In the first half of this chapter (vs.1-21) the apostle Paul exhorts the saints to walk in love (v.2), light (v.8), and circumspectly (v.15). The latter half (vs.22-33) deals with Christian marriage.
The real Christian life is more than a profession, it is a practical walk. A walk implies some things:
• Life – dead men can't walk (Eph. 2:1)
• Liberty – those that are bound can't walk (Rom. 6:17)
• Light – we don't walk in darkness because we wouldn't know where we are going (v.8)
[1] 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.
Modern versions change “followers” to “imitators.” The greatest imitator of God is Satan (2 Thess. 2:4), but he certainly doesn’t follow God. Satan has imitation bibles that his imitation preachers preach out of to imitation Christians. We need real Christianity, not an imitation! The children of Satan follow their father (Jn. 8:44). As followers of God we need to forgive (the “therefore” points us back to 4:32) and love as He does. We can only do this by His Spirit in us, not by trying to imitate Christ in our flesh. Asking, “What would Jesus do?” while trying to imitate Him in the flesh is ridiculous. The flesh cannot be like Christ (Rom. 7:18; 8:8)!
We are not to selfishly absorb all of God’s blessings like a sponge. We are to be a channel that He can work through. It is a great blessing to be forgiven of all our sins. We are to forgive others even as God has forgiven us for Christ’s sake. It is a great blessing to know the love of God. We are to love others even as Christ has loved us.
Notice that love is something we are to WALK in. Many talk about love, but not many walk in it. There is a vast difference between human love and God’s love. We learn some things about real love in this context. It is:
1) Sacrificial
2) Not based on performance of the object (Rom. 5:8)
3) Speaks the truth (Eph. 4:15)
4) Righteous (vs.3-21)
The sacrifice of Christ is the only payment God accepts for sin. The proof that He accepted the payment is the resurrection. He will not accept your works! The work of Christ was a sweet smelling savor to God. The works of the flesh have a foul odor of "filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6).
[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.
God sets a high standard for His children (“let it not be once named among you”)! We know that Paul is talking about the lost world that are still in their sins in v.5 because he calls them “children of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2). We are not living in the time of God’s wrath, but we must warn the lost of the wrath they will face if they die lost or if they are left behind after the rapture.
The words “becometh” (v.3) and “convenient” (v.4) have similar meanings. Both refer to that which is fitting, proper, or suitable. In this passage Paul mentions six things that are not fitting, proper, or suitable for a Christian to partake in and then mentions something that is; giving thanks. Thanksgiving is an integral part of the Christian walk (Col. 2:6-7). Thankfulness is a mark of true spirituality (vs.18-21). In light of ALL that God has done for us (Eph. 1-3), it is convenient for us to constantly be giving Him thanks. So, an unthankful Christian is very inconvenient.
In v.4 we are told what kind of talk is not convenient for saints, and the kind that is. The Christian walk is more about what we do than what we don’t do. Upon salvation God took us out of the old man (flesh) and put us in the new man (Body of Christ). We must practically put off the old man and put on the new (Eph. 4:22-24). This should show up in our words (Eph. 4:25, 29). Corrupt communication comes from a corrupt heart (Eph. 4:22; Matt. 12:33-35). Jesting is also corrupt communication. Jesting is not merely humor, it has to do with telling stories for the purpose of diversion and merriment. Much of what is called preaching today is jesting. Bad doctrine is also corrupt communication (opposite of edifying, 1 Cor. 15:33; Titus 2:7-8). If you really believe the sound doctrine of the word of God, you will talk about it (2 Cor. 4:13).
[7] Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
In salvation we are reconciled to God and therefore He no longer sees us as “children of disobedience.” As children of God we are followers of God (v.1), but because we still have the flesh it is possible to be partakers with this present evil world. We do this by having fellowship with the world instead of separating from it. If we don’t stand against sin and separate from it, we are partakers with the world even if we don't do everything they do. In other words, even though we are not of the world we can be an accomplice with the world. Does your walk condemn or condone the world (Heb. 11:7)? Sadly, lost sinners can point to many professing Christians and say, “They are not much different than me!”
Of course, separation from the world doesn't mean we don't have compassion on the lost. The separated Christian is not to look down on the world with an “holier than thou” attitude. We are sinners saved by grace! True biblical separation is not isolation, but contact without contamination. We must work to reach the world, but we will not reach the world by being like the world! A ship in the water is good, but water in a ship is a major problem. A lack of true biblical separation hinders the cause of Christ. It greatly reduces the power and effectiveness of our testimony and witness.
