Ephesians 5:9-19 (12/6)
Epistle for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Walk as Children of the Light: Ephesians 5:9-19, especially vss. 15, 16:
"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
In 1943, after his army swept ashore and occupied the Vichy-French
colony of Morocco, American General George S. Patton issued an order to
his troops using a classic speech-maker'
declaration and following with a series of commands. Patton declared,
"Each one of you is a representative of a great and victorious army."
And then he ordered, "Stand up, keep your clothes buttoned, your chin
straps fastened. Salute your officers....
In the present passage, Saint Paul uses this same time-tested method
with us. In the verse before the passage, he makes his basic
declaration: "...you were once darkness, but now you are light in the
Lord" (vs. 8). Then, in the verses of the passage, he follows up with a
string of commands, starting even at the end of verse 8, "Walk as
children of light." The subsequent commands in Saint Paul's list are
extensions of this initial declaration requiring our action.
As we read, bear in mind that throughout the passage all the
declarations and subsequent commands are paired - positives connected
with parallel negatives - "...once darkness..." - "...now...light.
(vs. 8); "...have no fellowship..
and, "...walk...not as fools but as wise..." (vs. 15). The point is
that all of the commands are rooted in the nature of being a Christian,
of being "...light in the Lord" (vs. 8). Keep this truth about
ourselves in mind as we consider the four pair of commands that the
Apostle intends us to take to heart and carry out.
The first command is: "...have no fellowship with the unfruitful works
of darkness, but rather expose them" (vs. 11). Our free choice is
clearly implied in this imperative. Every one chooses those with whom
he has fellowship: koinonia or communion. To openly opt out of idolatry
or immorality, exposes the false worship of self-indulging gatherings
for what they are: "...the cup of demons..." (1 Cor. 10:21) as Saint
Paul calls them. Light exposes darkness.
Next, the Apostle commands us to "See then that you walk circumspectly,
not as fools but as wise..."(Eph. 5:15). Of course, Biblically, a fool
is one who says, "...There is no God" (Ps. 13:1). But we are children
of light (Eph. 5:8), who have wakened from sleep and received the light
of wisdom from Christ (vs. 14), despite the evil days of this present
age (vs. 16).
To avoid unwise choices we must make every effort to "...understand what
the will of the Lord is" (vs. 17), as Saint Paul's next command
indicates. This directive moves the committed Christian toward regular
participation in the Divine Liturgy, a prayer rule that includes the
reading of Holy Scripture, a constant plea to our gracious God to
"...come and dwell in us and cleanse us of every stain of sin..." and to
"...illumine our hearts...with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge."
There are many false choices, but only one true way to God and His
blessings.
Finally, the Apostle orders that we "...not be drunk with wine, in which
is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit..." (vs. 18). The pagan
worship that surrounded the early Christians was little more than orgies
and bacchanals, to which Saint Paul offered the obvious, sacred option
of "...psalms and hymns and spiritual songs..."(vs. 19), which is ever
the nature of the Church's worship - always to encourage "...singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord..." (vs. 19).
So, how do we "Walk as children of light" (vs. 8)? The Apostle Paul
directs us, at least, to avoid obvious evil company, heed the Church's
teaching, seek God in regular devotion, and to practice moderation in
our daily living. After all, we are "...light in the Lord" (vs. 8).
Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of Thy servants as may be
most expedient for us, granting us in this world the knowledge of Thy
truth, and in the age to come, life eternal.
__,_._,___
Epistle for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Walk as Children of the Light: Ephesians 5:9-19, especially vss. 15, 16:
"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
In 1943, after his army swept ashore and occupied the Vichy-French
colony of Morocco, American General George S. Patton issued an order to
his troops using a classic speech-maker'
declaration and following with a series of commands. Patton declared,
"Each one of you is a representative of a great and victorious army."
And then he ordered, "Stand up, keep your clothes buttoned, your chin
straps fastened. Salute your officers....
In the present passage, Saint Paul uses this same time-tested method
with us. In the verse before the passage, he makes his basic
declaration: "...you were once darkness, but now you are light in the
Lord" (vs. 8). Then, in the verses of the passage, he follows up with a
string of commands, starting even at the end of verse 8, "Walk as
children of light." The subsequent commands in Saint Paul's list are
extensions of this initial declaration requiring our action.
As we read, bear in mind that throughout the passage all the
declarations and subsequent commands are paired - positives connected
with parallel negatives - "...once darkness..." - "...now...light.
(vs. 8); "...have no fellowship..
and, "...walk...not as fools but as wise..." (vs. 15). The point is
that all of the commands are rooted in the nature of being a Christian,
of being "...light in the Lord" (vs. 8). Keep this truth about
ourselves in mind as we consider the four pair of commands that the
Apostle intends us to take to heart and carry out.
The first command is: "...have no fellowship with the unfruitful works
of darkness, but rather expose them" (vs. 11). Our free choice is
clearly implied in this imperative. Every one chooses those with whom
he has fellowship: koinonia or communion. To openly opt out of idolatry
or immorality, exposes the false worship of self-indulging gatherings
for what they are: "...the cup of demons..." (1 Cor. 10:21) as Saint
Paul calls them. Light exposes darkness.
Next, the Apostle commands us to "See then that you walk circumspectly,
not as fools but as wise..."(Eph. 5:15). Of course, Biblically, a fool
is one who says, "...There is no God" (Ps. 13:1). But we are children
of light (Eph. 5:8), who have wakened from sleep and received the light
of wisdom from Christ (vs. 14), despite the evil days of this present
age (vs. 16).
To avoid unwise choices we must make every effort to "...understand what
the will of the Lord is" (vs. 17), as Saint Paul's next command
indicates. This directive moves the committed Christian toward regular
participation in the Divine Liturgy, a prayer rule that includes the
reading of Holy Scripture, a constant plea to our gracious God to
"...come and dwell in us and cleanse us of every stain of sin..." and to
"...illumine our hearts...with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge."
There are many false choices, but only one true way to God and His
blessings.
Finally, the Apostle orders that we "...not be drunk with wine, in which
is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit..." (vs. 18). The pagan
worship that surrounded the early Christians was little more than orgies
and bacchanals, to which Saint Paul offered the obvious, sacred option
of "...psalms and hymns and spiritual songs..."(vs. 19), which is ever
the nature of the Church's worship - always to encourage "...singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord..." (vs. 19).
So, how do we "Walk as children of light" (vs. 8)? The Apostle Paul
directs us, at least, to avoid obvious evil company, heed the Church's
teaching, seek God in regular devotion, and to practice moderation in
our daily living. After all, we are "...light in the Lord" (vs. 8).
Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of Thy servants as may be
most expedient for us, granting us in this world the knowledge of Thy
truth, and in the age to come, life eternal.
__,_._,___
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