Ephesians 5:15a – So What?

Be very careful, then, how you live —

Summary: Once again, we are confronted by the question of “works.” Paul tells us to be careful how we live, yet we know that we are justified by faith and forgiven by the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7-8). So what’s the big deal?

Does how we live really matter?

The Bible says we are “saved” if we believe in Jesus, right? So if I’m saved, what’s the big deal? I understand I need to try and live like Jesus wants me to, but if I don’t make it, so what?

The answer to these questions is, perhaps, the thorniest question in Christendom. The Reformation firmly established the idea that we are saved by faith, not by works (Romans 3:28). To be fair, the actual quote says, “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”

Do you see the difference?

Some people see “works” as forgiving their annoying relative. But that is not what Paul was referring to. “Works of the law” refers to a specific set of laws called Mosaic laws. Some of these “laws” were developed by the Jews during the exile. The rest of the laws came from Moses directly.

The Jews believed that the only way to get to heaven was to obey the law. Obedience was called “righteousness.” Of course, people in those days knew full well that everyone sins. That is why God provided sacrifices as a means of atonement.

“How you live” has to do with staying on the right path. Yes, God offers us forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9), but there are many things that can happen (2 John 1:8).

When I was a teen, a group of us went on a trip that included a stop at Multnomah Falls. There is a trail that goes to the top of the falls, and a few of us hiked to the top and then hurried back down the trail to meet the others. I was falling behind, so I took what I thought was a “shortcut.” The shortcut turned out to be a deer trail that headed down a blind hill. Before I knew what happened, I was on my butt, sliding toward the edge of a cliff.

If the story stopped there, I would be dead by now. There would be no one to tell this tale and no Three Minute Bible to read. Fortunately, we have a loving God, and he was looking out for me even then. A small stump appeared near the edge of the cliff. It wasn’t much more than a big twig sticking out of the ground. I was able to catch myself on it and stop my fall. I was late when I finally got to the bottom of the trail, but I was alive.

When I think of wandering from the trail of righteousness, I think of that shortcut. There is a precipice out there that leads to hell, and some of the trails in that direction have no warning signs. As Paul says, “Be very careful, then, how you live —”

Application: Keep your eye on Jesus! Stay in the Word and in prayer.

Food for Thought: Is Paul being overly cautious in this passage? Why or why not?