The three-part series just completed, called “Measure of Grace”, can be summarized by Paul’s injunction to put on our new self. Paul listed a number of behaviors we must practice to accomplish that, concluding with being kind to each other, soft-hearted, and forgiving each other.
Why? Because God in Christ forgave us!
As Chapter 5 begins, he offers another way of approaching this:
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph 5:1-2).
Walk in love. The ultimate behavior of perfect unity in Christ!
Paul now screeches to a stop with a series of strong warnings:
“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Eph 5:3-6).
Immorality – Impurity – Covetousness
These are some of the most challenging behaviors of disunity from God because of the damage they cause:
“Therefore do no become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you’” (Eph 5:7-14; Isaiah 60:1).
This is a vital picture of approaching the fork in the road to perfect unity with God. Turn toward the dark and reap darkness and judgment. Turn toward the light in repentance and reap light and the never-ending love of God, which in turn leads to restoration and forgiveness of sins and eternal life in perfect unity under the light of Christ!
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:15-21).
We are coming up on a full year of evil days amidst a never-ending pandemic and public panic. These seven verses nail down the light of walking in love:
- Be careful;
- Be wise;
- Make the best use of our time;
- Do not be foolish;
- Understand the Lord’s will;
- Be filled with the Spirit;
- Talk in psalms and spiritual songs;
- Make melody to the Lord;
- Give thanks always; and
- Submit to one another.