Matins Devotion: September 5, 2023

Ephesians 4:25-5:14

Sin will destroy your life. It will burn through your soul like acid eating up your flesh. Lies will not make your life better. They will enslave you. Bitterness, anger, wrath, and clamor will not grant you peace. They will fill your life with people who will return all your bitterness, anger, wrath, and clamor to you and fill your every day with grief. Sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness will not give you the satisfaction they offer. They will just drag you into filth and regret, emptiness, and loneliness. Sin is nothing more than a rope dragging you into utter darkness.

But thanks be to God, there is Light. In His death, Jesus Christ forgave your sins. He conquered your condemnation and gave you eternal life. He saved you, and that salvation is not something locked away on the other side of Paradise. It’s here for you to taste in this life right now. So right now, in this very moment, you can have a life that is infinitely greater than the life of sin. You can escape the darkness by following the Light of Light. You can escape the slavery of condemnation by living like the One who broke your chains with His nail-pierced hands.

So flee temptation and you will flee the darkness and all its despair. Tell the truth, speak honestly and mercifully and you will find comfort even as discomfort surrounds you. Live a life of thankfulness, calm and quietness and anger will have no power over you. Live a chaste life and you will be happier in every interaction you have with those you haven't dehumanize into objects of lust. Return hatred with love and you will find more love. Forgive those who sin against you and you will sin less and therefore be happier. Follow the example of Christ and the joy of Christ will surround you.

Sin will destroy your life. But righteousness will heal it and fill it with joy. So seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and joy will fill every day of your life as you wait for the life to come.