Ephesians - Followers

Followers

Question of the day:  How soon do you put up Christmas decorations and when do you take them down? 

This morning we are starting in Ephesians 5.  This chapter is rich and tricky.  As I have been saying this entire study, don't forget what the author has already written.  It must all work together or we loose the real message.  

READ: Ephesians 5:1-7

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.[a] 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. 

Verse 7 here is interesting.  Here it says to not be partners with them,  other versions say to not associate with them, I prefer the NASB version which reads....

NASB Verse 7

 Therefore do not be partakers with them;

I prefer this version because the same word Paul uses earlier in chapter 3.  I think it helps us to better understand what is being said here.  In the NIV it reads....

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

So here it is translated sharers together..
in the NASB it reads... 

and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, Ephesians 3:6

What is interesting about this?  Well Paul is not saying we need to avoid non believers, after all he himself was called to go and convert the gentiles and you can't convert them without going to them.  It isn't about not working with them at your place of business.  What it is saying here is that we don't want to be partakers with them, because we are now partakers of the promise in Jesus Christ through the Gospel.  Look at the beginning of this chapter it is clear that the author is setting the foundation or even stating what everything else in the chapter refers to.  He is saying, you are now children of God, so you can't also be partakers of the other side.  We know this is true because of how he continues in verse 8.

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. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:“Wake up, sleeper,    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I want us to take a moment and discuss verses 11-14

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:“Wake up, sleeper,    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

When we read expose them, what first comes to mind?

I think that it must be saying to call people out on their deeds of darkness, right?

But wait the very next verse says it is shameful to even mention what the disobedient do in secret.  So don't call them out?

Okay so what are we supposed to do?

He goes on to say that they will be exposed by the light and everything that is illuminated becomes a light...  What?

This is not about exposing or telling or calling out people for their sin.  It is about you LIVING as you should.  Living a righteous life, a life of truth and goodness.  This isn't about the righteous calling out sinners it is about YOU.  This is all about you.  NOT anyone else. He isn't calling you to call out anyone. 

What he is saying her is live as children of light.  Live as a child of God and in doing so living as a child of light, God's light will expose the darkness.  God will shine a light on all that He wants to do in your life, and then you will also become a light.

Oh God forgive us for using this to justify calling out people when what he is calling us to do is to live as the children of God that we are. 

This is a beautiful description of why we should live this way.  Living this way doesn't earn our salvation but living this way gives us the opportunity to share Him to be a light to others.  We can't be partakers of the darkness and shine for Jesus.  We can't Share Love, if we don't KNOW Love, and LIVE LOVE!!!! 

Happy Sabbath!