[8] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
[9] (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
[10] Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Before salvation we were dead in sins and in spiritual darkness (Eph. 4:18). When we believe the light of the gospel we become children of light “in the Lord” (1 Thess. 5:5). God is light (1 Jn. 1:5) and we are in Him. That is the standing of every believer. However, we must learn to walk in the light (i.e. the truth of God’s word, Ps. 119:105). We are to put on the armor of light (Rom. 13:12) and shine as lights in this dark world (Phil. 2:15). Those that walk in the light bear the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). This ninefold fruit (character of Christ) is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. What is your standard for what is acceptable? The sincere Christian that walks in the light seeks to prove with his life what is acceptable to the Lord.
[11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
[12] For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
[13] But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
[14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
What fellowship does light have with darkness? None (2 Cor. 6:14-18)! The light of our righteous walk (by Christ in us) should reprove those around us that walk in darkness. Our presence should make them feel ashamed (so much for “seeker sensitive” church services). Worldly “churches” literally and spiritually dim the lights to make sinners feel comfortable. Usually people try to hide their sin (but no secret place with God, Jer. 23:24). We are living in an evil day in which sinners boldly proclaim and promote their sins. Lost sinners and carnal believers don’t like the light of God’s word because it manifests their dark heart and reproves them. They want to be comforted and not convicted. I think that v.14 is a verse that many believers today need to take heed to because they seem to be asleep to spiritual things (Rom. 13:11-14; 1 Cor. 15:33-34). We need to wake up and turn on the lights!
Reference Bibles usually say v.14 is a general citing of Isa. 60:1, but the more I think about it the less I think Paul is quoting from the OT in this verse. God is saying through him that we need to wake up and shine HIS light. There is often a need for spiritual revival in our life. As to our standing, we are spiritually awake, alive, and in the light. But as to our state, we may walk like we are spiritually asleep, dead, and still in darkness (1 Tim. 5:3-6). Sleeping Christians are lethargic if not unconscious to spiritual realities and responsibilities. Dead Christians are those that walk after the flesh instead of in the Spirit. We must personally choose to wake up. Nobody can do it for us. Under the kingdom program it is required to be wide awake watching for the coming of the Lord in order to enter the kingdom (Matt. 24:42-25:13). In this age of grace, every member of the Body of Christ is going up in the rapture to be glorified with Christ whether they are sleeping or watching (1 Thess. 5:5-11). Some teach that carnal believers will be left behind at the rapture to be chastened in the tribulation. That would be a rupture, not a rapture!
[15] See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
[16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
[17] Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Those that are wise know the will of God and walk according to it. We don’t have to find the will of God because God has revealed it in His word. But it requires spiritual understanding to know it (Col. 1:9). We are living in enemy territory and therefore we must walk circumspectly (carefully, cautiously, looking all around). Yet many seem to be careless and casual instead of cautious about their Christian walk. The world, Satan, and our own flesh is against us and we would be fools to not take that seriously (Prov. 22:3; 27:12). Standards of biblical separation do not make us spiritual, but spiritual saints will have standards so that they will not make provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof (Rom. 13:11-14).
To redeem the time is to buy it up so not to waste it (Col. 4:5). We redeem the time by doing the will of God. It is one thing to know the will of God, but it is something else to actually DO IT (Ps. 143:10). There is plenty to distract and cause us to waste time in these evil days in which we are living. We must determine with a purposed heart to invest our time in spiritual things that will count for ETERNITY (like Bible study and evangelism). We know that it is the will of God for souls to be saved and learn the truth (1 Tim. 2:4). What kind of time are we investing in the work of the ministry? Sadly, most are wasting time instead of redeeming it!
[18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
[19] Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
[20] Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
[21] Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
In this one sentence Paul describes true spirituality. We are not to be controlled by the flesh (Gal. 5:21; 1 Cor. 6:12), but by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is in every believer (Rom. 8:9), but we are only as filled with Him as we are yielded to Him. We are only as filled with Him as we are filled with the word of God (Col. 3:15-17, note the similarity with Eph. 5:18-21). Paul also exhorts us to be filled with “all the fulness of God” (Eph. 3:19) and the “fruits of righteousness” (Phil. 1:11). Obviously, we will not apprehend such goals in this life, but we need to press toward the mark (Phil. 3:12-14).
Notice that signs and wonders are not mentioned regarding the fulness of the Spirit. Under the kingdom program of Israel (as in Acts 2), the Holy Ghost CAME UPON people and supernatural manifestations (signs) were the evidence. Not so today! Spiritual saints don’t speak with tongues (signs have ceased, 1 Cor. 13:8-13), but with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
Verse 20 describes true thanksgiving:
• when (always)
• what (all things)
• whom (unto the Father)
• how (in the name of or Lord Jesus Christ)
The flesh wants to do anything but SUBMIT to others (v.21). Submission is an evidence of true spirituality (Phil. 2:1-5). The fear of God is a moral principle that still applies in this age of grace (2 Cor. 7:1; Phil. 2:12).
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