But everything exposed by the light becomes visible …
Summary: When someone suddenly “get’s it,” we say the “light went on.” In my own faith journey, a whole string of lights had to go on.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:13a – The Big Light”Ephesians 5:12 – What The Disobedient Do
It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
Summary: Being disobedient is a way of life for some. The result of rejecting God is that we step out on our own, become our own judge, and have to decide what is right or wrong for ourselves. The only problem with that scenario is that when we leave this life, we have to stand before our Maker and defend those decisions.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:12 – What The Disobedient Do”Ephesians 5:11 – Good Guy or Bad Guy?
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Summary: Paul’s instruction in this passage seems simple on the surface. The challenge is trying to agree on what it means to be “good” and “bad.” Turning to God’s Word is the only reliable source of finding out.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:11 – Good Guy or Bad Guy?”Ephesians 5:10 – Pleasing the Lord
… and find out what pleases the Lord.
Summary: In this short passage, Paul challenges us to find out what pleases the Lord. Part of the challenge is pleasing the Lord even when we don’t feel like it.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:10 – Pleasing the Lord”Ephesians 5:9 – The Ship of State
(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
Summary: Paul mixes metaphors and combines fruit with light. It works because the food value of this fruit is spiritual.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:9 – The Ship of State”Ephesians 5:8b – Living In God’s House
Live as children of light …
Summary: God’s realm includes the physical world we live in, but it is much more that we can’t see. To understand what it means to live in God’s house, Paul uses different metaphors to show us what we can’t see.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:8b – Living In God’s House”Ephesians 5:8a – Spiritual Light and Dark
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Summary: Paul has the unenviable task of explaining realities that we cannot see with our human eyes. To give us a picture of what he is talking about, he uses an illustration of light and dark.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:8a – Spiritual Light and Dark”Ephesians 5:7 – Godly and Ungodly
Therefore do not be partners with them.
Summary: Paul’s words in this passage are not popular in today’s world. Yet they are in the Bible, and they are consistent with the rest of God’s teachings. We are wise if we take Paul seriously on this point.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:7 – Godly and Ungodly”Ephesians 5:6b – The Choice
… for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
Summary: What is “wrath?” Is it something we should worry about? Does God really get angry with us? These questions are important when we consider where we want to spend eternity after this body of flesh we live in stops working.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:6b – The Choice”Ephesians 5:6a – Eating God’s Word
Let no one deceive you with empty words,
Summary: Words are a tool, and like tools, words can be used correctly or misused. Paul wants us to be alert to people who misuse words in an effort to deceive us. Especially God’s Word!
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:6a – Eating God’s Word”