Monday, September 18
How to live
Scripture: Ephesians 5
Ephesians 5:1–2 Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children 2 and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.
Ephesians 5:8 for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light—
Ephesians 5:15 Therefore be very careful how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
Observation
I noticed that Paul gave three sets of do’s and don’ts. The NET recognized this with three paragraph headings:
Live in love (v. 1-5). Live in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. Don’t practice or even talk about immorality, impurity or greed.
Live in the light (v. 6-14). Walk in the light, in all goodness, righteousness and truth. Don’t participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness.
Live wisely (v. 15-21). Live wisely, understanding the Lord’s will and be filled with the Spirit. Don’t be drunk, which is debauchery (wastefulness, reckless abandon, behavior which shows lack of concern or thought for the consequences of an action).
Application
Being a Christian is way more than just a set of do’s and don’ts. It is a love relationship with God; it is a belief system; it is a community; it is a mission; it is a change…and it is a way of life. Some of my Christian friends cry foul when someone talks about morality, claiming that we’re reducing the gospel to moralism. That’s a very real danger. But so is ignoring what the Scripture says about the way we’re to live.
Paul’s letters often start with a theological section followed by the practical: this is what we believe and this is how we behave. Ephesians is a classic example. And this chapter is about how we live, both what to embrace (do this) and what to avoid (don’t do this).
Emphasizing the how without the what would be moralism. But once we’re solidly grounded in Christ and the gospel, we must live it out as Paul teaches here.
Live in love. Live in the light. Live wisely.
And that means not only the positive actions, but avoiding the negative.
Prayer: Lord, I love You. Help me today live as You desire: in love, light and wisdom…and avoiding the darkness.
More: Isaiah 35-36, James 5