Ephesians 5 - A call to purity

(Audio: English)

SUMMARY: In Ephesians 5, the Apostle Paul calls for Christians to live a life of purity and holiness, imitating God as dearly loved children. Paul explains that this call to holiness applies to all areas of life, including the mind, relationships, speech, and behavior. To imitate God, Christians must understand His character and attributes, observing and imitating the way Jesus acted in various situations. Although the challenge of imitating God is daunting, Paul encourages Christians to approach it with the innocence and simplicity of a child of God.

The Bible calls us to simplicity of heart and innocence of attitude. The wisdom of the child of God has a good-naturedness to it, which is different from the sophisticated and cynical rational mind. When we receive the mind of Christ, we can analyze anything, whether it be scientific, artistic, legal, governmental, logical or spiritual. Love is the sum total of every virtue, and it is the foundation and crowning virtue of being an imitator of God. The call to love is the essence of being an imitator of God. The life of purity begins with a life of love, of living a life that is a sacrifice unto God. The call to holiness is a very practical call, actually. It’s a call simply for our own good. It’s not because God wants to be a party pooper. The Bible also calls us to live such lives of purity that not even a hint of sexual immorality is present. The call to purity is a radical departure from the way the world sees these things. Christians should be careful about how they use their mouth and how they talk. Instead of using our mouths for silly or obscene things, we should use it to thank God for all that he has done. The Bible warns that no immoral, impure, or greedy person has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. We should not be deceived with empty words.

The Apostle Paul warns the Ephesians not to be deceived by empty words and to live a life of purity and holiness, as they were once darkness but are now light in the Lord. They are called to find out what pleases the Lord and to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather to expose them. This includes exposing the darkness in themselves and seeking help from others. Living a life of purity and holiness leads to joy, vitality, and intimacy with God. The speaker encourages the congregation to embrace this call and commit to a life of holiness, being resources for others who are struggling with sinfulness.

Let’s go to the word of God, Ephesians, chapter 5. Who would have thought that we would have been still in Ephesians, after all these months. When I started, I remember just doing that chapter on the armor of God and then going back very innocently and saying, ok, we’ll take a couple of weeks, 2 or 3 weeks and do the rest of Ephesians. Well, here we are, many, many months after, but I hope it’s been good and I hope it’s been instructive for you.

Chapter 5 of Ephesians, verse 1, beginning with verse 1, it says: “Be imitators of God therefore –that therefore is very important because it suggests that it’s a conclusion of something that has come before, so- ….. be imitators of God therefore as dearly loved children and live a life of love just as Christ loved us, and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God. 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 –unsuitable, one would say,- for God’s holy people, nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure, no immoral, impure or greedy person, such a man as 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. Therefore, do not be partners with them, for you were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret, but everything exposed by the light becomes visible for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said, ‘Wake up, oh sleeper, rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you.’