Reading: Ephesians 5:1-20
Context: What does it mean to be “imitators of God as dearly loved children”?
This is one of the most important identity verses in Scripture. First, it underpins our identity in Christ. Second, it underpins how parenting and childhood work. Third, it points to something about how we emerge in life. Going through those things in a bit more detail. In Christ, we are children of God, and just as Jesus was keen to do what pleased His Father, we’re keen to do the same. We are called to make it our primary business to see what the Father is like and be like Him. Jesus Christ is our model. It’s also worth noting that we do this because the Father delights in having us; He cherishes us, and that relational connection further drives our desire to be like Him and pleasing to Him.
Linking that to the second aspect, we have the clear pattern that children are the dearly loved of their parents and so should see that as a pattern worth copying and as they do so over time, they become conditioned to that way so that it’s no longer just copying; it’s inhabiting; it is being. Connecting to the third point, our habits, character, and conduct reflect who we’ve been imitating and who we come from. Even if we suggest that no one explicitly models our lives, we didn’t become adults without influence; the way that influence shaped us in childhood, in those formative years, has a lasting impact that informs how we emerge in the current day. The considerable work of God as we become His children is in tending to all those formative issues to replace them with something new – something better.
Content: How does Paul contrast the works of darkness with the fruit of light?
Interesting terms describe the works of darkness (I didn’t note any seven deadly sins here, though). Sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness – described further as idolatry, filthiness, foolish talk, crude joking, and drunkenness are listed in this section as the hallmarks of dark living.
The contrast Paul draws is richer than a list of “don’ts” set against a list of “dos”. He calls the one set “works” and the other “fruit”, and the choice of words matters. Works are things we grind out ourselves, and Paul calls them unfruitful (v. 11) because they leave us empty. Fruit is what grows when a life is connected to the right source. So the fruit of light, which Paul names as goodness, righteousness and truth (v. 9), is the natural result of being “light in the Lord” (v. 8) rather than a standard we strain to reach. Notice, too, that the dark list is mostly about appetite: grasping for more, whether bodies, possessions or drink. The light list is about character and integrity. Darkness takes in order to feel full, while light gives out because it already is full.
Paul’s contrast doesn’t stop at the two lists. In verse 11, he says to have nothing to do with the fruitless works of darkness, and then adds, “rather expose them”. That second instruction is easy to miss. Light does more than keep itself clean. By its nature, it shows things for what they are (v. 13). Paul isn’t telling believers to stand in judgement over others, since he has just reminded them they were once darkness themselves (v. 8). He means that a life lived in goodness, righteousness and truth shows up the emptiness of the alternative simply by being there. This guards against two opposite mistakes: joining in with the culture around us, and withdrawing from it. Paul asks for a visible, attractive difference. Because he also tells us to “find out what pleases the Lord” (v. 10), we do this as dearly loved children, copying a Father whose own light is love, rather than as anxious people trying to avoid failure.
Concept: What is the connection between being “filled with the Spirit” and worship?
Those filled with the Holy Spirit have their hearts and minds focused on God through Jesus Christ. Their desire and habit are to live in ways that point to Him. After all, the Holy Spirit comes from God to point people to God. It’s fitting, then, that the way back to God is to love Him, adore Him, praise Him, and declare His mighty works and awesome character. Those are the same aspects present in worship. Jesus points out that the kind of worshippers God is looking for are those who worship in the Spirit and truth. Hence, true worship requires the Spirit, and being full of the Spirit will naturally lead to worship.
Paul’s wording in Ephesians 5:18 adds some helpful detail. He sets being filled with the Spirit against being drunk with wine, and the comparison is instructive. Both involve something taking hold of a person, but drunkenness leaves a person diminished and out of control, while the Spirit’s filling restores and strengthens. The command is also in the present tense, so it describes an ongoing habit of being filled rather than a one-off experience. Worship is how that ongoing filling shows. Paul says it comes out in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; in singing and making music from the heart to the Lord; and in constant thanksgiving (vv. 19–20). Notice too that the first of these is spoken: “to one another”. Spirit-filled worship isn’t only a private vertical moment, because it builds up the people around us, and Paul goes straight on to mutual submission (v. 21). So worship is both the evidence that we’re being filled and the way we stay open to it. A person who regularly gives thanks and sings of God’s character keeps their heart pointed where the Spirit is already pointing it, which makes it easier to keep being filled.
Conclusions: How can you practically “make the most of every opportunity”?
This is the question of questions. This is where the rubber hits the road. Making the most of every opportunity is about operating with a Kingdom mentality at all times. Opportunistic folks are ever sniffing for the slightest moment to capitalise on something to their advantage. Making the most of every opportunity is having the mindset and thus the ability to capitalise on every single moment as one in which Kingdom business can be done. Every moment is one for the light to shine. Every moment is an opportunity to convey the character, conduct, and cause of Christ compellingly. Making the most of every opportunity, practically, starts with praying for the eyes to see, the feet to walk, the mouth to speak, and the hands to act when the opportunity arises.
This is about the mindset that focuses on being imitators of the Father, as we’re His dear children. This mentality seeks to show thanksgiving, recognise where the love and forgiveness of Jesus can be put into effect, and wonder how God’s wisdom can be deployed to bring about God’s kind of peace. This mentality conforms every single situation in life as a God opportunity. Making a hot beverage, journey to work, waking up, brushing your teeth, having a shower, depositing biological waste, having a meal, interacting with the woman at the counter, the doctor’s appointment, returning the books to the library so they’re not overdue, the conversation with the child about how school was, the chat with your wife about her day, the conversation with friends on how the local team could throw a three goal lead away in their game against local rivals, confessing your anxieties and shortcomings, celebrating your wins, going to sleep – every single aspect of life can be viewed from the perspective of how can God get the glory out of this, in what way can the will of my Father be enacted, where can the name of Jesus be promoted?
Next time:
WIWO – Ephesians – Episode Eleven: Relationships – Marriage
Reading – Ephesians 5:21-33
What a difference Jesus makes in our lives. What a difference the Holy Spirit makes in our lives. What a difference the gospel makes in our lives. That kind of difference should motivate us all the more to get God’s Word In so we can live His Word Out.
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
