Written ~ 10-08-2023
Ephesians 5:1-9
1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children.
2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him.
7 Don’t participate in the things these people do.
8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
In our world today promiscuity is rampant, it’s sad to see how each generation has gotten caught up in everything these verses warn us about, especially today, with our young people and young adults. Without the Lord, these lives are living in a tailspin without realizing their limitations and where they are headed. That’s why the continual prayer of believers is so imperative these days. We need to pray for our young people, with so many seemingly lost, we need to pray for Salvation.
Verse 5:6 really struck me, I’m not sure if I’ve even noticed it before!
“Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him.”
Are you being fooled? Do you seek out those who will condone this kind of behavior? We’ve talked about false teachers before… Do you go looking for a pastor or teacher who will say anything “feel good” so your conscious isn’t bothered? Please beware, the consequences are not worth the indiscretion you want to continue in, “God’s anger will fall on all who disobey Him.” Be careful dear ones that you are not the one condoning these behaviors or conducting your life in this way. As believers we are to live as examples of Christ, to imitate God and be the light of Jesus! Verse 5:7 couldn’t be any clearer,
“Don’t participate in the things these people do.”
Let’s think about that deciding moment when you gave your life to Jesus. He took up residence in your heart. He is the one who is guiding your thoughts and actions. The lure towards promiscuity should diminish quickly as you pour over the Scriptures and learn how to be the example God is asking you to be!
Look at verses 5:8-9,
8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
- Once full of darkness
- Now full of light
- Darkness produces sin
- Light produces good
When you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, He filled you with His light! “So live as people of light!”
- Imitate God
- Live a life filled with love
- Follow the example of Christ
- Let your Light Shine!
In a world so full of darkness, when we go out into that world, we should look different, sound different, our actions should be different, why? Because Jesus Christ cannot help but shine His light through us! That’s who He is! He is Love, He is Joy, He is Light.
So, instead of condoning sin, we need to shed light on it, and point those wallowing in the darkness to the light.
John 8:12 says,
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
When we have put our trust and faith in Him, Jesus says to us,
Matthew 5:14,
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.”
We are to be light! That means we are not to involve ourselves with those things found in the darkness…
- Sexual Immorality
- Impurity
- Greed
- Telling Obscene Stories
- Foolish Talk (Gossip)
- Coarse Jokes (Dirty Jokes)
- Idolatry (Worship of anything other than God)
I want to focus, just for a moment on the heart who has not found the light. Living in darkness can be consuming, depressing, without hope. Maybe it’s time for you to invite light into your life. The invitation is always waiting for you to accept. But don’t delay! It’s time to choose. Living in darkness may seem fun, there seems to be no limits to its “enjoyment.” Don’t be fooled, darkness leads only to death. Light leads only to life. If you have wanted to make your way into the light, the first step is to acknowledge you need Jesus, you need His light to fill you up!
By humbling your heart to the Lord, you have come to the point in your life where you need love and light… why not make the decision now to accept the gift of Salvation… say this prayer,
Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you! And just as Jesus said, “Peace be with you.” You are now filled with light!!
~AMEN~