There are so many things I want in my life–some material and some emotional,–but I definitely want them.

There are other things in life that I must do my best to rid from my life. And, it’s not just me. It is you and all those who hold the name of Christ dear.

Paul instructed the church (Ephesians is usually thought to be a general letter to all the churches) to get rid of every kind of immorality.

As I’ve often said, the only century more immoral than the 21st century was the first century AD. Every kind of immorality was practiced in the first century. We generally think the kind of immoral behavior we see today is something new and different, but it’s not. Everything that is practiced today was practiced then.

Isn’t it interesting that the “fullness of time” occurred in a time of such immorality? Isn’t it also interesting that the Gospel was not overtaken by such immorality but that the Gospel delivered those who trusted Christ in the first century from such destructive behavior?

What does Paul tell us to not allow in our lives?

“But immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting among saints. Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is , an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. . . . but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light. . . . and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:3-10).

It is astounding that Paul could and did call saints to live as light in the darkness and to shun all kinds of immorality. Their different kind of life called lost people to the light.

The same will happen in our day when we walk in the light and seek to please the Lord.