Ephesians 10
Welcome once again to talk number ten in our series discovering Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In the previous two programmes we have been seeing what Paul has to say about the church. Last time we were thinking how he urged them to be fully active according to the gifts they have. He also told them to be mature, grown up in spiritual matters, and not like children. He now gets down to the really practical matters of Christian living. In verses 17 to 24 of chapter 4 he describes how unbelievers live in hardness of heart and are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God. They have lost all sensitivity and given themselves over to sensuality. Paul says that the believers did not come to know Christ that way. God has brought them into a different way of life altogether, and he urges them to see that they put off the old life completely and are clothed with the new. He says in verses 23 and 24 that they were taught that they were “to be made new in the attitude of their minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” While living this new life they must keep fresh and real and be continually renewed in their thinking.
In the following verses Paul becomes really detailed. First, they must be utterly truthful. “Put off falsehood”, he says. We believers belong to the same body, we are members of each other. It is unthinkable that we should try to deceive or not be honest and open with each other. Isn’t it good to know that the people you are dealing with are honest and will not deceive you?
Then we are not to let bitterness enter into our anger. It is right sometimes to be angry when people do evil and cruel things, but don’t let it dwell in your mind so that your anger turns to hatred. Paul says, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Forget it before nightfall. Make sure you are reconciled before you go to bed! Bitterness and vengeance arise when anger stays in the heart. “Do not give the devil a foothold”, it says in verse 27.
The next point seems rather hard to understand. It is not easy to imagine a genuine Christian actually stealing. But verse 28 says, “He who has been stealing must steal no longer.” We must remember, though, the kind of lives from which many of the Ephesian believers had been delivered. Stealing was a part of life whenever it could be done without being found out. Things are no different today when in many workplaces a worker helps himself to all sorts of things, counting it almost as his right. We can steal our employer’s time by not being punctual or by taking extended lunch breaks, and so on. That is not the way for a Christian, says Paul. Do an honest day’s work and take nothing that is not yours. He says we must work doing something useful with our own hands, so that we may have something to share with those in need.
Next, he turns to the way we talk and the things we say. Paul is very concerned about the believer’s talk. He mentions it again in chapter 5 of Ephesians. Be careful how you speak. Verse 29 says: “do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up others…” Nothing evil, nothing filthy, nothing that is not fitting should pass the lips of a Christian. Your speech should be helpful, useful and kind. Paul would say just the same to us. “Watch your lip”, he would say.
Notice how, Paul, now and again turns away from the particular practical matters and makes brief remarks about the principle of Christian living, the basis of it all. Here he says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” He is the one who bears witness that you are a child of God and cries “Abba - Father” within you. Do nothing to grieve Him; you cannot do without Him. He will be quick to let you know when you begin to do or say things that are hurtful to Him. His voice will speak in your conscience and your peace will be disturbed.
Then Paul has something to say about our attitudes to each other, whether living, working, talking or relaxing together. First, there are the attitudes we are not to have. There is to be no bitterness or resentment, no unkind and hateful feelings towards each other. Together with these we are to get rid of all malicious feelings of anger and slander. This is how one version of the Bible has these words: “Get rid of all bitterness, passion and anger. No more shouting and insults; no more hateful feelings of any sort.” Then Paul turns to the positive side - the kind of attitude they should have. They are to be kind and compassionate and they should forgive one another, just as freely and lovingly as God forgave through the Lord Jesus Christ. That is often a very costly way. Now we come to chapter 5 and another of those sections about the basis of it all. Two points are mentioned. First, we are to be imitators of God. We are to seek to follow the example of what God is as He has shown it to us in Christ Himself. Also we are to walk in love - in our attitudes, actions and thoughts. And again notice it is “just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” What an example to follow! It is only possible as the Holy Spirit lives and works within us.
Next he turns, in verse 3 of chapter 5, to another collection of sins that are still common in our day. He links together sexual impurity, covetousness or greediness, obscenity, foolish talk and course joking. He asserts quite strongly that no one guilty of immorality or greediness has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. He even says that covetous or greedy people are the same as those who worship idols. People like this worship the false gods of money and material things, rather than the Lord. Do not be deceived, Paul says, the wrath of God comes to people like this. He urges the Ephesian believers, and us, to avoid joining in with these things. He says in verse 7, “Therefore do not be partners with them.” He reminds them that they used to be just the same. They were in darkness, but now they are in the light of the Lord. They are now in an altogether different realm and must live as God’s holy people. It is walking in the light of the knowledge of Christ that produces the fruit of all goodness, righteousness and truth. They are to find out what pleases the Lord and do it.
In verses 8 to 16 Paul has something else to say. Not only are they to having nothing to do with the shameful acts of the people around them, they are to expose them and bring them into the light of God’s holiness. As the light of Christ is brought to bear on the evil and sinfulness around, so the Holy Spirit will do his work of conviction, those who are dead in their sins will be awakened to their mortal danger. Paul quotes from what is probably part of an early hymn of the church to make his point: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine upon you.” He concludes this section with these words:
“Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
This is a very practical passage. It is very searching, too. If you can, read it through again very carefully and let the Lord speak to you as you do. Can we say our lives are like this? If not, let us seek the Lord, confess our sin to Him, and ask Him to forgive and cleanse us, and by his Spirit in us help us to live holy lives to his glory.