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Ephesians Lesson 6

LIVE AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT

Ephesians 5:1-21
Key verse: 5:8

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”

When we open the Bible, we find that the first words God spoke in history were, “Let there be light.” When God said, “Let there be light,” there was light. And the darkness disappeared and was displaced by the light. These days, we notice that the world we live in is becoming darker and darker. But we don’t need to blame the darkness because it is simply doing what darkness does. The only remedy for darkness is light. If the world is becoming dark, the problem is not with the darkness of the world. The problem is with the light. Jesus called each of his disciples to be the light of the world to shine his marvelous light to all those living in darkness. What an awesome responsibility we have! In today’s passage, Apostle Paul gives us detailed instructions concerning how we can live as children of light in this dark world.

First, be imitators of God (1-7)

Look at verse 1. “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.” When I went to Sao Paulo in Brazil last week, I visited a college campus on the first day of classes. I saw so many students were dancing and drinking even though it was raining. They were having a freshman welcoming party. Surprisingly enough, I found that they were dancing not to Brazilian music but to American rock-and-roll music. I realized that many young people of the world today try to imitate the American way. Before we met Christ, we also followed the trends of the sinful world. But now we should be imitators of God as his dearly loved children.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), a music genius, had his first piano concert at the age of five. But he learned to play piano by imitating the way his father played it. Daniel Eden likes to experiment many things. It’s because he imitates his father, who is a chemistry professor. A thief had a son. But he didn’t want his son to be a thief. So he said to his son, “My son, do not steal.” But what his son learned from his father was nothing but stealing. Children learn good things and bad things from their parents. They learn things more by watching and imitating than by any other way. Some people think that children should be creative not imitating, but imitation is a very effective way to learn things. Just as children copy their parents, we should copy our heavenly Father.

But how can we imitate God who is invisible? First of all, we can imitate God through studying and obeying his words. When the people of Israel came out of Egypt, they didn’t know who God was. But the Lord gave them the Ten Commandments to teach them the basic requirements for the holiness of God. He also designated the system of the blood sacrifice in the temple, so that they might taste the glimpse of the holiness of God. All the requirements of the law were fulfilled when Jesus the Son of God came to this world and shed his precious blood on the cross. Once Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (Jn 14:9) Jesus is the Incarnate God, the radiation of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being. Therefore, we can imitate God by imitating Jesus. (Hebrews 1:3a)

Look at verse 2. “And live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” We can also imitate God by living a life of love, just as Jesus loved us. Jesus gave his command to his disciples to love one another just as he loved them. God is love. Therefore, God’s children must live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. It means that we should even love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. (Mt 5:43-44) How can we love our enemies? It is possible when we remember how Jesus loved us. Jesus didn’t love us because we were lovely or righteous. He loved us when we were his enemies. We were disobedient, rebellious and overbearing. But he suffered and died for us on the cross. In order to love us he had to endure all the shame and pains and shed his precious blood on the cross. His love is unconditional, ever-forgiving and sacrificial. God was fully satisfied by Jesus’ sacrificial death for us and accepted it as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to him. We may do many things for God. But when we love one another in obedience to his command, he is pleased the most.

Look at verses 3-4. “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. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” Here, Saint Paul emphasizes the importance of purity in Christian living. Purity is a “must.” Unless we are pure, we cannot see God. We should be pure in heart, mind, conversation and behavior. We should be pure sexually, mentally, verbally and spiritually. Purity is the mark of God’s children. Therefore, Apostle Paul seriously warns against any form of impurity.

In verses 5 and 6, he explains why there shouldn’t be even a hint of impurity in Christian living. Read verses 5 and 6. “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person – such a man is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.” Here, we learn the certainty of God’s judgment. Some people say that God is so full of love that he would not condemn those who sinned, but that he would save all sinners eventually. They deny God’s judgment. Some people even say that there is no such a thing as sin, and so we can do whatever we want to. That sounds very persuasive. But that’s a lie. God is not only full of love but also full of holiness and righteousness. There will be God’s judgment upon all kinds of impurity.

Living among ungodly and immoral people in the world, it’s easy to be influenced by them, like Lot in Genesis who lived in Sodom. Look at verse 7. “Do not be partners with them.” It does not mean that we should segregate ourselves from the world. Rather, we should influence them instead of being influenced by them. We should be imitators of God, not of the world.

