involves study.  Concordances.  Bible dictionaries.  Web searches.

I wonder how many Christians are of the opinion that Christian growth will come through divine revelation, church attendance and going to small group.  Got will miraculously reveal all he wants us to know.  The big finger on the wall.  The wet/dry fleece will direct our paths.

In Ephesians 5:10, Paul reminds followers of Christ that we have a responsibility to be an active participant in our spiritual development.  How can we expect to please the Lord unless we know what pleases the Lord?

This time of year millions of people around the world are asking each other, family members or friends what Christmas gifts would make a person happy.  What gift would please Granny Smith?  Which video game would Johnny most like to have in his stocking?  But do we ask God what would make Him happy?  Do we look in His Word to determine what thoughts and actions would give Him joy?

If we are to "find out what pleases the Lord" we must spend time prayerfully asking Him, quietly listening to His still small voice and searching for clues in His Word.  Then, and only then, will we be able to truly bring joy to our Lord and  Savior.