Words of Praise
Rise energy –
Strength sustained,
Thursday’s work
For fingers trained.
Toil of our hands,
Work of our mind,
God’s great grace
Is intertwined.
Bless the work.
Bless the day.
Come to aid us.
Angels stay!
Notes
1. This passage includes the only appearance of the phrase “be imitators of God” in the New Testament. In addition we are urged to “live in love.” How to attempt such a challenge? We can only look to the Gospels and take the teachings and actions of Jesus as our guide.Feed the imagination with powerful stories of the transforming effects of forgiveness and love. Remember that kindness is never a mistake. Self-giving love is never an accident.
2. The list of vices in vv.3-5 are arranged in groups of three.
5:3 includes sexual immorality, impurity, and greed. Perhaps in this case greed is to be understood as unrestrained sexual greed. Christians are to separate themselves from those behaviors.
5:4 refers to indecency, foolish talk and vulgar talk. The author is calling for disciplined speech with the offensive language replaced by thanksgiving.
5:5 encompasses “every evil, impure, or greedy person.”
3. One author responded to these admonitions by saying, “This didn’t mean that I had to be perfect or a Goody Two-shoes, or a Holy Roller, thank God. I could be my own real self. In fact God wanted me to be my own real self. All I needed was to keep in mind that we all make mistakes, and that forgiveness is the key.”
Daily Lectionary Notes 