“5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” – Ephesians 5:5 (ESV)
The above verse is where I was led this morning in my study of the word “immoral”. I see again the use of immoral in the sexual context, but I also see more of the same definition as noted before that immoral is wicked / bad. I have taken on that as my substitute for the word to define for myself what immorality is.
“6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not become partners with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light.” – Ephesians 5:6-14a (ESV)
Now to the passage and my learning from it. The passage in my ESV Bible is titled, “Walk in Love”. I would add “Light” to that as well after reading and seeing more. We are to be the and in the light. Evil parades around in darkness. It is shrouded in secret. It is hidden behind closed doors. It is where things are not known to everyone, that is in the beginning. Immorality is in the dark.
As we review the passage above and the full passage of Ephesians 5:1-21 we see that walking in love as Christ is also walking in the light for all to see. It is here that people see your actions on display. We should be on display for the world to see as followers and imitators of Christ. We want the world to be exposed to His glory and the salvation that comes with knowing and submitting to Him.
Yes, we do have a right to privacy and intimacy within our home. I for one enjoy and look forward to spending that quality time with Lori that is devoted to just the two of us. Yet, when it is not just the two of us in our private time, we are to expose ourselves to the world to see. We are to show the world Christ, who is in us. We are give ourselves to the spreading of the Gospel and ensuring that the LORD is on full display in our lives.
See in verse 8 above that we are now “light in the Lord” and we are to “Walk as children of light”. This means to me that I have to stay out of the darkness for that is where wicked/bad or immoral resides. I have to be the light and stay out of the darkness. Yes, there is something to say about bringing light to the darkness, but that is a topic for another time. It is better for me to keep my light there for all to see and stay out of the darkness to have the best chance and keeping away from the immoral or wicked/bad that resides there.
What is your take on darkness? Are you comfortable there where the wicked/bad or immoral reside? What if you were to stay out of the darkness and be in the light what/where you are called to be as a follower of Christ?
Trevor's Thoughts 