Text: Eph. 5:6-21
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8b Walk as children of light
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Paul begins with these words:
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Empty words, we’ve all heard them … are words meant to deceive, to put off, or to fill one’s own agenda. The sons of disobedience hear and follow. Those opposed to Christ and his gospel continue to go the way of destruction, but we too who have been brought to faith by God’s gifts give way to the call of darkness and fall in sin.
7 Therefore do not become partners with them;
Don’t get sucked in, Paul tells the Ephesians. But what were the Ephesians getting sucked into … and does it apply to you and me?
Paul says in verse three and four that preceded our text:
3 [That] sexual immorality and all impurity or [coveting] must not even be named among you, and he concludes: 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking … but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who [covets], [which is to desire that which is not yours] … has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Harsh words indeed and the Ephesians were falling short then, and Christians today fall short too.
When desires, feelings and societal norms go against God’s word and truth … the result is that darkness [the realm of Satan] reigns.
You and I feel it too. Sin is a powerful force that in thought, word, and deed we can all give in to … and its desires can lead us away from the truth that God intends.
When Paul speaks of sexual immorality and all impurity he is not just speaking of same sex attraction, (though homosexuality would be included in his rebuke) but of all sexual sins outside of God’s design of marriage or in the context of marriage that defiles that union.
Whether perpetrator or victim there are no winners when sexual sin rears its ugly head.
There has been so much in the news over the last year or so. Powerful men who took advantage or their positions in the Hollywood entertainment machine to prey on young women; TV celebrities; people of prominence, politicians and those in positions of power.
Take Gov. Andrew Cuomo:
“[An] independent investigation has concluded Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, and in doing so violated federal and state law,” … “Specifically, the investigation found that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed current and former New York State employees by engaging in unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women.”
https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2021/08/03/cuomo-nursing-home-and-sexual-harassment-allegations-timeline/
Paul cautions the Ephesians:
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
And here’s the key …
13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
The light that exposes darkness is Jesus Christ and his word of truth.
And it is not to use God as a means – claiming “I believe” - while denying him and living in sin using Christ as a cover. But through repentance it God’s desire that you be restored freely by faith in Christ through his saving Gospel and working of the Holy Spirit. And also by the light of the gospel that your light shines in the midst of those in darkness so that they too might come to faith and believe.
Paul speaks of coveting as well, or desiring that which you don’t have … and this can also be things we desire or people.
As Luther says in his explanation for the 9th and 10th commandments:
We should fear and love God that we may not [find] seek to get our neighbor's inheritance or house, and obtain it by a show of [justice and] right, etc., but help and be of service to him in keeping it … (9th commandment)
… [nor] force, or entice away our neighbor's wife, servants, or cattle, [diligently] but urge them to stay and do their duty. (10th commandment)
http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php
Darkness and light … lies and truth … you can’t ride the fence.
Everything you do untimely says something about who you are. So:
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, Paul says, don’t let the world, your sinful flesh or the devil be your guide. And all too often we can fall silent in the face of evil.
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Joel Fritsche a career missionary suggests that this might be a stanza from an early Christian hymn. It certainly could be with this image of dying and rising and awaking from death that you and I who have been brought to faith understand.
Death is the great equalizer for us all. Whether you are in the public eye or just one of us regulars in the world, we all need to have Christ and be brought to faith to have a eternity with him.
That changes who we are and how we live.
19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Here in the Divine Service God calls us to come.
To be fed on word and sacrament. To receive God’s favor on account of Christ, and to go fourth, in a world of darkness, with the light of the gospel of peace – the very word of God – and it is this word that brings those who are dead in sin and darkness to God’s marvelous light of forgiveness.
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen
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