Pagan Ways– Ephesians 5:1-20
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. 5 Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be associated with them. 8 For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What does the passage say?
V. 1-2 Eugene Peterson writes, “Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents” (v.1 The Message). It means that we should follow the ways of God in LOVE.
V. 3-7 He continues saying, “Don’t allow love to turn into lust, setting off a downhill slide into sexual promiscuity, filthy practices…” (v.3 The Message). It means that the love of ourselves and our desire, instead of the love of God, can lead us to these sinful ways.
V.8-14 The reason Paul asks us to live, in following God’s love, is to reveal the purpose of God in our lives. We need to show the light of Jesus, shining through us. Where the light is, there is no darkness.
V. 15-20 Paul then tells the people to be keen to God’s will. He says, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (v. 15-18 NIV)
What does this mean to me/us
We can easily talk about what Christians should not do, to shine the light of Christ in this world. We have to abstain from all sinful ways. That is right. But we also know that it is not easy to live in that manner.
That is why we need to understand why we need to strive for holiness. I believe that Paul gives us an answer through this passage. God wants us to live a life that exemplifies God’s Love. However, if we do not live with the intention of being holy, we can’t shine that love to this world. That is why he says,
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (v. 17-18 NIV)
For us to live according to God’s will, we need to be holy. When we live in the manner of holiness, we will more likely hear and be able to follow God’s way, which will lead us to reveal God’s light into this world.
The days are evil, and we need to prepare ourselves for this Spiritual warfare. Are you spiritually ‘combat ready’?
What does this MEAN to you?
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