Treatment

We have had a good amount of rain lately, and the yards that are well taken care of are

really looking good. I went by a yard today that looked like it was a golf course because they had definitely used some grass treatment at one time or another. You can just tell it because there is no weed and the grass all looks the same. Treatment works, but you have to put it on for it to work. We need treatment in our faith walk because without the Holy Spirit working in our lives, we are trying to do life on our own, and that just won't work because we all have some weeds. Whether we admit it or not, there are weeds because we are sinners saved by the grace of God, but the sinful way of living and thinking has to go!!

I don't need any great theological discussion because even common sense dictates that if there is something in my life that doesn't belong, then kick it out by turning it over to God, and when He kicks it out, it is gone!! Paul wrote the following to the church in Ephesus.

Ephesians 5: 1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. ² Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Paul says to go on the offense and use the example of Christ to do it. No more excuses, just do what Jesus would do. Then Paul talks real turkey by giving examples. Oh boy!! Ephesians 5: ³ Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. ⁴ Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. ⁵ You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

There needs to be some separation from the world, don't you think? Yeah! The enemy is always trying to fool me, and I know he tries to fool you too. Paul addresses this problem in the next few verses in Ephesians 5: ⁶ Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. ⁷ Don’t participate in the things these people do. ⁸ For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! ⁹ For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a spiritual "treatment" to get the weeds out of your life, and before long, when God sends His "life rain" to replenish your spirit, He will bring out the best in you because you are ready with the right heart and mind, and your treatment has drawn you closer to your heavenly Father. God likes that response to His rain. Ephesians 5: ¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Pilgrimage Continues,

David Warren