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EPHESIANS

CHAPTER 5  (ESV)

¹ Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

³ But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. ⁴ Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. ⁵ 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. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not become partners with them; ⁸ for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), ¹⁰ and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹ Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. ¹³ But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, ¹⁴ for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

REFLECTION:

1. Paul continued on the subject of walking in a manner worthy of the calling, he urged them to follow God’s example and live loving (v1), holy lives (v2-14), responsive to the Holy Spirit (v15-18) and to one another (v19-20). Christlikeness is especially to be demonstrated by mutual submission in the Christian home (v21-33).
2. We are encouraged to follow the example set by God himself. This would be impossible if it were not for the fact that we are his “beloved children” (v1). As God’s children, his own life is planted deep within us. Because of this new life, it is now possible for us to actually be like God or to become like God. Therefore, we are to decide if we will become what we are in Christ, or if we will settle back down into living a mere human life.
3. Stay quietly for a few moments dwell on the words “imitator of God”. What comes to mind, Excitement? Joy? Shame? Disappointment? Frustration? Fear?  Talk to God about it.
4. Talk to God as a child to a father. Tell him how you would like to imitate him.

PRAYER:

In this list of common sins (v. 3-4), we often make exceptions for ourselves and justify what we do and how we feel. We even choose to listen to people and ideas that allow us to continue living in sin (v. 6). But God’s desire is for us to love selflessly. Ask the Lord to help you remember Christ’s selfless love for you so that you can leave your sin at the cross and the justifying to God alone.

HYMN:

“Oh The Deep, Deep Love” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqTMJxSA7EM