Marvin L. Weir
The Lord’s church is precious in the sight of God. In communicating to the church at Ephesus, Paul outlines some obligations and responsibilities of obedient and faithful children in the Father’s household. Obedient children will . . .
Follow Christ In Love (Eph. 5:2)! One will either follow Satan and the ways of the world or he will follow Christ and seek to live according to the Word of God. Paul said, “Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love . . .” (Eph. 5:1-2). Peter admonishes, “For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). One should love Christ and all brethren who are living in such a way as to bring honor and glory to the Master. Coffman, commenting on 1 Pet. 2:21, said:
Hereunto were ye called … Christ suffered vicariously for all people; and it is incumbent upon his followers that they should not shrink from any duty because of any suffering that might be incurred. There is also the thought here that, just as slaves were obligated to obey their masters, so Christians are also obligated to obey Christ. Leaving you an example … “The word from which example comes is found nowhere else in the New Testament”; and the meaning of it is very similar to words translated figure in Acts 7:44 and pattern in Heb 8:5. The word is hupogrammos, and means “a writing copy,” that is, a pattern for a copybook. This is therefore a valuable witness for existence of a heavenly pattern, not merely for the building of the church and the ordering of its worship, [and] government …, but also for the behavior and life-style of Christians as well.
Avoid All Immorality (Eph. 5:3)! The obedient child of God will make sure he avoids all of the pitfalls associated with sexual sins. We live in a world filled with selfish and self centered people who demand to engage in whatever immoral acts they choose. This mindset has led to the homosexual uprising that has swept through our nation like a prairie fire. Now the abominable transgender movement is burning brighter and spreading more rapidly than did the homosexual movement in its beginning. Adultery is at an all time high because vows made before God and men are meaningless. One ignores the Bible at his own peril—“Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). History has no lesson more forcefully communicated than the truth that immorality will lead to the downfall of any individual or nation!
Refrain From Obscene Language (Eph. 5:4-5)! One needs to exercise great care when it comes to the tongue. James says,
Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter? Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? Neither can salt water yield sweet (Jam. 3:9-12).
F.F. Bruce believed that “all light and irreverent talk about sacred things is to be utterly reprobated.” Foul, filthy, or blasphemous language is not befitting of a follower of Christ and does not in any way glorify God.
Don’t Let Others Deceive You (Eph. 5:6-7)! The Bible states, “…let God be found true, but every man a liar…” (Rom. 3:4). One should not place his faith in man but rather in the Son of Man. Anyone who teaches contrary to the Sacred Scriptures is a false teacher! Jesus warned, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Matt. 24:24). Instead of believing every teacher, one should prove them (by the Bible) as many false teachers exist (cf. 1 John 4:1).
Walk In The Light (Eph. 5:8-9, 11-14)! To walk in the light is to live as directed by the Holy Scriptures. The Word of God is “a lamp unto [our] feet, and light unto [our] path” (Psa. 119:105). The obedient child of God is willing to be guided by a “thus saith the Lord.” May we remember that “[w]ith (God) is wisdom and might; He hath counsel and understanding” (Job 12:13)!
Seek God’s Will And Do It (Eph. 5:10, 17)! An obedient child’s sight is set on things that are above and not upon things that are below (cf. Col. 3:2). The Lord’s will for humans can be understood and only the unwise and foolish disagree (Eph. 5:17). It requires effort, however, and one must diligently seek to know the truth that frees one from the bondage of sin (John 8:32; 2 Tim. 2:15).
Use Every Opportunity To Do Good (Eph. 5:15-16)! It is foolish to follow the Devil and wise to follow God. The Lord went about “doing good” (Acts 10:38), and so should we as His followers.“So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith” (Gal. 6:10). An obedient child of God will make good use of the time that has graciously been given him while sojourning upon this earth (Eph. 5:16)!
Be Thankful For All Things (Eph. 5:20)! Ingratitude cripples so many in this world. Thanksgiving is a grace that will be manifested in every obedient child of God. The Scriptures remind us, “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:7).
Submit To One Another (Eph. 5:21). Barnes says, “The general meaning here is, that Christianity does not break up the relations of life, and produce disorder, lawlessness, and insubordination; but that it will confirm every proper authority, and make every just yoke lighter.”
These are a few areas that should be of concern to every obedient child of God. May we have proper respect for the Lord, His church, and one another! Let us strive to honor and glorify the Father and the Savior in all that we do!
