Introduction:
In the popular history novel and TV series, Emperor was noted
for his determination to reform, getting rid of corruption and firming
up the National reserve. He had a capable governor, “田文鏡”,
who carried out his order to the hilt. In so doing, he alienated
himself from the rich and the powerful. Those under his rule
repeatedly asked, “why so serious? we had been doing business and
governing like this for hundreds of years.”
In Almaty, I asked some new Christians “are there any
differences in how you live after you become Christians?” Without
any hesitation they responded, “Of course. Such as the way we think,
our value system and our behaviors”. They also shared that sometimes
how difficult it is to maintain the Christian standard in a very
secular environment where distrust, dishonesty and sexual immorality
are the norms of life.
Don’t we sometimes feel the same? As we train our children,
or as we try to conform to Christ's image, don’t we also hear:
“why can’t you just lighten up a little? Why be so serious all the
time?”
In our previous studies of the book of Ephesians, we learned
about living as a new and holy people. As a new people, we demonstrate
unity in the midst of our diversity. As holy people, as saints, we are
to imitate God, and to demonstrate his purity in our lives.
In today’s passage, Paul continued his theme of purity,
holiness in a believer’s life. We will see a simple truth that as
God's holy people, we are called to manifest his purity by upholding a
high moral standard. We are also provided with different incentives
for holding onto this high standard.
I.
Our body is the Holy Spirit’s dwelling place.
In 1 Cor 6:19, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of
the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You
are not your own.” The scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit lives
within us. If so, then we want to make sure that we’ll do nothing to
defile this house of God.
Two weeks ago, I visited Tomak, a small city in Krgystan. There
we met a new believer whose diet consists of some pork. She had a 30
year old daughter who was a devout Muslim. Whenever she came to her
house, she would clean all the bowls, dishes, chopsticks and other
utensils because they had contact with pork which was considered
unclean in the Muslim faith. She didn’t want anything unclean to
touch her.
The scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit lives inside us.
This is the reason we are to stay away from anything that contradicts
his holiness.
II.
We are to live like saints. V3.
In verse 3, “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.” Paul is saying how we
live must reflect that we are God's holy people, we are saints. Sexual
immorality, even a hint of it, is inappropriate for God's people.
A
devout Muslim knows what kind of food he/she should avoid. What kind
of clothing is proper. If you go to a “清真寺” restaurant, don’t
expect to find any pork dishes. From the hats and black clothing, you
can tell if a person is a Hassidic Jew. When we travel overseas, our
passport will reveal our nationality. And sometimes, depending on what
passport we hold, we will also get some preferential treatment.
How
does our world know that we are Christians? Not by that baptism or
membership certificate. The scripture says it’s by our behaviors.
We are God's holy people. The specific behavior he mentioned in
this chapter is sexual morality. Whether we are in Houston, New York,
Almaty, HK, Beijing, Taipei we all have similar moral problems. Our
society tells us that sexual relationships outside and before marriage
should not be a concern to us anymore. Lighten up a little in this
area, the world tells us.
A
person stopped going to church because she felt the church had no
right to tell her whom she wanted sleep with. Another person was at
the verge of putting her faith in God, but could not do it because she
was living with her boy friend.
However,
when we become Christians, it is different. We begin to live by a
different set of principles. You see, when we put our faith in Jesus
Christ, we have become God's holy people. Therefore our behaviors
should clearly reflect God's holiness.
III. There is judgment for the
In verses 5 to 7, Paul mentioned that for those who are engaged
in sexual immorality, they were outside God's kingdom, God's wrath
would come upon them, they were children of rebellion (as compared to
children of God). God's wrath will come upon them. In other words, God
will judge those who engage in sexual immorality.
In Paul’s days, there was the early form of gnosticism. They
taught that body and soul are two completely separate compartments. If
you were a believer, what you did with your body, such as sexual
immorality will not affect the salvation of your soul. But here Paul
said that this is wrong. Don’t be partners with these people. Or
else we’ll face God's judgment. This refers to the final judgment,
eternal separation from God.
However, having said this, we also need to remember the
assurance of our salvation. When we sin out of our spontaneous
weakness, or ignorance, there is always God's grace and forgiveness.
No one can separate us from God's love. This is what we mean by
eternal security. But when we sin continually without any shame or
remorse, we may begin to wonder if we knew Christ in the first place.
This is quite a severe warning, isn’t it?
IV.
We are the Light.
Vs 8, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in
the Lord. Live as children of light.” Paul further explained to the
believers the reasons for living differently. He said that previously
you were darkness. That is, you were ignorant about God and his
character; you were in error regarding God and spiritual matters. But
now, you are light. Please note that its not that you must walk in the
light, but that you are the light. Jesus is the Light of the world,
but when we put our trust in him, we also become a light. Therefore,
being light, we are to radiate light. So, what are some
characteristics of being the light?
