Ephesians 5:17-21, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

First it must be understood, how this epistle of Paul, is first to the Ephesian Church, but also to the faithful in Christ Jesus, and is therefore not limited to the Ephesian Church, but also is addressed to the saints of God in all times and places, who call upon Him by His Son Jesus Christ through His Spirit; hoping to receive every word of this Epistle, as equal recipients with the Ephesian Church, an Epistle to all the faithful in Christ Jesus everywhere, who walk together as the Church of Christ in this same truth: A thorough instruction of the fundamental and essential doctrines of Christ to all His saints who are found worshiping Him in truth. Here Paul expresses the doctrines of the foreknowledge of God in the election of His people in Christ, having predestinated them unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, making them as such who are accepted in Him, as joint heirs having obtained a precious inheritance by the redemption, and forgiveness of sins through His blood, according to the great riches of Eternal Grace.

Paul then speaks of the effectual calling of His elect by the Spirit of God, according to the riches of of eternal salvation by His grace, teaching how the elect were all reconciled to God by the death of His Son; how through Him we all have access by the Spirit unto the Father. Paul further teaches us how we are no longer strangers and foreigners in the earth, tossed about by every wind of doctrine, but are blessed of the Lord, and are builded together, an habitation of God through the Spirit.

It is of this same Spirit, and by this same truth the apostle Paul is teaching us, that saints are led of God by His Spirit into a life and liberty in the gospel of Christ through these truths; as ,how we ought by that same Spirit to believe, walk, live and worship our Lord and Saviour according to this, and all truths which He has given us!

As we now look to a summary of the passage above, let us first understand, “there is a cause,” which begins our subject, as indicated by the word “wherefore, or for that cause.” Wherefore, having awakened from our inattentive sleep, and being given light through the Spirit of grace, let us stand in the truth of the gospel, trusting the Spirit in us, and the presence of our Lord with us

Even though we may live in the midst of a perverse world, we must be wise in the understanding of the truth of our Lord and seeking His will; not foolishly partaking of the excesses of the world, but walking in the fullness of His Spirit, and going as He leads us in the way; “Speaking to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord.” Making our desire to live these lives (natural and spiritual) God has blessed us with, in a way that our walk might be found giving praise and seeking peace with God.

When we walk in the way of the Lord, hearing and repeating to ourselves the precious truths of His Holy Word, and singing the sweet songs of Zion in our hearts as we go, and seeking to be happy in the Lord; we will find there, in that precious time we have redeemed to the Lord, and in that sacred place, where we are refreshed by the Spirit of God to feel His presence, and receive such words in our hearts, as petitions which only God can hear.

In a previous writing, we spoke of an old sister, who could no longer sing, and could barely hear the preaching. She was faithful to attend church when she was able, and always rejoiced in the spiritual blessings she received through her efforts, saying: “I just hear the singing, and sing along in my heart, and rejoice in all of the gospel I can hear. I have always felt blessed to be with the Lord's people!”

This testimony shows us how we are never alone in serving the Lord among His people. His Spirit is with us, yea in us, inspiring us to make melody in our hearts and minds, and to praise our God, as we go, even when we do not have a strong voice to sing or ears to hear. Let pray in our hearts and minds, all the words He has given us, through His Spirit, to lift up an inward praise, giving all glory and honor to our great God who always hears, and receives every word, in Jesus Name.