but now we are "light in the Lord" and should walk as
"children of light" - Ep 5:8
2. The "fruit" expected of those "children of light" is "goodness,
righteousness and truth" - Ep 5:9
3. By bearing such fruit, we fulfill our role as "light" by
"proving" (demonstrating) what is well-pleasing to the Lord -
Ep 5:10; cf. Ro 12:1-2
B. AS "LIGHT" WE MUST NECESSARILY EXPOSE "DARKNESS"... (11-14)
1. We are not to have fellowship with "unfruitful works of
darkness" - Ep 5:11; e.g., fornication, uncleanness,
covetousness, Ep 5:3-4
2. Instead, our task is to "expose" them - Ep 5:11b-13
a. Things that we must "expose" are often so disgraceful, it is
shameful to speak of them
b. But by "walking in the light" ourselves, we can through
example and word expose by contrast these "works of
darkness"
3. Thus the need to be "light" ourselves, something that comes
only from Christ - Ep 5:14
a. Christ gives "light" to those who were spiritually asleep
and dead - cf. Ep 2:4-6
b. Some scholars think this verse (14) may have been an early
"baptismal hymn", sung at a person's baptism
[To "Walk As Light" is an awesome responsibility, and some have allowed
the "darkness" to overshadow the "light", rather than the "light"
exposing the "darkness". How can we be sure to carry out our role as
"the children of light"?
This is were "wisdom" comes in, and therefore Paul exhorts us to...]
III. WALK AS WISE (15-21)
A. CHARACTERISTICS OF "WALKING AS WISE"... (15-17)
1. Doing so with great care - Ep 5:15
a. The word translated "circumspectly" means "exactly,
accurately, diligently"
b. Unlike fools, who care little about where they are going or
what is happening
2. Taking advantage of the time available to one - Ep 5:16
a. To "redeem the time" is "to make wise and sacred use of
every opportunity for doing good, so that zeal and well
doing are as it were the purchase money by which we make the
time our own" (from the "Online Bible")
b. This is necessary, because the days are "evil" (bringing
toils, annoyances, perils; of a time full of peril to
Christian faith and steadfastness; causing pain and trouble
- Online Bible)
3. Understanding the will of the Lord - Ep 5:17
a. Only by understanding the will of the Lord can we be a "wise
people"
b. Just as Israel was to demonstrate their wisdom by doing the
will of the Lord, so we can "walk as wise" only if we
understand His will for us - cf. Deut 4:5-6
B. TO WALK AS WISE REQUIRES BEING "FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT"... (18-21)
1. While those who "walk as fools" delight in being filled with
wine, those who "walk as wise" will endeavor to be filled with
the Spirit!
2. What evidence is there that one is "filled with the Spirit"?
Paul describes three indications...
a. One indication is singing praises - Ep 5:19
b. Another indication is giving thanks - Ep 5:20
c. A third indication is submitting to one another in the fear
of God - Ep 5:21
CONCLUSION
1. Children of God who delight in...
a. Singing praises and making melody in the heart
b. Giving thanks always for all things to God
c. Submitting to one another in the fear of God
-- demonstrate that they are "filled with the Spirit", and as such,
truly are "followers of God as dear children" (Ep 5:1)
2. As children of God, and "filled with the Spirit", they are able to
walk in a manner worthy of their calling, as they...
a. "Walk in love"
b. "Walk as light"
c. "Walk as wise"
3. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we live in a world...
a. That has perverted the meaning of "love"
b. That takes perverse pleasure in works of darkness
c. That stumbles around aimlessly, like drunken fools
-- Can we not see the need for the people of God today to live up to
their "calling", and to "prove what is acceptable in the Lord"?
4. May God fill His children with His Spirit...
a. So that we can truly "walk in love", "walk as light", and "walk as
wise"
b. And thereby show to the world the "fruit of the Spirit" (i.e.,
goodness, righteousness, and truth)!
