Obviously, I like Ephesians 5. Since I was 17, this chapter has challenged me to higher ground. It is short and sweet; complicated and deep. It is theology made practical.
Tonight I was given the opportunity to introduce Ephesians 5 to our small group Bible study. God has used this specific chapter to grow my heart through various seasons of life, and I hope that my story can resonate with others.
Growing up in a God-loving family, I had little experience with darkness. I was aware of sin in the world. I was aware of selfishness within my heart. I knew that people hurt themselves and each other. But my frame of reference was sheltered, protected in love.
As I re-entered public school in high school, I began to encounter darkness. A youth leader challenged me to read the book of Ephesians every day. So, I did. Verse 10 captivated my heart, beginning a quest to "find out what pleases the Lord" that I expect will continue driving my passion until Heaven. I see now that light in the Lord is the only true weapon against the darkness.
When I began college at Washington State, my picture of the darkness deepened. I met people raped by sin. Women, trading their beauty for stupidity and violence. I was shocked that anyone could choose to live in darkness when light was so obvious to me. For the first time, I realized there was a visible difference of walking in the light, in the day, in the love of Christ. God burdened my heart for the women of my dorm, my neighbors, my friends.
Ephesians 5 continues to stalk my heart. This past spring, I memorized the second half of Ephesians 5 as part of pre-marital counseling homework. The verses painted a beautiful picture of marriage, but the pain of a broken engagement threatened my interpretation of the passage. Thankfully, my emotions do not determine the validity of Scripture.
I am constantly encouraged by Paul's revelation of marriage as a reflection of Christ and the Church. Praise Jesus for His selfless love, His washing grace, His tender mercies. We are Christ's beloved, His bride.
Praise God, who brings us together in Himself.
Monday, March 9, 2009
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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