Ephesians 5:1-17
Kent Bailey
The will of God, as it relates to our lives, is of crucial importance. It has been revealed to us by means of the plenary verbally inspired scriptures. Thus, to come to a point in life where we can comprehend and know the word of God means that we will have developed a proper understanding of the will of God for our own lives (2 Tim. 3:15-17).
The truth of God is objective. It is knowable and understandable. It constitutes the power of God unto salvation. Upon one’s reception of such truth one will be adequately motivated to obey the conditions thereof and be saved from one’s past alien sins as well as to continue in this divinely inspired word which will keep us cleansed from sin and make us fit for heaven in eternity (John 8:32; 1 John 1; Jas. 1:16-25).
Understanding the will of the Lord is inclusive of numerous components. May we have the courage to ascertain them and make proper application of them to our lives that we may be saved in eternity.
Understanding the will of the Lord is essential in becoming a Christian. New Testament Christianity is a taught religion (John 6:44-45). In every case of conversion as set forth in the New Testament, alien sinners were taught the truth of God. Because of the nature of both Christianity, as well as divine truth; there are certain specifics that must be understood before one can become a Christian (Mark 16:15-16; Matt. 28:18-20).
While it takes more knowledge of the truth of God to remain faithful as a Christian than it does to become a Christian, there are certain aspects of truth one must know and understand in order to qualify in obedience to the gospel of Christ.
-
One must accept the truth regarding God’s being (Heb. 11:6).
-
One must accept the truth regarding divine revelation (John 8:32).
-
One must accept the truth regarding Christ (John 1:12).
-
One must accept the truth regarding the divine conditions of pardon (Rom. 6:17-18; Acts 8:23-31).
-
One must accept the truth regarding the nature of the church (Acts 2:47).
In becoming a Christian one must be willing to learn the will of the Lord that will enable us to remain faithful unto him and grow thereby (1 Pet. 2:1-5).
Understanding the will of the Lord is essential in following Christ. Because we are covenant children of God we must follow him. We must learn to love as Christ has loved us. Such is indicative of loving God’s truth and developing a strong desire to walk in God’s ways (Eph. 5:1-2; 1 John 1).
Understanding the will of the Lord is essential in avoiding sin. Many times Christians involve themselves in sinful situations because of lack of knowledge regarding the scriptures, or else they have forgotten previous knowledge of God’s truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Fornication, uncleanness, covetousness are subtle incipience of immortality that can be implanted into the lives of Christians. We can avoid such by learning the truth of God and submitting our lives in obedience to such.
Christians are saints (hagiois), holy ones, separated unto God as having been redeemed by the blood of Christ (Rom. 6:1-4). Let us therefore be separated from filthiness (aischrotes), shameful immoral activity, foolish talking (morologia), speech resulting from a lack of proper thought regarding spiritual things, and jesting (eutrapelia), witty language inclusive of sinful insinuations (Eph. 5:3-4).
Understanding the will of the Lord is essential in understanding the consequences of sin. Christians need to remind themselves that when we allow sin to come into our lives there are consequences regarding such activity (Eph. 5:5-6). For Christians to gain heaven as our eternal home we must repent of sins when we fall into such (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:6-10).
Understanding the will of the Lord is essential in maintaining fellowship with Christ and all faithful Christians. One needs to be careful not to be led away and deceived by vain words of uninspired men (Matt. 15:13-14; Rom. 16:17-18). The New Testament of Christ is our only standard of authority (Col. 3:17). If one cannot demonstrate a divine approval by means of the scriptures for their beliefs and actions they need to be rejected (Eph. 5:6).
Fellowship (koinonia) is defined as joint participation. If one is to be with scriptural warrant in fellowship with Christ one cannot be a partaker of situations that are sinful (Eph. 5:7-12). One cannot conjointly be in fellowship with both Christ and sin (1 John 1:1-6; 2 Cor. 6:14-18).
Scriptural fellowship is not determined by family or friends, but rather by the truth of God (Eph. 5:13-15). In consideration of usage of the term light (photos) such refers to enlightenment or understanding. The essence of God is the source of our enlightenment as set forth in the scriptures (1 John 1:5; Jas. 1:17; John 1:4; Psa. 119:105; Prov. 6:23). This light is thus in the Lord. There must be a vital connection to him by means of both obedience to the gospel of Christ as well as faithfulness in living.
May we have the courage to walk circumspectly (akribos), i.e., carefully redeeming the time, and by making proper usage of our time by coming to a proper understanding of the will of the Lord.
