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BIBLE
STUDY LESSON
For
the week beginning Sunday July 12, 2020
LIVING
IN THE LIGHT
Ephesians
5:1-20
In
the biblical Greek, the term used for “word” is “logos” (log-os), and it more
or less emphasizes the message of that which is spoken. In John chapter 1, the
apostle expresses to us that our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST personifies the
Word of GOD, in the flesh. Here he is trying to get us to understand that one
of the key reasons for JESUS’ first advent, was, and is, for “communication”.
JESUS is the “Spoken Word”, and the “Living
Expression” of all that which GOD ever sought to communicate to us about
HIMSELF. There John is saying, particularly in verse 1, that, JESUS is both,
“identical” to the GOD of the Old Testament concept, and yet, HE is also “distinct”
from HIM.
One can imagine how stunning this must have
been to the people of the first century. Even today, many people have a problem
with embracing this concept, which has now become more familiar, and yet still
remains just as mysterious as it ever was. In that passage, we can see that,
while the concept may be difficult, John’s teaching seems to be very clear.
The Apostle John is saying there in that
passage, that, JESUS existed eternally with GOD the FATHER, as one GOD, yet,
with a distinct and separate personality. Those of us who understand the
concept, that, unity in a family and marriage represents, can certainly grasp
the concept of “unity as one” between the FATHER and the SON.
It is true that in human society, if
someone hands someone else a gift, and that person doesn’t perceive that gift
to be real, then they probably aren’t going to reach out and accept it. Our
believing in GOD, in all of HIS fullness, can be likened to that. GOD is giving
us the gift of eternal life through HIS only begotten SON, JESUS the CHRIST.
Believing in HIM involves seeing HIM as real, and, as coming from GOD, and
then, reaching out and accepting HIM. By accepting JESUS, one also accepts GOD
the FATHER’s wonderful gift of eternal life in Heaven, and, at one and the same
time, becomes what they weren’t before, and that is, quite simply, “a child of
GOD”.
JESUS came into the world to teach us how
to live our lives under GOD, and, to teach us how to die and live again, with
GOD. HE taught us how to give and forgive, and, HE taught us how to love, and
how to give thanks. John points to JESUS as being the “LIGHT of the world”, a
true light for all people. In HIM we see exactly what GOD is like, and only HE
can usher us into GOD’s OWN glorious presence, without fear, without guilt,
and, without shame.
Here in Ephesians chapter 5, verses 1-14
the Apostle Paul relates to Christians about “living in the light” that CHRIST
JESUS, our SAVIOR, brought into a world of darkness. Paul begins this chapter
by urging us Christians to follow GOD’s example in everything that we do. We
should live a life filled with love for one another, following the examples of
CHRIST WHO loves us, and, WHO gave HIMSELF up as a ransom for us, to nullify our
sins, through HIS death on the cross. It is a sacrifice that was like sweet
perfume to GOD’s nostrils (Vs. 1-2).
With every ounce of “worldly success” comes
an equal measure of “pride”. To the contrary, with every ounce of “GODly
success” comes an equal measure of “humility”. Every professed Christian must
strive to be an imitator of JESUS CHRIST, simply because they claim to be GOD’s
Children. The more we conform to the world, the more “prideful” we become, but
the more we are able to transform from the world’s ways, to the ways and
examples of CHRIST, the more “humble” we become.
There should be a very distinct and clear
difference between the lifestyle of a Christian, and that of one who desires to
be like the world. Darkness and light cannot co-exist in the same space. When
the people in the community of GOD compromise their ways with the ways of the
world, the distinction between the two are soon lost, and professed Christians
are no longer able to properly represent CHRIST to anyone with any
accuracy.
In Ephesians 5, verses 3-13, we see perhaps
Scriptures greatest and clearest defining of the contrasting moral differences
between “light” and “darkness, or “right” and “wrong” by GOD’s standards. The “vices”
or “sins” mentioned in verses 3-4 (sexual immorality, impurity, or greed, even obscene
talk and dirty jokes) portray “self-worship” and “a lack of concern” for
others.
