IMITATORS OF GOD

Lesson 11

Ephesians 5:1–14

Some believe. that the first two verses of chapter 5 belong with the material which has been treated in the previous chapter. However, it fits just as well with the thought the Apostle develops in the verses 3 to 14 of chapter 5. He will speak of the manner of life to which believers are called in distinction from unbelievers. Therefore let them imitate God!

To say that we cannot imitate God because He is elevated far above us is to miss the meaning of the words which Paul is addressing to these Christians in Ephesus. He would not tell them to do the impossible and then cause a whole way of life to be dependent upon it. Of course we must imitate God. As a child imitates his father so must the believer imitate His God. He is His child! He will not be able to do the things God does—neither can a child do the things his father does. Still, he imitates him. That is the calling of believers, as beloved children, to imitate God.

Walk in Love

The manner of our imitating God is found in the next verse: Walk in love. So we imitate God. Our whole manner of life must be characterized by love, i.e., the kind of love Christ manifested to us. This is true love and it is the kind which is approved of God. God showed His love to us in Christ and Christ has shown His love to us in our redemption. He gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. His love to us was sacrificial! That is the pattern for our love! This is well-pleasing to God as a sweet fragrance.

This manner of life must be well understood by those who are members of the body of Christ. They must realize that their salvation is indeed dependent on their belief, but this belief must give rise to a life which is in accordance with the will of God. Throughout the history of the church there has been the danger that men would stress true beliefs even at the expense of a true life-style. Paul warns his people concerning this error. They are living in a world which not only ridicules the cross, they are also living in a world where the fumes of Satan’s breath are in evidence wherever they turn. Immorality fills this world. All the talk of the present day that we are free from the law is denied by Paul and he shows the people of his day how dangerous it is to minimize but one of God’s commandments. Fornication and uncleanness are the terms he uses to cover all the immorality that is found in the world of the Ephesians. These things are common in the world of sin, but they should be unheard of among believers. They are imitators of God! Covetousness or greed too is totally out of place in the life of a child of God. Redemption does not only save from eternal damnation, it also changes every aspect of life in the here and now. They are saints!

Their minds should not have place for filthiness of thought which will result in filthy language or deed. Their minds are to be pure, and if the thought is pure, the language and deed will also be pure. Their speech must not be the speech of fools. This is empty speech which enriches no one. They must not make themselves guilty of language which has double meaning because such talk is not fitting for believers. Language is a good gift and must be used as such. Speech is a wonderful gift of God and must be used for the giving of thanks. Then the believer shows that “his mouth, too, has been redeemed” and that he is sensitive to the demands of the third, seventh and ninth commandments.

Needed Warning—Exclusion from Christ’s Kingdom

Those who do not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Neither do those who are fornicators or unclean persons or covetous men who are idolators! So important is the walk of life to which the believer is called. It must be emphasized that the Apostle always makes a distinction between falling into sin or living in it. Therefore, those who live an adulterous life, a life of uncleanness, have no part in the kingdom of Christ. The covetous man, or the greedy man, is here identified with idolaters. Greed leads to idolatry. They serve Mammon rather than God! For such there is no place in His kingdom! When will the church stop compromising on these things? You surely know it to be true, says the Apostle! Let no one, therefore, deceive you with empty words. Anyone who teaches that believers need not be concerned about these ethical matters is deceiving them. The wrath of God rests on the immoral acts of men and also rests on those who teach falsehoods.

Paul has bestowed a great deal of labor on the church at Ephesus and does not wish to see those labors to be of no effect. But, Christ has a far greater “investment” in this church. Surely, His labors may not be in vain! Therefore the Apostle tells believers not to be partakers with the unbelievers in a life which goes contrary to the demands of the Christ. Christ’s demands are always in perfect harmony with the law which God gave so many centuries before. Paul warns this people so that they may not be led astray. Before the gospel came to Ephesus these people, to whom he is writing, were in darkness and did the works of darkness just as the others. However, when the gospel came and the Spirit applied the Word to their hearts, they were changed. They became “light in the Lord.” Is it, then, not logical that they should now walk as children of the light? It is a beautiful expression which he uses, i.e., they are children, or the offspring, of light. They must now be true to their new nature and so walk before Him. It is very easy for them to know whether or not they are walking as children of light. The fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. Their walk of life will not save them, but their walk of life will be the fruit of their salvation! Paul and James are often contrasted by men today as though they are in total disagreement with each other. Paul emphasizes faith and its content and James emphasizes the fruit of that faith. Each one has a different emphasis, but both speak of faith and both speak of the life as the result of faith. There is no disagreement but perfect harmony!

