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Ephes. 5:1-20 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
[3] But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. [4] Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. [5] For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man 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 such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. [7] Therefore do not be partners with them.
[8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord. [11] Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. [12] For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. [13] But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, [14] for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
[15] Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. [19] Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
One thing is just jumping out at me as I read this passage. It starts in the first sentence – “be imitators of God”, it goes on when Paul writes “find out what pleases God” and continues when he asks us to “understand what the Lord’s will is.”
So much of what we do isn’t right. So much of it must cause God to wince, the way a parent does when they see a child misbehave. So many of our words are harsh, our jokes lack taste and are crude, our thoughts unkind and our actions uncaring. An Anglican prayer reminds us that we sin through negligence, weakness and our own deliberate fault. Much of it we do because it is in secret and we think we can hide it. But from whom? From other people maybe? But from God?
Paul reminds us that as children of God we are children of the light. There should be no darkness around us. For the way we act this means that we cannot try and hide our bad stuff. We need to expose it to the light. We need to learn the discipline of confession, to God, but also to trusted friends. Our darkness needs exposed to the light, so it can fill every corner of our lives, so there is not even a spot which is in shadow.
To imitate God is to allow his light in all areas of our life. It may be a fearful prospect. But look at it this way. How much of our time is spent managing our guilt? How much time do we spend in prayer wrestling with God over our weaknesses? How much time do we waste praying for ourselves when we could be praying for others? A little bit of pain and embarrassment in exchange for so much freedom – it’s no choice really is it?
[3] But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. [4] Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. [5] For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man 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 such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. [7] Therefore do not be partners with them.
[8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord. [11] Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. [12] For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. [13] But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, [14] for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
[15] Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. [19] Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
One thing is just jumping out at me as I read this passage. It starts in the first sentence – “be imitators of God”, it goes on when Paul writes “find out what pleases God” and continues when he asks us to “understand what the Lord’s will is.”
So much of what we do isn’t right. So much of it must cause God to wince, the way a parent does when they see a child misbehave. So many of our words are harsh, our jokes lack taste and are crude, our thoughts unkind and our actions uncaring. An Anglican prayer reminds us that we sin through negligence, weakness and our own deliberate fault. Much of it we do because it is in secret and we think we can hide it. But from whom? From other people maybe? But from God?
Paul reminds us that as children of God we are children of the light. There should be no darkness around us. For the way we act this means that we cannot try and hide our bad stuff. We need to expose it to the light. We need to learn the discipline of confession, to God, but also to trusted friends. Our darkness needs exposed to the light, so it can fill every corner of our lives, so there is not even a spot which is in shadow.
To imitate God is to allow his light in all areas of our life. It may be a fearful prospect. But look at it this way. How much of our time is spent managing our guilt? How much time do we spend in prayer wrestling with God over our weaknesses? How much time do we waste praying for ourselves when we could be praying for others? A little bit of pain and embarrassment in exchange for so much freedom – it’s no choice really is it?
posted by Gordon at
7:56 am
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