Oct 28, 2020
Paul has some long sentences. Most of the original Greek has little in the way of punctuation. Like Paul, Mike got started taking about God's purpose for us and how Mike saw some of that purpose in this passage. He completes that thought here.
First, what does this have to do with getting drunk with wine? Mike believes Paul makes an illustration. Rather than being controlled by alcohol, let's take in all of the Holy Spirit we can and let him guide us. When he guides us, we won't sound lile we're drunk with alcohol, but we will sound like God's people, worshipping him and, giving thanks, and submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
In fact, Mike believes the rest of this letter continues on the point Paul started about being careful how we live. That was how Mike came to this passage in the first place. We can be subject, we can submit to others, because we're filled with the Holy Spirit.
What does that say to you, as you head to work today? Mike even said that he has trouble submitting to others. But this is an area where God continues to work on Mike. Does God work on submitting to others with you, too? Do you see how putting others ahead of ourselves, or submitting to them, is part of God's purpose for us? It's how we make him visible.
Why not decide today to join us on the next Marketplace Mission Trip and put some of this into practice. Like riding a bike, we can't learn to follow Jesus by reading only. We must do it to get better at it. Our last Marketplace Mission Trip for 2020 begins Sunday. Learn more and sign up at www.MarketplaceMissionTrip.com