Children of Light: Ephesians 5:1-20

Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Follow God's example. Mimesis—imitation. Children imitate their parents. We learn by watching. And we are to watch God.

Dearly loved children. The basis for imitation. Not slaves trying to earn favor. Children who are already loved. The love comes first; the imitation follows.

Walk in the way of love. The Christian life is a walk—a journey, a pattern, a direction. And the way is love.

Just as Christ loved us. The model defined. Not generic love. Christ's love. Specific, historical, costly love.

Gave himself up for us. Self-giving is the shape of love. Not self-assertion. Not self-protection. Self-surrender. He gave himself.

As a fragrant offering and sacrifice. The Old Testament language. The pleasing aroma ascending to God. Christ's sacrifice was fragrant—acceptable, delightful, welcomed by the Father.

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

Not even a hint. The standard is absolute. Not "don't commit adultery." Not even a hint. Not the first glance. Not the lingering thought. Not the suggestive joke.

Sexual immorality, impurity, greed. The trio linked. Sexual sin and greed share a common root: taking what isn't yours, wanting more than you're given.

Improper for God's holy people. Unbecoming. Unfitting. Like a wedding dress at a funeral—wrong category, wrong identity.

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

The mouth again. Obscenity—filthy talk. Foolish talk—empty, meaningless babble. Coarse joking—the innuendo, the double meaning, the cleverness that degrades.

Out of place. The same word as improper. Wrong location. Doesn't belong.

But rather thanksgiving. The replacement. Instead of corrupting speech, grateful speech. Thanksgiving transforms the mouth.

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

The warning is severe. Those characterized by these sins—not those who struggle but those who are defined by them—have no inheritance. Idolaters—because the heart that worships sex and stuff doesn't worship God.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

Empty words. Someone will tell you it doesn't matter. Someone will promise grace covers license. Someone will redefine sin as freedom.

Empty words. Don't be deceived. God's wrath is real.

Therefore do not be partners with them.

Don't partner. Don't participate. Don't join in. The line must be drawn.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.

Once darkness. Not just in darkness—you were darkness itself. Dark to the core. Darkness your nature, not just your location.

But now you are light. The transformation is ontological, not just behavioral. Your being has changed. You are light now.

Live as children of light. Become what you are. Let your behavior match your being.

For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.

The fruit of light. Goodness—doing good. Righteousness—being right. Truth—conforming to reality. These grow naturally in the light.

Find out what pleases the Lord.

The ongoing task. Discovery. Learning. Testing. Finding out. The Christian life is an exploration of what delights God.

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Nothing to do. No participation. No partnership. No pretending they're okay.

But rather expose them. Light exposes. That's what light does. The presence of the righteous reveals the darkness for what it is.

It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

Some things shouldn't be described. The details of darkness are not educational—they're corrupting. It is shameful even to mention them.

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.

The redemptive possibility. What is exposed becomes visible—and can be healed. What is illuminated can itself become a light. Former darkness converted to light.

This is why it is said: "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

Perhaps an early Christian hymn. A baptismal song. Wake up. Rise. The dead made alive by Christ's shining presence.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Very careful. Akribos—precisely, accurately, exactly. Watch your step. The days are evil—the opportunities are limited—wisdom is required.

Making the most of every opportunity. Redeeming the time. Buying back the moments. Using the evil days for good purposes.

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

Foolish versus understanding. The choice is constant. Every decision is an opportunity to understand or to be foolish.

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

The contrast. Wine fills and controls, leading to debauchery—wild, reckless living. The Spirit fills and controls, leading to... what follows.

Be filled. Present tense, passive voice. Keep being filled. Let yourself be filled. The fullness is not a one-time experience but a continuous state.

Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The results of Spirit-filling. Speaking—community encouraged. Singing—worship overflowing. Making music from the heart—not performance but authenticity. Giving thanks—gratitude as lifestyle.

Always. For everything. In Jesus' name. Comprehensive thanksgiving.

This is the life of light. Imitating God. Walking in love. Living as children of the day.

Wake up, sleeper.

Christ is shining.