Walking in Love: The Power of Quality Time

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Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. [00:00:58]

For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light for the fruit of the light consists in all godly goodness and righteousness and truth, trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them. [00:02:01]

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is, and do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit. [00:02:49]

I have a feeling that God knows that same feeling. I have a feeling that He knows the displeasure of His people doing poor quality service, whittling away their time unwisely, casually, hastily, cheaply. I think He probably understands the pleasure of His people being careful and diligent, offering Him high-quality service or time. [00:07:22]

We can be together but not spend our time in a quality way. All of you that are married, I'm sure you know that there's one thing to just be with your wife; there's another thing to be with her in a way that you're actually spending quality time with each other, giving each other attention. [00:09:39]

This quality time that we strive for and need has far less to do with a special event or having a date or a recreational thing. Those things can have their appropriate places, but it has so much to do with our devotion, what's going on between our ears during this time and in our hearts. [00:10:40]

I think we should consider the advice that Amishman gave me for my marriage. Instead of thinking that the answer is that we should have more quantity time together, we should recognize that we need more quality time together, doing things that are important and things that bring God's glory. [00:16:13]

When Solomon's temple was being built, there was no chisel, no hammer, no saw heard on the building site. All these stones came in and they fit perfectly together. When they were brought on the building site, they could stack them. There was no chiseling, no nothing needed. That was all done out at the quarry. [00:17:00]

We are stones, and He wants stones that fit together. Someday they're all going to fit together for a visible, beautiful, glorious temple. But here we are, we're in the quarry, we're being chiseled, we're being chipped, we're being rubbed against each other, and we need to be, and this is good. [00:18:04]

Quality time when we are together should be discussing things that matter, discussing scriptures, singing hymns, praising God, thanking God, working together, helping each other with their work, and yes, even talking about everyday things in life. But to what end do we talk about those things? [00:21:15]

Let's be like the house of Stephanas that Paul talked about to the Corinthians. He said they were devoted to the ministry of the saints. The King James says they addicted themselves. Can you imagine being labeled, having that reputation that we were addicted to ministering to each other? [00:24:48]

We must work the works of Him who sent me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. [00:27:14]

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