Remember, “a greedy person” is nothing but “an
idolater”, because they chase after and worship the things of this world. We
should not be fooled by those who try to excuse such a sin as this. Those who
desire to follow CHRIST should not have even a hint of these evil elements in
his or her life. Anyone who practices such immoralities cannot expect to enter
into the Kingdom of CHRIST (the Millennial Kingdom), and of GOD in Heaven
(v.5).
People who are comfortable in their own
sin, and, who are offended by those who try to rebuke, correct, or expose them,
have themselves, a favorite “scripture-based saying” that they like to use.
They love to tell people, “You can’t judge”.
However, in the Christian bible there are
three separate and distinct types of judgment. Two of them GOD expects all
Christians to be able to do, and the third is one that only GOD HIMSELF can do.
In fact, even if we wanted to do this third type of judgment, our mere
mortality prevents us from being able to do it. There is a different Greek word
that is used to describe each of them. They are as follows:
·
“Anakrino”
(judgment) – A self-examination, using “GOD’s standards” to see if we ourselves
are in line with HIS Word and Will at any given time.
·
“Diakrino”
(judgment) – “Using GOD’s standards” to examine anything, or anyone to
determine, or discern, that which is right, from that which is wrong in that
person, place, thing, or situation.
·
“Krino”
(judgment) – A judgment of “condemnation”; it is a judgment that only our
superior GOD can make. No human being can make this type of judgment, even if
they wanted to, because we are all, ourselves, people under judgment from GOD,
at all times.
In Ephesians 5:10-14, the Apostle alludes
to the two, of the three judgments that GOD expects us to make. Here we see a
clear example of our duty to judge ourselves (Anakrino Judgment), and others
(Diakrino Judgment), by first, finding out what is pleasing to GOD, by closely
examining HIS Word and Will for our lives (Vs.10-11).
By closely studying GOD’s Word and finding
out what we ourselves are doing wrong (examining ourselves), we’ll be able to
help others who are going astray, to get themselves into line with GOD’s Word
and Will also. Serious Christians should take no part in the worthless, evil
deeds and darkness that now permeate and dominate this world. The Word of GOD
says that Christians should instead, rebuke and expose such evil (v.11). In
fact, we should not even talk about the shameful things that ungodly people do even
in secret, but rather, we should let our light shine on them, through our GODly
behavior, so that it can become clear that their way is not the way to go. And
so our lifestyle and behavior can expose things that are not right with GOD
better than anything we can ever say. And wherever the Christian light of
CHRIST shines through us, it will automatically expose evil deeds and actions
in others.
In verses 15-20 Paul advises all Christians
to live depending only on the HOLY SPIRIT’s power to guide us. Christians must
commit to seeking GOD’s ways on a daily basis, and, to living wisely and not
foolishly as unbelieving people live (v.15).
In the Greek, the word Paul uses in verse
16 in his original writings, “exagorazomenoi” (ex-a-gora-zo-men-ohee), means “to
buy up the time” or “to make the most of every opportunity”. As vibrant
Christians, we are to take advantage of every opportunity we get to do good
things according to GOD’s standards, especially in these evil days that we live
in. We must “walk circumspectly” not being drunk or high on wine, liquor, or
illicit drugs, but rather, by being filled with the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, WHO was
sent to us by JESUS CHRIST (Vs.17-18).
When we allow the HOLY SPIRIT to control
us, we will be able to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among
ourselves, just as fervently as we used to sing blues, pop, disco, rock and
roll, and hip hop songs, when we were “lost” in the world. And we will always
give thanks for everything to GOD the FATHER in heaven, in the mighty and
precious name of JESUS CHRIST, our LORD and SAVIOR (vs.19-20).
A
Sunday school lesson by,
Larry
D. Alexander
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
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