THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 5, Be Imitators of God, Marriage Like Christ and the Church.

THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 5

Be Imitators of God, Marriage Like Christ and the Church

Paul’s Holy Spirit inspired words now become intensely personal for the believer. It is written that the Word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart, and the words of this chapter will reach to deepest regions of your heart, soul, mind and spirit – if you will allow it – and will transform you.

Be Imitators of God

Ephesians 5:1, Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; verse 2, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

(Commentary Break): Scriptures tell us, in Genesis 1:7 that “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female”. A close examination of the Hebrew word “image” (tseh’-lem) reveals that we were made in His image as a faint copy, a phantom, a likeness but with the flaw of dubious character; a vain show – but with the potential of being perfected through Christ Jesus; (And by this one sacrifice, He has perfected those who are being sanctified, Hebrews 10:14.)

In the meantime, we are to “be imitators, (mimétés) of God” – mimics, emulators; a positive imitation that arises by admiring the pattern set by God Himself: God shapes His people through the visible, Spirit filled replication of approved patterns, climaxing in the conformity to His Son). And this “imitation” is to be done as a sacrifice of our own former life just as Christ gave Himself up for us. A high calling, indeed. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 3. But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints; verse 4, and there must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Verse 5. For this you know with certainty, that no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, which amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

(Commentary Break): This is where the tares are separated from the wheat. (See Matthew 13:24-30). There are those in the church who regularly practice “deeds of the flesh” in the dark with no remorse. (I say ‘with no remorse’ because a sense of remorse is a sign that perhaps the Holy Spirit is at work convicting and guiding such a person to break free from the sin that ensnares and entraps them. But the lack of remorse shows the probability that they are the ‘tares’ in the field of wheat and the ‘goats’ hiding in the flock of God’s sheep.)

This teaching and warning is repeated in similar language in Galatians 5:16-24. Paul makes it crystal clear that the believer must make it a high priority to purge such thoughts and behavior from their lives – “for this you know with certainty, that no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, which amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God”. (Know that God has made a way, a provision for those of us, like Paul, who struggle in these matters. And that there is now no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus as we wage this war of the mind, this war of the flesh versus the Spirit. (See Romans 7:14 through Romans 8:11). (End Commentary Break).

Verse 6. See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Verse 7. Therefore do not become partners with them; verse 8, for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light verse 9, (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), verse 10, as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Verse 11. Do not participate in the useless deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; verse 12, for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. Verse 13. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. Verse 14. For this reason it says,

“Awake, sleeper,

And arise from the dead,

And Christ will shine on you.”

(Commentary Break): Today as then, false teachers and wolves, even agents of Satan have crept into the church to mislead as many as possible and to even corrupt the church if that were possible. Scriptures warn of the coming apostasy. People will practice a form of godliness which denies the power of the Gospel of Christ (See 2 Timothy 3:5) – this too is a falling away from the faith, the true Gospel of Jesus. This apostasy is of epic proportions today and it is masquerading as the church. (Please reference “The False Church Emerges”). (End Commentary Break).

Verse 15. So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, verse 16, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Verse 17. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

(Commentary Break): Here are four instances of the twenty-five occurrences of the phrase “God’s Will” from the Bible where the Bible clearly explains God’s Will:

1 Peter 2:15 “For such is the will of God, that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Do you want to see the power of God’s Word and His Spirit work for good in your life? Does using these three verses sound too simple? Well, you can expand on these verses. But, just try these for a start.

DO RIGHT.

RENEW YOUR MIND TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT.

ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY.

IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS

Interesting, huh? God’s Will produces a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING. Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life? Think about it. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 18. And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, verse 19, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; verse 20, always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father; verse 21, and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.

(Commentary Break): Has it become unacceptable to live a righteous life in speech and behavior? It would seem that the pagan and unregenerate world has either convinced the child of God or cowered him or her to just relax their standards. They say, “don’t be so rigid. Don’t be so legalistic”. But Jesus says that we are to be “salt and light” in this fallen and dying world as a witness to God. We aren’t to condemn but we are not to participate in the foolish ways of the world – and that includes getting drunk. (And by the way, in case you haven’t thought about it, there is only one way to get drunk – and that is by drinking.) The voices of the Bible repeatedly warn that we are not to participate in such things, and that we are even to flee from them. So, does it make you an oddity, a weird person to, at all times, be filled with the Spirit, speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and make melody with your hearts to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father; and to subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ? Again. Think about it. (End Commentary Break).

Marriage like Christ and the Church

Verse 22. Wives, subject yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Verse 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. Verse 24. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

Verse 25. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, verse 26, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, verse 27, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. Verse 28. So husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; verse 29, for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, verse 30, because we are parts of His body. Verse 31. FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND HIS MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. Verse 32. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Verse 33. Nevertheless, as for you individually, each husband is to love his own wife the same as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

(Commentary Break): These verses speak loudly and clearly enough without comment. However, despite their clarity, these teachings and instructional commandments are largely ignored in these last days. Feminism has influenced and infected many women in the church – so much so, they desire to rule over the entire church as pastors. And just as sadly, men are neglecting their role as leaders and have gone silent, are submitting to or are staying away from the current-day feminized church. And by Paul’s own words, it is women who are to remain silent in the church. Even well-known pastors are encouraging women to assume positions of authority over men and the church as they have become false teachers, bending to the will of the world.

Paul, in sharp contrast, tells men and women how to love the Church and one another. Is it little wonder that “many are called but few are chosen”? Please, dear friends let’s not depart from the word of God. It is our source of strength and sanctuary. (End Commentary Break).

End Chapter 5.

“Because the days are evil, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

The Bible speaks of God’s will many times. Do you want to see God’s Word and Spirit powerfully at work in your life? These instructions may seem simple, but they provide a solid starting point:

• Just do what is right.
• Deliberately and frequently renew your mind according to what is good, acceptable, and perfect.
• Abstain from sexual immorality.
• Give thanks in every circumstance, know that everything works together for your good – for those who are called according to His purpose.

Notice the result: God’s Will leads to a life characterized by righteousness, goodness, spiritual maturity, purity, and gratitude. Isn’t that the kind of life we desire in every circumstance? Think about it. Meditate on it.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Next: (coming soon) – THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 6, Children and Parents, Slaves and Masters, The Armor of God.

Previous: THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 4, Unity of the Spirit, The Christian’s Walk.

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