Ephesians 5:1-8
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Over the past two weeks we have been answering the question, “How is the Church supposed to behave?” We have established that because Christians are new creatures in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17), we are called to “walk worthy” of our calling (Ephesians 4:1-3). This new life and calling manifests itself in certain behavior, particularly in relationships in the body of Christ. In Ephesians 4:25-5:8, the Apostle Paul gives seven instructions regarding this new behavior. Thus far, are have examined five of those found in Ephesians 4:25-32. Believers are called to speak truthfully, avoid bitterness, live honestly, speak wholesomely, and model kindness. This week we will look at the final two, found in Ephesians 5:1-8.
The sixth word of instruction regarding Christian behavior in the local church is to emulate love. Jesus spoke to the importance of love saying, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). This one mark of Christian virtue guides and defines how Christian’s should behave, especially toward one another. The command to “Be ye followers” utilizes the Greek word mimetes (“followers”), which means “to imitate.” We are called to imitate God, our heavenly Father, “as dear children.” Children bear the resemblance of their parents, so God’s children should bear some resemblance to their Father. Believers do so when we “walk in love.” God’s love in Christ and the kind of love believers are to have for one another is described in many places in the NT, but 1 John 3:16 says very succinctly, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” Christian love is about sacrifice, submission, and surrender, not a feeling. God demonstrated His love in Christ (Romans 5:8). Our love is not “in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). It covers a “multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8) and is a “sweetsmelling savour” to God. This refers to sacrifices and offerings that were offered in the OT and were acceptable to God. Walking in love is pleasing to our Lord because it, like the other words of instruction in this passage, reflects His own character.
The final of seven words of instruction about our behavior as followers of Jesus is to pursue holiness. The list provided here in verses 3-4 is of sins that believers are to have nothing to do with. The list is related to sexual sin, greed and covetousness, and various sins of the tongue. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 tells us, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication.” It is God’s will for every believer that they be sanctified, grow in holiness, and abstain from all forms of sexual immorality. In fact, regarding these sins, Paul says, “let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.” Verses 5-6 tell us very plainly that these sins are characteristic of those who are lost and will not inherit the kingdom of God. Instead, those whose lives are marked by these sins are appointed to wrath, barring repentance and faith. Believers are called to not be “partakers with them.” We should never take part in sin, nor should we condone it or aid someone in their participation in it. Believers used to be “darkness.” It is not that we used to be in darkness, we were darkness. We weren’t just in wickedness and sin, we were wicked sinners. In Christ, we are now in the light and called to walk as such. Verses 9-11 of Ephesians 5 tell us that we should expose and reprove wicked works, not participate with and condone them. We are to “walk as children of light.” Light exposes darkness and it can have no fellowship, nor participation with darkness. Darkness flees when light appears. “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5) and so believers are called to “walk as children of light.” We are instructed by Peter in 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” While we are imperfect and capable of any of the sins mentioned here, the direction of the believer’s life should be to pursue holiness and grow in holiness. That is what it is to “walk as children of light.”
How should the Church behave? Having left behind lying, we speak truth. Not letting our anger control us, we avoid bitterness. Working to help others, we live honestly. Looking to edify rather than tear down, we speak wholesomely. Forgiving rather than becoming embittered or living out evil intentions, we model kindness, graciousness, and forgiveness. As children of God, we walk in and emulate love. As children of light, we pursue holiness. The Church is called to live radically different lives than the world around us. We are to live in a manner worthy of the gospel and the God the we serve. Are we able to say that our behavior points people to Christ or away from Him? Do our lives bear the fruit of the transforming power of the new life of Christ in us? It is time for the world to see the difference that Jesus makes.