Ephesians the Great Exhortation

Ephesians 5 has been very hard for me to break down and write about. Partly due to the fact Ephesians 5 has sooo much to say. Paul covers a lot of ground in Ephesians 5. Partly because I have a hard time desiring to put it into practice in my own life. So let's jump right in.
¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Paul start off by calling the Ephesians,"dearly loved children." Sweet words to hear as we are to follow God's example. He had just commanded them to forgive one another as God forgives us. Now we are not only to forgive but love and sacrifice ourselves. How intimidating. How amazing.

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them.

Paul puts a the bar almost too high to reach here. Not even a hint of foolish talk or coarse joking. I am a nurse. We laugh and talk to ease the difficulty of our day, but here I am need to put off such things. I enjoy laughing, but I shouldn't laugh at the things that God tells me not too. When I am working and the day is going bad, I am not making jokes of thanksgiving. One of my friends recently said to me that I might have an excess of joy in my life. It took me a long time to think about why God would say that to me. The conclusion that I have come to is that I have an excess of the wrong kind of joy in my life. I need to learn how to enjoy God and thanksgiving vs. enjoy coarse humor and rough jokes. 

 ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:
   “Wake up, sleeper,
   rise from the dead,
   and Christ will shine on you.”
I like the imagery here. I need to live a child of light. I am light. Now as a child of light I have a mission to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. This idea is so exciting to me!

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.


 Paul gives some very practical advice on how to carry out this awesome mission. He has encouraged the Ephesians to throw off foolish living that draws their hearts away from God. With that comes some simply, yet hard for my heart to hear commands. Don't talk foolishly... even if it causes you to be seen as popular. Have nothing to do with that kind of talk or behavior... even if it means that being separated from my friends or coworkers. Don't give into peer pressure. Don't eat or drink anything to lower inhibitions. God gives us a conscience for a reason. That is His Spirit talking to us. Don't try and silence it. The effort that would have been spent on the frivolity of this world should them be used in the pursuit of our Savior. Be filled with the Spirit. Speak good words to one another. Follow God's example.