Ephesians 5 from Jack

EPHESIANS 5

BE IMITATORS OF GOD

Verse 1-2

Be imitators of God. According to verse one and two of this chapter, Paul calls us to be imitators of God. God is love and Jesus is the greatest gift that we ever received from God. Jesus certainly has loved us and given Himself for us. He offered Himself to God as an offering and sacrifice on our behalf.  It is because of grace and love from God that we have been saved. Love is the foundation of Christian faith. If we do not have love to one another, then we do not know Christ. To imitate God means to be real, absolutely real. We have to walk as per our faith in Jesus Christ and make sure we are dwelling in His will. 

 

WALK WORTHY OF THE CALLING

Verse 3-7

The world is full of all kinds of evil; sexual immorality, lies, filthiness, deception, hypocrisy, theft etc. What is expected from those who have received the grace of salvation? We must be free from any hint of immorality or greed even words or jokes suggestive of immorality or greed are unbecoming to those who are saints (holy, set apart for God's purpose). This is a serious concern, for immoral or greedy persons have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, but instead will experience the full wrath of God.

LIGHT TO THE WORLD

Verse 8-10

Before coming to Christ, we were in darkness but now we are in the light which is the Lord and should walk as children of light. We are also the light to the whole world; we cannot continue to live as if we are still in darkness. The fruits expected of the children of light is; goodness, righteousness and truth. This is the only way the world will come to know Christ. By bearing such fruit, we fulfill our role as light by demonstrating what is well-pleasing to the Lord.

SEPARATE FROM DARKNESS.

Verse 11-14

Total separation from the darkness and all that goes with it is what Paul calls to all the saints. We are not to have fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness; e.g., fornication, uncleanness, covetousness etc. Instead, our task is to expose them. Things that we must expose are often so disgraceful, it is shameful to speak of them but by walking in the light, we can through example and word expose these works of darkness, thus the need to be light ourselves. Something that comes only from Christ gives light to those who were spiritually asleep and dead.

NEED TO BE WISE IN OUR WALK

Verse 15-21

We serve the God of all wisdom. In Christ we have wisdom that surpasses the understanding of all men. We need to walk wisely unlike fools, who care little about where they are going or what is happening. Most of us fall into the trap of sin because of our carelessness. We need to understand the greatest will of God over our lives and ensure that every action we take is in-line with His mighty will. The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in reminding us what the will of God is and therefore we need to be filled by the Holy Spirit and not wine like the fools. We cannot please God while going by the flesh. We need to utilize our time well; too much idleness can lead to great trouble for a saved Christian. If we have the Holy Spirit in us, then we can address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with our hearts.

HUSBANDS AND WIVES

Verse 22-33

Paul advises wives to submit to their husbands as the church submits to Christ. The husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. The wife needs to obey the husband as the church is required to obey and follow Christ.

On the other side of the coin, husbands are advised to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself so that the church could be sanctified. They are to love their wives just as Christ loved the church with a sacrificial love designed to bless and benefit their wives. Just as they love their own bodies, with a love that nourishes and cherishes their wives.

After marriage, they become one flesh and so when a husband loves and cherishes his wife, he is doing it to his own flesh, same to wives who are called to respect their husbands.

THE CHALLENGE

Christians need to understand that it is not just about going to church, preaching, witnessing or talking about Christ. We must imitate Christ. This means the world must able to see light in us. The way we talk, walk, and relate must be in–line with the word of God. Not only in public but also back at home with our families. We must represent Christ everywhere we go. We need to be Christ-like in nature and this means consistency-the ability to be the same all the time, not lukewarm. We are either cold or warm, in darkness or in light. I challenge you today to meditate upon what Paul is revealing through this fifth chapter. God bless you.