In this next section of Ephesians (5:3-14), the overall theme is to Walk as children of Light. Wiersbe points out that Paul gives three descriptions of believers here so he subdivides this section into three parts: We are saints (3-4); We are kings (5-6); and We are light (7-14). Once again, (you’re probably tired of hearing me say this!) I love Wiersbe’s organization and outline, but disagree with his emphasis here. He says that because we are God’s children and God is light, we should imitate Him and walk in the light. While I agree with some of what he says, I just don’t like the egocentric approach. "Imitate" draws me to focus on myself and when I do that, I either feel superior to others when I’m doing better that they or feel hopeless and depressed when I realize how far I am from God’s requirement of perfection.

My friend, George Dickens, sparked a thought in me during a recent conversation when I was trying to explain my frustration with the egocentric approach to living the Christian life. He said, "That balance beam between superior and hopeless is too narrow to stand on." That caused me to think of how humans talk about "past, present and future" as though we live in three dimensions, when in reality we can dwell on the past and speculate about the future for as long as we desire, but we cannot describe the present. It’s too quick…we can’t stand there. Before it happens, it’s future and the instant it happens, it’s past!

Let’s look at our verses for today:

But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." (Ephesians 5:3-14)

Notice again, how Christocentricly Paul views Scripture…he is quoting Isaiah 60:1, "Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." Paul does not see believers walking in the light because they are imitating God, but because their Light has come…Christ, who is the Light, lives inside them!

An egocentric reading of these verses can lead us to believe that if we avoid, immorality, impurity, greed, covetousness, idolatry, filthiness, silly talk, course jesting and disobedience, we will receive an inheritance in the kingdom of God…after all, Paul says those who don’t eliminate these sins in their lives will not inherit…it only follows that those who do will inherit. Do you see how distorted the view becomes when we take the egocentric approach?

In truth, saints are not saints because they have overcome their sins or even because they have decided to become saints, trying to imitate God…they are saints because God has come to live inside them! And when God lives inside, the behavior and lifestyle change to reflect the character of God…out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks! (Matthew 12:34) Believers become kings because The King takes up residence inside their body, not because their behavior becomes kingly! Believers become light because Christ who is The Light comes to dwell inside them…He shines through them! If He is not the light, there is no light…no matter how "upright" their behavior appears!

While on our recent trip to visit my business partner and his wife in Florida, I awoke with a thought I want you to consider:

As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, " If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:30-32)