April 22, 2002
LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for May 5
Paul provides guidelines for Christian living
___Ephesians 5:1-21
___By Roy Cotton
___BGCT DFW/Metroplex Church Starting Center Consultant
___Ephesians is divided between doctrinal issues and principles for practical Christian living. Last week we focused on righteousness and holy living. Chapter 4 closes with an admonition for Christian kindness, compassion and forgiveness with each other "just as in Christ God forgave you" (v. 32).
___This week's lesson is on the first part of Chapter 5. The LifeWay commentator suggests a four-part outline for the Christian to imitate God (v. 1), be loving and pure (vv. 2-7), upright (vv. 8-14) and wise (vv. 15-21).
___Imitate God
___Children play a game called "Follow the leader." The rules of the game are simple: Do what the leader does. Paul admonished the Corinthians and Philippians to follow his example (1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1 and Philippians 3:17). However, to the Ephesians he commanded: "Be imitators of God" (v. 1). We are to mimic God in the way we treat other people. Why? Because in Christ God demonstrates the ultimate example of agape (John 3:16, 15:13; Romans 5:8).
___You may be saying, "But that is God's love; that's impossible for us." Jesus commands us to love one another as he loves us (John 13:34). Agape is God's love. Russell Dilday describes agape as "a self-sacrificing, outward concern for another person's welfare that you intentionally choose to demonstrate." Christians must mimic Christ's agape in relation to others. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35).
___Be loving and pure
___Christians, who imitate God in their way of living, live by the kind of love demonstrated in the ultimate sacrifice of Christ (v. 2). Paul contrasts Christ's love with six things that "are improper for God's holy people" (v. 3)--sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk and coarse jesting.
___One commentator suggests "greed" is mentioned here as idolatrous because it is the root from which all the other sins grow. Greed is synonymous with covetousness. It is the "insatiable desire for having more." In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites not to covet anything belonging to their neighbor. Greed causes the sins of the flesh to grow.
___It has been said that sin is not an island. Sin is never satisfied. Sin is much like the old commercial slogan for Lay's Potato Chips: "Bet you can't eat just one." Greed is a form of idolatry because it demands full obeisance. The Bible cautions against greed. In Proverbs 11:6, "The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be caught by their own greed." Jesus warns against greed in Luke 12:15: "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed."
___Be upright
___Paul continues the theme using contrasting images of darkness and light. He describes our former life as "darkness" and our present life as "light." Prior to becoming a follower of Christ, we were in darkness (v. 8). When we became followers of our Lord, the old nature was crucified, buried and raised with Christ. Warren Wiersbe states: "A Christian is not sinless, but he does sin less--and less--and less." He goes on to say that "It is impossible to be in darkness and light at the same time."
___Christ's light overcomes darkness. John describes the stark difference in light and darkness. "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble" (1 John 9-10).
___Light produces fruit (v. 9). This is the agricultural quality of light. Without exposure to light, plants cannot produce vitamins necessary for growth. Christians need exposure to the light of Christ's love for the fruit of "all goodness, righteousness and truth" (v. 9). This fruit "pleases God" (v. 10). Paul uses an ancient hymn, perhaps a baptismal hymn, of the New Testament church in verse 14.
___Be wise
___The lesson closes with a word of caution to the believers. "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise" (v. 15). The word used for "wise" signifies a watchman. In the first century, a wise person was one who knew how to regulate his course in view of movements of the heavens or of God. The Authorized Version utilizes the words "walk circumspectly." This is walking as if on eggs shells, broken glass or hot coals. This is the carefulness of Christian living in the church and the world.
___Verse 18 is the pivotal verse for the remainder of the epistle. Paul admonishes the Christian: "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." When one is controlled by wine, there is a loss of control and senses. People under the influence speak uncontrollably and without any inhibition.
___The Bible commands us to be controlled by the Spirit. We are to come under the influence of the Holy Spirit daily. Only when we are filled with the Spirit is it possible to "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (v. 21).
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___Questions for discussion
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