Fruit of the Spirit

How can a child of God be sure that he is really a child of God? This is the question which has plagued many people through the ages. Is there a possibility that He will speak directly to us to assure us of the fact that we belong to Him? Are there certain experiences which I must have before I can be sure? No, He has spoken in His Word and that is enough! When these Ephesian Christians believe the gospel as Paul has declared it to them and walk according to the demands of that gospel, they have the assurance of faith! This proves what is well-pleasing to the Lord! That is all they need.

No Fellowship With Works of Darkness

Once more Paul refers to the deeds of the unbelievers as he had spoken of them in the early part of this chapter. The believers must not have fellowship, must not partake, of these deeds. Really, they cannot have fellowship with these deeds because they are works of darkness while the believer is a child of light. Besides, they are unfruitful works while the believer’s life must be fruitful. He is called to reprove these works of darkness. Yet, the things which the unbelievers do in secret—it is even a shame to speak of them, says Paul. If you cannot speak of them, how can you reprove them? Precisely in the way he had outlined in the previous verses. By their walk, their godly walk, they will reprove the works of darkness. Men will be able to see the emptiness of the unbeliever’s life in the light of the godly walk of believers. Here, as in so many places, Paul teaches the antithesis! There is no compromise possible between light and darkness; between the life of the believer and the unbeliever; between good and evil. The lines are drawn sharply! The gospel of Jesus Christ cannot and may not be tied to the mistaken notions of other religions!

Only when the lines are sharply drawn will the works of darkness be exposed for what it really is. Only the light which believers have and are is able to expose the evil. Whenever God’s people compromise their beliefs, the gospel is obscured and the unbeliever is left in the dark. The true light of the gospel makes visible the true character of sin. For his own welfare the believer must walk according to the principles shown him in the Word of God, but also for the welfare of his fellowman. The child of God is doing no one a service by minimizing the sin of others. Only the light makes things manifest—let it then shine!

Rise and Shine

The words found in verse 14 are a quotation but we do not know the source of this quotation with any certainty. Many believe that the Apostle is quoting Isaiah 60:1, but it certainly is not a verbatim quotation. Nor is this of much importance. He quotes with approval and makes clear that it is the Word of God. That’s all that is necessary to know. He is, by means of these words, calling to the unconverted to awake. But, he is also calling to those already converted but not living the consistent Christian life to awaken. The unbeliever is surely sound asleep, but the inconsistent believer is also slumbering. Let them awake out of their sleep and arise from the dead and Christ shall shine upon them. He will give them the true light and the true life, and He is the only Source of both! Let no one say: But they cannot awaken because God only is able to awaken them out of their sleep! Let no one say this—but many do! Then there are many parts of Scripture which become a riddle and we have set our own logic as the standard for the Bible! It is true, of course, that salvation is God’s work from beginning to end. But, man is a responsible creature! He tells him: Believe! and that man better not have the audacity to say: I can’t! He tells men to turn, and they are called to obey! So here too: Awake! . . . and arise from the dead!

Let men realize that they are to be obedient to Him in their whole walk of life.

Questions for discussion:

1. How can we imitate God and how can we not do so? 2. How dangerous is immorality to our spiritual life? What does this have to say to us about marriage and divorce? As to literature and movies? 3. Is it dangerous to teach that the law is not for us? What do we stress most, right doctrine or right living? May we ever separate them? 4. How should we reprove those who sin? Are we guilty before God if we do not reprove sin? 5. What is the danger of saying: We cannot believe, God must give it to us? Can this also lead to “cheap” religion? Yet, it is true—we cannot believe all by ourselves. Whence comes that faith? But, is the impression often left He hasn’t given me these things, therefore I am blameless?    

