As I’ve been sharing in the last few posts, thanks to Jesus Christ, we are no longer in darkness and can walk as children of light. However, what if we are tempted to go back to our old ways? What will happen then? That is what I’d like to discuss now.
Previously, I mentioned that the apostle Paul told the saints in Ephesus, “For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,” (Eph. 5:8). If we imitate God, as dear children, we will walk in the ways of God. This is contrasted by his warnings earlier in the chapter. There we are told “Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God” (Eph. 5:5). This is pretty serious to say! He tells us that we won’t have any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God if we live our lives in sins.
These include sexual sins, covetousness, or general uncleanness.
Because of the broad nature of these words, I think it would be a safe recommendation to avoid anything that make us impure or mar our holiness before God. Turning away from such actions is even stressed in other ways in the passage. For example, they are restated again a couple of verses earlier,
But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints; [4] nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate, but rather giving of thanks.
Ephesians 5:3-4
Elsewhere the apostle Paul again warns against darkness. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he makes a series of rhetorical questions to help disciples there recognize their dangerous situation:
- For what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have?
- Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
- What agreement does Christ have with Belial?
- Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever?
- What agreement does a temple of God have with idols?
Of course, the answer to all of these is obvious, “None!”
Thankfully, after these statements (2 Cor. 6:14-16), we are reminded of God’s desire for us to be separate and received by Him.
Therefore “ ‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you. [18] I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6:17-18
This is what we need to focus on. Yes, the world will offer us many temporary pleasures if we give into our lusts and turn away from God (2 Tim. 4:9-10; 1 John 2:15-17). Yet God is faithful and will give us what we need, and we can take pleasure in the good that He blesses us with. With contentment and an appreciation of our fellowship with Him, that is more than enough!
Image Used
Crashing of Waves in Darkness by Tho-Ge from Pixabay.
James L. Hutton 