Live As Children of the Light

This morning I am reflecting on some direction Paul gave to the people of the church in Ephesus. Here are the verses - Ephesians 5:1-10 NIV:

[1] "Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and walk in the way 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 person 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."

Here Paul is addressing the Christian's, the followers of Jesus in this city that was originally Greek, and then flourishing under Roman rule.  The Christians here were likely a mix of gentiles and Jews, thus there were some who were raised outside the teachings of the Law, and Paul is providing a bit of a moral compass in these verses.

First, Paul starts by reminding them of the call to love.  As He wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians, love is the foundation of all, that which is most important, and which gives meaning to our acts and ministry (extreme paraphrase of 1 Cor 13). Above all else, we, as Christians, should be known for our love!  Let's make sure that we lay that foundation correctly before we move to the next verses, which build upon this first most important commandment, to Love. (See John 13: 34-35).

Paul continues on and addresses three larger areas of sinfulness that seem to be represented in the church in Ephesus, for why else would he speak about them?  He addresses sexual immorality, impurity and greed, and calls them to reject those in their lives.  The question that comes to mind, is why these three topics?

We know from Acts 19, that Ephesus was home to the temple to Artemis, and much of the trade in the city was related to her worship.  At one point, one of the silversmiths, whose trade in Artemis effects was impacted by the growing church under Paul, created such a stir that the city was in an uproar and rioting. However, logical that correlation might be, I don't think Paul was necessarily addressing the former followers of Artemis, but instead was looking at three of the most common issues we deal with even today.

Paul calls them all idolatry, and at the root, that is correct.  Idolatry is worshipping, or giving ones-self to some other life pursuit to the extent that it becomes something we adjust our life for, other than God.  When one is greedy, we are worshipping money and possessions.  When one is sexually immoral, one is worshipping their own sexual desire.  With impurity, the definition is a bit harder to nail down.  The Greek word originally used here is 'akatharsia' and that is defined as follows:

1) uncleanness
    a) physical
    b) in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living
         1) of impure motives

We can ascribe quite a few sin areas under the umbrella of impurity, but I think we could categorize this as thoughts that are not directed to God, but rather toward ourselves.  Paul talks later about changing our mind-set and setting our thoughts on things above (Col 3:2) and I think that is good guidance here, as it relates to understanding impurity.  We can be concerned about our lives here on earth to such an extent that we forget bout our heavenly call and invitation.  We are called to be world-changers (Matt 28:19-20 & Acts 1:8), not focused so much on our own luxury, wants and desires.

Back to Paul's letter, he then gets pretty direct, saying that any who practice these three sins will not have any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.  This is not speaking of those who struggle with these sins, but rather those that have identified themselves by their embrace of these, changing the way they think and act consistently.  He is addressing those that are more concerned with their own kingdom that Jesus' and have not recognized His Lordship over their lives.  He is also addressing those that were teaching something other than the Gospel, likely an encouragement to mix the following of Christ with some Greek or Roman religious practices.

Finally, Paul calls them to live as children of the Light.  He calls them to let the Light of Christ that is in them, shine out to the world.  He calls them to embrace those things that please the Lord.  In other words, stop thinking about ourselves, and start thinking about God, and what pleases Him.

The point for me this morning, is to look at my life, at the foundation of my actions and make sure that I am following the way of Love.  Secondly, I need to be making sure that my motives of my life's pursuits are God-focused rather than self-focused.  I need to look to my life, and adjust it as necessary, making sure that the light of Christ is illuminating my life and those who come in contact with me.  I want to live as a child of the light.

Amen.