LIVING WISELY

Lesson 12

Ephesians 5:15–21

This paragraph is very closely connected to the words found in the previous section. There the Apostle had urged his readers to imitate their God in their whole manner of life. To do this they must keep themselves from all immorality. Their manner of life must make it clear to all men that they are serving a new Master and that they have a different goal in life. In the present paragraph Paul gives further advice concerning specific aspects of the way of life which is approved of God and is in tune with their own confession.

Watch Your Step

They are to look carefully at their way of life. This is not an inconsequential matter. True, their profession must be true to the Word of God in every respect. But, their lives may not militate against their profession nor against the clear commandments He has given them. Let them, therefore, consider their walk of life carefully. This will be a witness to all those who are “watching” them. Their word of witness may not conflict with the life-style which everybody is able to see. To walk carefully is the wise manner of life. It agrees with their confession which is true. If they walk as those who have not embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ, they would live unwisely. In these words the Apostle puts the matter very mildly, but they are words which everyone will understand.

Seize the Opportunity

These readers are called to “redeem,” or to buy up the time or opportunities, because the days are evil. These words are very well-known but are often misunderstood. Are there many opportunities which must be bought up at any price if the days or times are evil? These evil days would seem to make these opportunities rare. And, that the days were evil in which these Ephesians were living is clear from the previous section. The Christian church had bee.n placed in the midst of a hostile world—and that is still her place! She must now live in a manner which will reveal the depth of the iniquity of the unbelieving world. The church may not have the opportunity to speak let her therefore live her confession! It is amazing what can be done in this way. Christians must use every opportunity, they must buy them up, because they are so scarce! Much can be done by the church of Christ if each member will use the God-given opportunities to bring honor to the name of Christ. The history of the Christian church contains many names of heroes of faith who used the opportunities given them in their time. We use only a small part of our intellectual capacity and that is also true concerning our stewardship of the spiritual capacities given us. How much some have accomplished! How little the majority accomplish! Redeem the time!

The things which Paul has mentioned ought to be so self-evident that everyone would be in complete agreement with his statements. However, that is not the case. These things must be taught again and again. yet, it is certainly clear to all that his teaching here is the only wise course for a believer to follow. Paul now reiterates the things said in verse 15 but makes them somewhat stronger. Let Christians not walk as fools. Let them not be without understanding in the manner of life which they live. This would indeed be the case if they did not heed his admonition. That wrong walk of life is not only sinful, it is also foolish! Many may deny the presence of sin, but nobody wishes to appear foolish. To safeguard yourselves, understand what the will of the Lord is. He has spoken clearly to them. He has made known what manner of life is well-pleasing to Him, i.e., the life which naturally flows from a true confession. Let them live their faith and the questions will not be multiplied: May I do this? Why may I not do that? etc.

Not Drunk with Wine, but Filled with the Spirit

Paul now gives a very clear example of his teaching in the previous verse. They must not be drunken with wine but be filled with the Spirit. How often the New Testament refers to the misuse of wine! It was a problem then and it has been a problem through the ages. It is not true that the Bible for bids the use of wine, but it certainly gives clear warning against its misuse. Would it not have been better if the Bible had clearly forbidden its use? Then, however, we would be wiser than God. These readers of this epistle must realize that the evil one uses wine to anesthetize his victims. The days are evil for believers but they were also difficult for unbelievers. They then make misuse of wine to drown their life’s sorrows. But, therein is riot, or uncontrolled living. That leads to the foolishness against which Paul has warned. It does not give joy or deliverance but increases the pain. Instead of being drunken with wine the Apostle urges them to be filled with the Spirit. This will bring the true joy of life; it will be in keeping with their profession of their faith in Christ; and it will be the pathway of life which is wise and not foolish. What a contrast—drunken with wine or filled with the Spirit! But, so great is the contrast between believer and unbeliever!

