Exploring Ephesians #13 - Walk in Light

Text: Ephesians 5:8-14

Thesis: To stress that a Christian is to live a life that reflects the light of Jesus.

Introduction:

(1)   “Darkness and light often stand opposed in Scripture, representing the struggle between evil and good” (Boles 301).

(2)   As Christians, we are to walk in light.

(3)   Let us note Paul’s discussion regarding this truth:

Discussion:

I.                   The Contrast (v.8):

A.    Once, the Christians to whom Paul was writing were in darkness (i.e., outside of the Lord; cf. Eph. 2:1-3).

B.     However, they were now in light (i.e., in the Lord; cf. 1 John 1:7).

1.      Thus, they needed to “lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:12, NASB).

2.      Hence, Paul calls upon them to “live as children of light.”

a.        They were to be “children characterized by light since they are imitators of God who is light” (Hoehner 672).

b.      This “will mean living by values that are diametrically opposed to those of their surrounding society” (O’Brien 366).

II.                The Characteristics (vv. 9-10):

A.    Illustration –

Once, a husband bought his wife a matchbox that would glow in the dark.  Upon giving it to her, she wanted to try it out to see how it worked.  However, it failed to glow in the dark when she turned off the light.  Feeling that her husband had purchased a faulty matchbox, she examined it very closely.  At this point, she noticed an inscription, which read: “If you want me to shine in the night, keep me in the light.” [Hughes]

B.     By having a proper relationship with Jesus, Paul emphasizes that Christians will naturally display fruit (Gr. karpos) of the light (i.e., Jesus).

1.      First, one will display ‘goodness’ (Gr. agathosyne), which is defined as “positive moral quality characterized esp. by interest in the welfare of others” (BDAG).

2.      Second, one will display ‘righteousness’ (Gr. dikaiosyne), which is defined as “the quality or characteristic of upright behavior” (BDAG).

3.      Third, one will display ‘truth’ (Gr. aletheia), which is defined as “the quality of being in accord with what it true” (BDAG).

-          John MacArthur observed that “goodness pertains primarily to others, righteousness primarily to our relationship to God, and truth primarily to personal integrity” (210).

C.     Further, having a proper relationship with Jesus, will motivate one to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord (v. 10).

III.             The Command (v. 11a.):

A.    Paul declares that they were to have ‘no fellowship’ with darkness.

1.      The word used by Paul here is sunkoinoneite, which carries the idea of being “associated with someone in some activity … in the sense of actually taking part” (BDAG).

2.      This does not mean that a person is to have nothing to do with non-Christians (e.g., evangelism); however, it does mean that the Christian is to have clearly established boundaries and not to take part in the activities of darkness.

B.     The reason for this is that such actions are ‘fruitless.’

IV.             The Commission (vv. 11b.-13):

A.    Instead of participating in the actions of darkness, Paul encourages the Christians to take a stand against the actions and those who are involved in participating in the actions (v. 11b.).

1.      ‘Expose’ comes from elengchete, which is defined as “to convict, refute, confute, generally with a suggestion of the shame of the person convicted” (Thayer’s).

2.      Note: This verse does not give someone the right to use hateful words and to publicly humiliate someone (e.g., look to some of our bulletins today).

B.     In verse 12, “Paul goes so far as to say that the shamefulness of these ugly vices may rub off on Christians if they are continually talking about them, even if it is to disapprove of them” (EBC).

C.     In verse 13, “Paul appeals to the effect of light in the natural world. It penetrates wherever it shines, so that everything is lit up by it. In the same way, whenever the light of Christ appears, it shows up sin for what it is. Evil can no longer masquerade as anything else” (EBC).

V.                The Call (v. 14):

A.    In this verse, Paul quotes a passage, possibly a combination of Isaiah 26:19 and Isaiah 60:1.

B.     He does so to call upon those who are in darkness and are spiritually dead (i.e., non-Christians or unfaithful Christians) to come to Jesus to be made alive and to become light (cf. Col. 1:13).

Conclusion:

(1)   Song: “This Little Christian Light of Mine”

(2)   As the moon reflects the light of the sun, Christians are to reflect the light of the Son.