“Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but
instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things
which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are
exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this
reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine
on you.”” (Ephesians 5:11–14, NASB95)
Sin thrives in darkness where it is hidden from view of
those who might speak against its wrong. But it is not that simple. Not all sin
happens in the dark, but in full view of others who keep their mouths shut and
ignore the sin in the name of tolerance or indifference. This generalized
acceptance then creates an environment for continued and even growing sin. In
the world we expect this because those apart from Christ are shrouded in
spiritual darkness. But in the church this is not to be the case. As believers
in Christ, Paul repeatedly pleaded and even commanded us not to live as if we
were still in that same darkness. We have been made children of Light and we
are now the Light in the Lord. This is what we read in the verses just before
these, and here we are again told not to participate in any way, shape or
fashion in those “unfruitful deeds of darkness.” That is the directive given to
each of us.
Not only are we not to participate in them, but we are also
told to do something which many are reluctant to do. Paul tells us that we are
even to expose them. This word “expose” has the meaning of reproving, rebuking,
convincing, calling to account and exposing in the light. In 2 Timothy 3:16 we
read, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16,
ESV) The word “reproof” here originates from the same word that is used in
Ephesians 5:11. The word of God, which has been breathed out by God’s Spirit,
is profitable (beneficial and useful) not just for teaching, but teaching for
change. We read that the Word is given for reproof and correction or for
exposing the deeds of darkness and giving a new direction according to the
Light.
As brothers and sisters in Christ we are to engage with one
another by exhorting and encouraging one another in our walk according to who
we are in Christ. This is the instruction in Philippians 4 when the church is
encouraged to help two women who once had served side-by-side but had somehow
gotten sideways with each other. This instruction comes always with the primary
consideration that we are to look introspectively at ourselves first as opposed
to looking judgmentally to others. This is what we read in Matthew 7:1-5 where
Jesus enjoined His hearers to be responsive to the sin in their own life and
then as a result see clear enough to help others also. This would have been in
stark contrast to the Pharisees who were so openly self-righteous and
judgmental. There is a huge difference between finger-wagging and encouraging
one another in corrective growth.
From the things that Paul encouraged his readers not to
participate in, I can imagine, based upon the cults around them and from the
mention of what they were not to do, that there was some legitimate indication
that those very things might have been happening to some degree among the
Ephesian believers. Paul told them to stop it. Those sorts of things aren’t
even to be talked about let alone accepted and even practiced. Some might say
that just because something isn’t specifically condemned or re-condemned in the
New Testament that is has been somehow now acceptable. Consider for a moment
that maybe included in what Paul said is that some of these things have not
been expressed in detail because they are so obviously detestable that they
needed no further discussion.
This is not who they were, and as such it is not how they
were supposed to live. Even today in our world when Christians ignore practices
among themselves in the name of “not judging” we see that the church in a
general sense loses the priority of Light living. Just as Paul was writing to
the Ephesians, so are we today to engage in Light living because as believers
in Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the World, our identity has been changed
such that we are children of Light. As such, no binders or winking is allowed.
Paul went on to write that these things become obvious when
they are exposed to the light, and then everything that is seen is viewed in
the full brightness of light. This means that sin can be seen as sin, and
righteous living can be seen as righteous living. There is no ignoring or hiding
any more.
Adding that not everyone who heard this letter read was
necessarily a believer, there likely many among them who were attracted for one
reason or another and were checking things out, but who had made no decision.
Paul gives these people an exhortation and an invitation to respond, saying,
“Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” These
words are reflective of the words of Isiah where he pleads with Jerusalem to
awaken from its awaken from its drunken stupor and to look to the light which
has come (Isaiah 51:17; 52:1; 60:1). "Arise, shine, for your light has
come, and the glory of the Lord
has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1, ESV) Those unbelievers hearing this had been
told of the Light who is Christ, and Paul told them to wake up to the truth.
Even today as we speak to others in our churches not everyone will be a
believer in Christ. For those who are we are to encourage them to walk according
to who they are, and for those who aren’t we are to encourage them to respond
to the truth which they have heard and the light which is being shined on their
heart.
Beyond the church walls, we also are the salt of the world.
Our Christianity is not a uniform to be put on and off. We are to be
continually putting on our new identity and putting off that which is of old.
This is the instruction in the previous chapter (Ephesians 4:22-24), and where
appropriate we are to wake up to this truth and respond to it accordingly in
the entirety of our lives and in our interactions with others in the body of
Christ.
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