STUDY ON THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS
WALKING IN THE LIGHT
Read Ephesians 5:8-20
Introduction
The main theme of this text is that we are called to stay away from the sins of the world that are dark and foreboding; we are called to keep our focus in the Light of our Lord. In this way, we can be the living examples of what Christ does for us. If we seek what is dark when we are saved, we forsake so much. Why do this to ourselves and others? Remember, we are His children, so let’s seek how to please Him and live worthy lives instead of playing in darkness. We can shine light so people will realize that sin is foolish and shameful. We can be used to wake people up from their evil so they can have a transformed and meaningful lives, too. Be careful how we live and make sure it is Christ-like, not worldly–not unwise and foolish. Christ is the One who is to stimulate our hearts and minds, not the substances of worldliness. We can be people who worship Christ, who are filled with the Holy Spirit and are grateful. We can encourage and inspire others to be their best for His glory.
The passing from darkness to light.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.”” (vv8-12)
As we studied last week, Paul condemned those who practiced fornication, uncleanness, or covetousness as the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 5:6), he also recognized that this was the exact darkness Christians had emerged from. But now, having been enlightened, we are to walk as children of the light. Instead of associating with ungodliness, we expose the unfruitful works of darkness. However, we do not do this for the purpose of merely talking about them (which is shameful), but for the purpose of educating ourselves enough to avoid them.
Walking in the light.
“But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore, He says: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”” (vv13-14)
Even the things done in secret will be exposed. They will be made manifest by the light of God’s searching judgment. Jesus puts it this way:
“For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:22-23)
When Paul said: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead”, he was speaking to Christians. A Christian may be asleep and not know it. If you are asleep, you probably do not know it. As soon as you become aware of your sleep, it is evidence that you are now awake. The man who is asleep does not care what becomes of his neighbours; how can he while he is asleep? Some of you Christians do not care whether souls are saved or damned… It is enough for them if they are comfortable in themselves. They are happy and content enough if they can attend a respectable place of worship and go with others to heaven, but they are indifferent about others and their eternal destiny.
Make the Most of Every Opportunity
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (vv15-16)
In our light-living, then, we are to “be very careful,” to be “wise,” making the most of every opportunity to shine for God (Ephesians 5:15-16). There were two ancient Greek words used for time. One had the idea simply of day upon day and hour upon hour. The other had the idea of a definite portion of time, a time where something should happen. It is the difference between “time” and “the time”. The idea here is of the time; it is a definite season of opportunity that Christians must redeem.
Paul isn’t telling us to make the most of every moment, even though that is good advice. He tells us to seize opportunity for the glory of Jesus. It isn’t to make the most of time, but to make the most of the time. The idea behind “redeeming the time” is that you buy up opportunities like a shrewd businessman. You make the most of every opportunity for Jesus Christ.
Beloved, the days are evil. If it was in Paul’s time, it is more so now. These are desperate times therefore, as believers in Christ, we must redeem the time. The Message Translation puts verse 16 this way: “So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!”
Avoid Drunkenness
“Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation…” (vv17-18a)
Our standard is not what others do, or what we can get away with, but what God’s will is. Paul’s society, as ours, was afflicted with drunkenness as an escape. But alcohol and mind-altering drugs, while facilitating escapism, dull the believers from the true-life Christ expect of us.
In Paul’s day drunkenness came primarily from wine and beer. They didn’t have distilled spirits in those days. Nor did they have marijuana, cocaine, heroin, crack, barbiturates, methamphetamine, or fentanyl. Our culture has a serious problem with the desire to get high. We are admonished to avoid intoxication! Instead, we are to seek another kind of intoxicant, another kind of “high,” the fullness of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
Be Filled with the Spirit
“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (v18)
The filling of the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event that we live off of the rest of our days. It is a constant filling, asking to be filled, and receiving the filling by faith. There is a wonderful and significant first experience with the filling of the Holy Spirit, often thought of as the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11, Acts 1:5 and 11:16). This is an experience valid and important for every believer. However, the filling experience must continue. Much of the weakness, defeat and lethargy in our spiritual life can be attributed to the fact that we are not constantly being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Paul contrasts the effect of the Holy Spirit with the state of drunkenness. Alcohol is a depressant; it “loosens” people because it depresses their self-control, their wisdom, their balance and judgment. The Holy Spirit has an exactly opposite effect. He is a stimulant; He moves every aspect of our being to better and more perfect performance.
Singing to One Another and to God
“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (vv19-20)
When we are filled with the Spirit, we will have a desire to worship God and to encourage others in their worship of God. The connection with being filled with the Spirit and praise is significant. Those who are filled with the Spirit will naturally praise, and praise is a way that we are filled with the Spirit.
Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs: This variety suggests that God delights in creative, spontaneous worship. The most important place for us to have a melody unto God is in our heart. Many who can’t sing a beautiful melody with the voice can have beautiful melodies in their heart. The emphasis is more on variety than on strict categories. “We can scarcely say what is the exact difference between these three expressions.
Giving thanks always for all things to God: The one who is filled with the Spirit will also be filled with thanksgiving. A complaining heart and the Holy Spirit just don’t go together.
Notice that verse 19a focuses on the effect of our songs on one another (“Sing to one another…”), while verse 19b looks at our musical worship as it relates to God (“Giving thanks to God…”). The manner of these Spirit-filled praises is always God-oriented: “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 6:20). An attitude of thankfulness underlies all true worship.