1.
Light brings about the positives in life.
Vs 9, 10, “for the fruit of the light consists in all
goodness, righteousness and truth, and find out what pleases the
Lord.” First,
light brings about goodness. Goodness means wanting good,
seeing good, doing good and being good. It means when we see others,
we see what is good in them. We learn to trust and accept them. Yes,
it is risky, we maybe taken advantage of by others. We do good to
others, such as helping them when they are in need. It means being
selfless for the good of others. Sometimes it involves helping them
financially, or it could also mean being patient and being a good
listener. Someone has said that the highest compliment one can have is
to have friends and family members write this on the tombstone,
“Here Lies a Good Man.” As light, we are to be good.
Secondly, not only are we to be good, but also to do what is
right. What is right in God's eyes. In some societies and families, it
is not acustom to say words of gratitude and appreciate for service or
work performed. For we consider it as one’s duty. But saying thank
you and words of appreciation is the right thing to do. Besides, do we
sacrifice principles for personal gain? When we are given extra change
at the check out, do we keep the money or do we return it to the
store? Do we cheat and be dishonest so we can get that dream job?
By
being good we help those in need, but we must also do what is right
and proper. A missionary was asked to write a letter of recommendation
for a youth so he could study abroad. He willingly agreed. But when he
found out that in this letter, he also needed to write something
untrue, he hesitated and turned him down. It is good that we help our
friends but we must do what is right. Do we help others to be
dishonest and deceptive? These are some hard but necessary questions
that we have to ask. In one prayer, are these words, “Today, O Lord,
let me put right before interest. Let me put principle above
reputation.”
Thirdly, besides doing good, doing what is right, there is also
the fruit of being true. This means that in my relationship with
others, there is also the need to be truthful. I am to avoid any
hidden agenda when I communicate with people around me, no matter how
proper I think my cause is. There must not be any falsehood when I
relate to those that God has brought into my life. To be true, also
means being transparent in my personal relationships with others.
This past week I heard on the news that in one city, a law was
passed that it is a crime when politicians make any kind of false
promises during a campaign. We prefer to associate with people who are
good, right and true. So, as children of Light, being light, it is our
goal in life to be good, right and true. These are things that please
God.
2.
Light exposes what is evil.
Being light means doing what is good, right, true and pleaseing to God. But in vs 11-13, “Have nothing to do with
the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is
shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But
everything exposed by the light becomes visible,” In these few
verses Paul points out that light also exposed what is dark, what is
wrong.
You
see, when we do what is good, right and true, we also expose behaviors
that are not right, not good and false. When I refuse to take in
bribery, I am telling others that bribery is wrong. When I refuse to
help my friend be dishonest, I am also suggesting to him that he is
wrong and unethical. When I refuse to give into sexual temptation, I
am telling the other person that such behavior is wrong. Sometimes
it’s easy to do what is right or not to do what is wrong by myself.
But when we are with others, by not going along with them, we are also
sending a message to them that this is wrong. It could hurt that
person’s feeling; he may feel offended and rejected. This is the
tough part, right? We don’t mind doing the good and right. But if by
doing will expose those
sins and falsehood in people around me, I may have a second thought.
If by saying that sexual immorality, or dishonesty is not pleasing to
God, someone may get offended and stop coming to church; will I still
proceed?
The scripture tells us that when we live as light, we will
expose the sins and darkness around us. Sometimes it means that we may
even have to rebuke others for their behaviors. It is difficult, but
it is the right thing to do.
Conclusion:
The first century Ephesus, 21st century Houston, San Francisco,
NY, Almaty, Beijing, Taipei and HK all have something in common. A
breakdown of sexual moral standards.
When
we reject the existence of absolute truth, refuse to obey any
authority; resulting in moral relativism. What we care about is my own
personal choice. No one can tell me what to do and what not to do.
But
as Christians, this is different. We believe the existence of God, the
absolute truth. Therefore we also recognize that there is a different
standard that governs all of our life.
I
think of the two new believers in Central Asia, both in their 60’s.
When I saw them just before my departure, they both repeatedly said,
“I know from now on I have to live according to God's word.” Even
though they are new in faith, it appears that they have a good
understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ. This is how
Paul summarizes this passage in vs 14: “for it is light that makes
everything visible. This is why it is said: wake up, O sleeper, rise
from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
We
were once in darkness, we were dead, but now Christ has caused us to
live again, we have become a light in Jesus Christ. This is why we are
to be different from others. We are different because God's spirit
lives within us. We are different because we are a holy people, we are
different because we want nothing to do with God's wrath. We are
different, because we are the light, we are to radiate what is good,
right and true into this dark world. And for this reason, we hold onto
that higher standard of living.
Rev. William
Hsueh Apr 08, 2001
Houston Chinese Church, Houston, Texas
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