Mellifiluous – Who i am… because He covers me!

Often who i am is different from who i should be. Ephesians 5 says, THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].

Notice it does not say therefore do. It’s back to months ago when i looked at do verses be. i am to “BE” an imitator of God and thankfully the verse goes on to tell me how to “BE” that imitator. i am to 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.

Walking in love… it’s not the answer but it is the assignment! yes it says esteeming and delighting in one another but those words are added in as part of the Amplified Bible. The actual words are as Christ Loved us and then it tells us that He GAVE HIMSELF FOR US. It goes on to say A SLAIN OFFERING  AND SACRIFICE. 

So that i am clear i’m looking at four key words.

Gave: to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation

Slain: to kill by violence, to destroy; extinguish.

Offering: something offered in worship or devotion, anything offered as a gift.

Sacrifice: the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.

Today’s song is titled Who I Am by Watermark. It’s because of Ephesians 5 that i am anybody other than a mass of sin. First verses 1 and 2 say, “therefore be.”  In verses 3 thru 8 i will use words from the song. His grace flows down and covers me. And covers me, and covers me, and covers me, and covers me. And covers me, and covers me, and covers me, and covers me.  i am grateful for verse 9 which leads me back to verses 1 and 2, while verses 10 and 11 encourage me to THEREFORE BE regardless of set backs. Verse 14 is especially meaningful. AWAKE O SLEEPER arise from the dead! i am sometimes found sleeping on my watch. Verses 15 thru 20 are what my watch is to consist of. For me… well i had to look at all the verses. They are below as well as the words to the song. It’s your call? Today’s post can be short and hopefully sweet or long and sweeter?

10 – Who Am I

³But 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). Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God].For be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vice or impurity in thought or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain]–for he [in effect] is an idolater–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for these sins], for through these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience.

⁹For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. 10 And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]. ¹¹ Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them.

 ¹⁴Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light. ¹⁵Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),¹⁶Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. ¹⁹Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, ²⁰At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father

Over time you’ve healed so much in me
And I am living proof
That although my darkest hour had come
Your light could still shine through
And though at times it’s just enough to cast
A shadow on the wall
Well, I am grateful that you shine your light on me at all

Who am I that you would love me so gently?
Who am I that you would recognize my name?
Lord, who am I that you would speak to me so softly
Conversation with the love most high
Who am I?

Well, amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind, but now I see
And the more I sing that sweet old song the more I understand
That I do not comprehend this love that’s coming from your hand

Grace, grace, God’s grace
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within
Grace, grace, God’s grace
Grace that is greater than all our sin

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
Amazing love, now flowing down
From hands and feet that were nailed to the tree
His grace flows down and covers me.

And covers me, and covers me, and covers me, and covers me
And covers me, and covers me, and covers me, and covers me
(with descant- Grace, grace, God’s grace)

Lord, who am I, yeah?