Oct. 31 2010, Explore the Bible
Being Pure
Ephesians 5:1-14
Know – what the Word says
Main idea of the passage: Paul stresses that a believer’s life should be a reflection of God’s love through Christ and that His love, lived out in us, transforms us into children of light.
Explanation: Three words summarize this passage: love, life, light. Verses 1-2 provide the umbrella truth that Paul will flesh out in verses 3-14. Believers are to imitate God, namely through living their lives in and through the same love that motivated Christ to go to the cross.
This theological command is put in practical terms in verses 3-7. Paul mentions three witness killers: sexual sin (3a), self-indulgence (3b), and shameful speech (4).
He then outlines two warnings. First, the disobedient will be disowned by God (5). Second, deception into sin always leads to destruction (6). Paul concludes this section with one word of wisdom: Believers are never to let association lead to participation when it comes to sin (7).
In verse 8, the word “light” is introduced to contrast a Christian’s life of love with a lost person’s life of darkness. The two opposites are discussed, and then Paul once again warns against the power of darkness.
He then concludes by quoting the prophet Isaiah’s (60:1) invitation to all who have been lured to sleep by the deception of sin.
Live – what the Word says
Main application of the passage: A Christian’s life should be a reflection of the love of Christ. This reflection should be evident in the believer’s lifestyle in such a way that they appear as light in a dark world.
Application: I once heard a preacher say, “You are only as good publicly as you are privately.” We live in a day when too many Christians are good at compartmentalizing their lives. Whole areas of their lives seem to have little or no reflection of the gospel. They may attend church every Sunday, but secretly are addicted to pornography and unwilling to do anything about it. They may love to witness to others, yet never hesitate to verbally criticize their pastor. They may vote for a political candidate that believes prayer should be in every school, yet they never attend their church’s weekly prayer meeting. They may proudly promote their church’s programs to neighbors, yet never live on a budget in order to tithe. These are all examples of the inconsistency that creeps into our lives when we do not walk fully in the light of God’s love. This is Paul’s message. The gospel is either worth our whole life or it is not. There is no in-between in Scripture.
D.J. Horton– Lessons by D.J. Horton, pastor of Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church, Spartanburg, since 2004. Horton is a graduate of Auburn University and New Orleans Seminary.