A Life of Song

The life of a believer is a life of song. The largest book of the Bible is the Psalter for Israel and for the church of all ages. Christianity is the religion of song. Other religions have nothing to sing about and consequently singing has a very inferior role in the lives of their devotees. The believer, whether of Old Testament times or of the New, has reason for song and his God has given him the inspired song book. In a measure we are even able to sing of the mighty deeds of redemption by means of the Psalms; however, hymns are necessary to do justice to our jubilation in Christ’s coming and His resurrection, etc. When the Apostle here speaks of Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, I do not believe that he is making sharp distinctions between them. He means that believers are to edify one another with such song as is approved. There were a few hymns already at that time as well as the Psalter. They are to engage in singing and making melody with their hearts to the Lord. Their life is to be a song! Their hearts overflow with joy and this seeks expression in song.

How different is the expression of joy on the part of the believer from that on the part of the unbeliever. The latter is drunken and may sing out in a drunken inebriation, while the believer sings the praise of his God. The believer does so consciously while the unbeliever doesn’t know what he is doing. Those who make melody with their hearts to the Lord do not engage in “idle” songs or “ditties.” The true church sings! It sings Psalms! It glorifies God and not the singer!

By means of the songs which the redeemed of the Lord sing, they bring thanks to their God. How often the Psalmist urges the people of his day to give thanks to God for all they have received out of His hand. In Psalm 103 he even instructs himself to give thanks. This giving of thanks can be done in different ways, but song is certainly one of the most prominent ways. The Apostle now encourages his readers to a life of gratitude. He does this in many places in his writings, but in this beautiful passage he does so in a very special way.

Thanks Always for All Things

Do they have reason to be grateful? Notice that the author proceeds on the assumption that God’s people always have reason to give thanks. He simply is not able to conceive of a situation in which the Christian would not have reason to be grateful. Therefore he uses sweeping terms—“always” “for all things.” How is this possible? We must realize that he is not just writing words which have no meaning for the everyday life of a believer. He knows whereof he speaks, and, he is writing the Word of God. He himself is a prisoner in Rome at the time he is writing to the Ephesians that they must always be thankful for all things. Can he be thankful for the fact that he is in prison in chains? Not only is this possible for him, but he rejoices therein and gives expression to his feelings concerning these matters time and again in his writings. His Savior is in control of all things and He knows what He is doing! This man, Paul, is a marvel! He truly lives his confession. He shows a Christian optimism which has seldom been equalled. He does not come with “dry” teaching; he comes with the vibrant Word of God which these Ephesian (and other) Christians desperately need.

This thanks is to be expressed to God. This reveals the character of the approved songs too. In our songs we do not engage in subjective expressions, but God is the object of our praise and thanksgiving. Only in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ are we able to approach our God. The songs of praise must have the approval of Christ and so will they be received by the God to Whom they are sung. That which would praise man would naturally be contraband; that which would even praise our faith or prayer would be suspect! We are to bring our praise and thanks to Him from whom all blessings flow!

In Christ ‘s Name

The praise of God and the thanks to God of which Paul has been speaking, though difficult to carry out, will, nevertheless, receive the approval of those who read these words. But, there is more. In the following paragraphs he is going to speak of the relationships which these Christians are to have toward their fellowmen. Then there will be many more questions in their minds. He is, therefore, going to write a few words which will form a transition to the subjects with which he will deal in the following sections. He tells them that they are to subject themselves one to another. This is not desirable in the eyes of many. However, their Lord had spoken in the same vein. No one is to seek the first place, but meekness is required. This has also made Christianity odious to many. We must remember that Paul does not teach that one must always be subject to everyone. This becomes an absurdity! One will finally emerge above another. What does he teach? This meekness must be found in the fear of Christ. It is not to be meekness for meekness’ sake, but for Christ’s sake! The one must be willing to subject himself to others in reverence for Christ. This is the life and walk of wisdom!

Questions for discussion:

1. Are our opportunities for service to our God well used? Do we always see the opportunities? 2. Many do not care for the Christian manner of life because they believe it is too restrictive. How does this attitude reveal their foolishness? 3. Heresy has often entered the church through song. Does this apply to the words only or can even the music be harmful? 4. Do we need hymns in the New Testament church? Do we sing the Psalms enough? Is some of our hymnody too subjective? Explain. 5. Can we be thankful for everything? For sickness? For losses? Are we not taught to pray for the removal of “obstacles” in our lives? 6. Do some Christian groups have the wrong view of meekness? Does the teaching on meekness mean, e.g., that we would never insist on our rights? That we would never go to court?