Havenwood Baptist Church

Ephesians 5:18 says: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” This statement is put into the middle of a passage that has been about our walk (daily life with) God. Much of the rest of the book of Ephesians is dedicated to what a life that is walking with God and being filled with the Spirit is like.

The word “gospel” literally means “good news”, and it certainly is that. Galatians 1:3-4 summarize the gospel this way: “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:” The gospel is, first of all, a conduit of God’s grace and peace. It is not rites and rituals that can bring God’s grace into your life, but rather the belief in the gospel. Further, we can see that this belief has to do with Jesus.

No work of man or ceremony can do this for us. We must turn from our sins in repentance and turn to God in faith and ask Him to save us. When we do that, we are, as the Bible describes it, “born again” and have the presence of the Holy Spirit inside of us. This is also described as having Christ in us. There was a time in my life where I was trying to live the Christian life without Christ, and that is not going to work for you any more than it did for me. Call on the Lord in faith, turning from your sin and He will save you!