Second, live as children of light. (8-14)

Read verse 8. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Although we once lived in the darkness of sin, in his great mercy God brought us into the light of Jesus Christ. Now, we are no longer darkness but light in the Lord. Therefore, we as children of light should reflect the light of Jesus through our practical lives. Look at verses 9 and 10. “(For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what please the Lord.” The fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth. According to Galatians 5:22, the fruit of light is the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Good children try to please their parents. Likewise, we should also try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. However, by nature, we can neither please God nor can we bear the fruit of the light. We can bear the fruit of the light in our lives only through the union with Christ. We have to put off our old self and put on the new self in Christ Jesus. (4:22-24)

It is good to hear that there are so many Christians in the world. But the problem is not the number of Christians in the world but the influence of Christians. One of the great evangelists in the US once said that one of the main reasons that the people of the world do not want to believe that Jesus is their Lord and Savior is that they have never met a true Christian. However, there was a Jewish medical doctor. He would never allow himself to open his heart toward Christianity. However, while he was taking care of many patients, he was deeply touched by one of them, an old Christian lady who was dying with cancer. The lady was gracious and peaceful even when she was even in the lowest point of her life. The lady even thanked him for his treatment and care. Then the doctor became curious about the one on whom she put her trust. Later, he began to read the New Testament and accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord. We try to evangelize people who are very hardened hearted with the words of our mouth and fail. But influence can go further than the words of our mouth. It can penetrate the walls of hostility.

Look at verses 11-14.  In these verses, Paul teaches us that light should not be hidden under the table. Instead, it should be put on the table so that it may give light to everyone. When we live a life of faith in Jesus, people make fun of us or try to avoid us. Why? It’s because the darkness of their sins are exposed by the light. It’s hard to find even one person who is interested in Bible study. But we don’t have to blame the darkness of the world. All we need to do is to shine the light of Jesus through our lives of faith. We should also be willing to share the word of God with them whether they believe it or not. We are to shine on those who live in darkness. Our responsibility as the light in the darkness of the world is tremendously important. Jesus also said in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Third, be wise (15-17)

Read verses 15 and 16. “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” ” These verses remind us of what Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 10:16, which says, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” The world we live in is a dog-eat-dog world. People in the world are extremely materialistic, seductive, competitive and deceptive. Purity is not valued or appreciated by the world. Innocent people can be easily victimized by the world. Therefore, we need to be both pure and wise.

How can we be wise? First of all, we need to learn to make the most of every opportunity. In other words, we should not waste our time because the days are not only evil but also passing. Time and opportunity never wait for us. None of us can stretch time. The foolish men are those who waste their time and miss opportunity. Wise men are those who use their time to the fullest possible advantage and grab the opportunity. There is time for everything. There is time when God wants us to dedicate ourselves to his work. But many people wants to serve God when they have nothing else to do. But that’s a great mistake.  Ecclesiastes 12:1 says, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them.”

Look at verse 17. “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Most people want to do what they want to do rather than do what the Lord wants them to do. They work hard to be rich and famous in the world. Some become very successful. However, after achieving success, many of them are frustrated, discovering that they have wasted their lives in pursuing their own selfish ambition. Jesus said in Mark 8:35 and 36, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” Nothing is more important in life than to discover and do the will of God. That’s why Jesus taught his disciple to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus also prayed earnestly before his death, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 -18 says, “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” There are many smart people in the world. But it’s hard to find a few wise men. A man who discovers and does the will of the Lord is a wise man who can be truly happy and successful.

Fourth, be filled with the Spirit. (18-21)

Look at verse 18. “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Since the beginning of human history, the drinking problem has been one of the most serious problems among men and women. Even the righteous man, Noah, got drunk and became naked. Probably many people who get drunk also get high on drugs. People drink and take drugs to escape from reality and to feel good about themselves. However, when they are drunken, they cannot have sober judgment. A few days ago, a fire broke out in a night club. Many people who got drunk thought that the fire was a part of the performance. Drunkenness caused people to lose self control and leads them to debauchery. When we are drunk, we can only live as children of darkness. So Paul commands us not to be drunk but to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Although when we are drunk, we lose self-control, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we don’t lose self-control but gain self-control.

Read verses 19-21. “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spirituals songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Verses 19-21 show the signs of Spirit-filled life. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, our hearts are filled with joy, peace and love. So we can fellowship with one another with spiritual songs and worship and glorify the Lord. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are full of thanksgiving. We become more God-centered. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are no longer afraid of men. We don’t become conceited, judgmental or angry. Instead, we become peaceful, courageous, patient and loving. Most of all, we become humble, being submissive to one another. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we become like Jesus. There is no better way to live as children of light in this dark world than to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

To be filled with the Holy Spirit can be identical with to be filled with the word of God. Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” Jesus also said in John 6:63, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I spoke to you are spirit and they are life.”

Therefore, no matter how busy we may be, we should take time to be holy. Whether we are successful or failing, we should make time to pray and study the word of God sincerely from our hearts. No matter how dark the world is, the problem is not with the darkness of the world. The problem is with the light. We are called to be light of the world to shine the light of Jesus through our lives. When God’s light is allowed to shine unhindered through our lives, the darkness around us will disappear. Does the light of Jesus shine from your life to your friends and coworkers? May the Lord enable us to be imitators of God and live as children of light in this dark world.