Scripture Reading(s)
Ephesians 5:1-6
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children
2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Reflections
I remember sitting at my desk, early one school morning, getting all my lesson plans in order and making sure I was organized and ready to start my lessons for the day. As the school bell went off, I immediately heard the sound of my grade 3 and 4 class coming down the hall. As they came filing in, I heard one of my students start to point out to her friends that new bring pink nail polish that her mom had painted on for her.
She was so excited and happy because well, she loved the way her mom looked and wanted to imitate her as closely as possible. From her mother’s hair styles, to the color of her nails, this little girl sought to try and replicate everything and anything that her mom did. Including some of her mothers reprimanding words that she attempted to use on some of her fellow classmates.
When it comes to the life of the Christian, we are called to represent Christ in every single area of our lives. We are to be so different from the world and more like Christ that people notice a difference in us. Paul here outlines for us some major key areas in which we are not to dabble in and be set apart from. The first and most profound statement he uses is “be imitators of God.”
That is a bold statement and yet the standard is set for us. We are to daily pursue a life that is a clear representation of the one whom we claim to love. We are to represent His love, purity, integrity, have clean hearts and lips, and only worship God alone and nothing else.
The good news is that we do not have to do this on our own. God provides His word as a daily source of strength and guidance to help us in our pursuit to live holy lives. Taking the time to read His word each day, meditate on it, will change our hearts in the way we act, think, and speak.
The first time I read this passage I felt like God was calling me out. I was about 18 and I was still a new Christian. When I read the words,
let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking
I felt a considerable amount of conviction. Even as an adult, I still a bit convicted. It is important that we do not get too carried away even in our humor. Even something meant to be funny can have a negative effect on us.
As my father always said about certain TV programs, what goes in eventually comes out.
[Featured image from biblia.com]