JMD Devotional 259 Ephesians 5:25 Esteeming Others

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

You sacrifice the life you want for the welfare of your spouse, that is commitment.
You then learn to love the life of sacrifice, following Christ, that is contentment.

Vs 1-3 recap: THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. But immorality (sexual vice) and all impurity [of lustful, rich, wasteful living] or greediness must not even be named among you, as is fitting and proper among saints (God's consecrated people).

How you value or devalue others is a telling barometer of your spiritual condition. An imitator of God esteems others unconditionally (self is out of the picture). People are of immeasurable worth! If we find ourselves resenting them for getting in our way, or for the demands that their being places upon us, we are under the influence of the spirit of this fallen world, and not of God. Pornography is wrong for a thousand reasons; but consider these: you devalue another human being, created in the image of God, and reduce them to a play-thing to serve your lusts. Each centerfold was someone’s daughter or son, in rebellion, on the wrong path. The person you pass that solicits a double take is not to be considered a sex object; but a potential sister or brother in Christ. Charity, the purest form of Christianity, elevates the lowliest individuals and affirms their worth. Esteeming others does not end there; but should reach into every encounter. You cannot be esteeming another when you contribute to their moral failure!

Dear God,
You have called us to be living sacrifices; oh, how we resist. Only when our affection for wretched things is burned off can we appreciate the bounty of Your Holy Spirit. I confess not valuing others as I should; of hating people for getting in my way: forgive me of my sins! Transform my heart and life through Your holy influence; help me to ‘imitate’ You and Your ways, empowered by Your Holy Spirit. Help me to sacrifice my self-importance for the welfare of others, and to cherish my spouse above all.
Amen

All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
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*New International Version (NIV)
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**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)

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