NEVER GOING BACK
Old habits: a previous lifestyle can be enticing, especially when you see your old friend and even family appearing to have a good time without you. You forget what you hated and the bad feeling that came with it, and you remember only the good feeling you may have had. So, how do we ensure we never return to the way we used to be?
We are continuing our study of the Book of Ephesians. This week we are studying Ephesians 5. Paul moves from the theme of unity and moves toward reminding the new converts of what it was like before they came to Christ and their life now that they have come to Christ. He warns us never to go back to the way we used to be, and he tells us how to keep that from happening.
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Let Us Inviting God’s Presence:
God Most High, I don’t want to go ever back. Keep us steadfast, living a life in harmony with your divine will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
With social media, it could be enticing to want to experience the life you see posted on your Facebook page, Instagram, ticktock, or whatever. How do we avoid going back?
We must decide that we do not like the way we used to be and refuse to go back. We must reach a point where we realize that our old habits and patterns of behavior were bad. And that life does not align with our goals, moral values, and, most important, the will of God for us.
This is the point Paul is making In Ephesians 5:1–20.
Paul compares the lifestyle of the Ephesians before they became believers. Their lifestyle before Christ is much like how our life may have been before Christ. Paul talks about the things that non-Christians think are important in life.
For instance, in Ephesians 5:4, he points out that they should no longer find pleasure in dirty jokes and funny stories that make fun of other people.
4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:4)
He also warns them against participating in drunkenness in Ephesians 5:18.
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18)
Moreover, in Ephesians 5:3 and 5, Paul warns against sexual immorality and other immoral acts not fitting in the sight of God.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Ephesians 5:3, 5)
Paul’s point is that for those who follow Christ, their lifestyles are different. Instead of desiring partying and drunkenness, he expresses in Ephesians 1:9 that Christians find pleasure in what is good.
9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) (Ephesians 5:9).
Therefore, to avoid going back to the way they used to be, Paul urges the Ephesians who have accepted Christ to be wise and use the time they have remaining wisely.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15–17, ESV).
How, then, do we walk wisely and avoid going back to our old ways? Continue to Part 2: “Instead Let There Be Thanksgiving”
Ephesians
(Lesson 9)
Living Wisely
Part 2: “Instead Let There Be Thanksgiving”
To avoid going back to their old way of life, Paul expresses in Ephesians 5:1 and 2 that believers should try to live as Jesus lived; they should imitate Christ.
1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (Ephesians 5:1-2) (Split)
In Ephesians 5, 8, and 15, Paul tells the believers in Ephesus how to walk.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, (Ephesians 5:8, 15).
The foolish are selfish; they walk in darkness and are full of themselves. In contrast, as believers, we are admonished to put aside selfishness.
As a matter of fact, Paul in Ephesians 5:1 and 2 talks about four things regarding Jesus’ unselfish life and why he died for us even when we were still in our trespasses and sins:
- Jesus died for us because He loves us, and God the Father loves us
- Jesus took our punishment. He is our Substitute. He took our place on the cross. His act was not passive, for he gave himself for us.
- Using the imagery of the Old Testament sanctuary service, Paul points out that Jesus’ death is a sacrifice, an offering He made to God for us.
- God accepts Jesus’ death, which is the same as a sweet-smelling offering to Him. (Ephesians 5:2; compare Exodus 29:18; Leviticus 2:9; Philippians 4:18).
Some of the new believers in Ephesus were in danger of going back to their old behavior. They were in danger of going back to the way they used to be. They were in danger of going back to their bad behavior and living an immoral life of corruption and sin, thereby destroying the good work they were doing for God.
Paul in Ephesians 5:3-5 makes a strong appeal to the new believers not to fall back into their old way of living, saying:
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Ephesians 5:3-5)
Paul makes a similar appeal in the following scriptures:
1 Corinthians 5:1–11, 1 Corinthians 6:12–20, and 2 Corinthians 12:21.
The Greco-Roman lifestyle of the first century was filled with immoral corruption, sex sins, and sin in general. Paul also describes them in the following scriptures, Read: 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:17–19; and Colossians 3:5
You see, the wealthy often gave feasts and parties that featured the behaviors Paul described in Ephesians 5:3–14. Paul warned them about these sins. These sins included getting drunk, sexual chat, sexual entertainment, immoral acts, and other sins.
At the same time, many Roman citizens didn’t like or accept these evil behaviors. As a matter of fact, the Romans even made vice-or-virtue lists; these were lists of good behaviors and bad behaviors that they tried to follow.
You can read more about them in Ephesians 5:21–Ephesians 6:9, and Colossians 3:18–Colossians 4:1.
Therefore, Paul wanted the believers to avoid the evil behavior of the non-believers. Paul also wanted the believers to be careful and not revert to their old way of living. If they did not, then the non-believers would see how they have lived in contrast to their new lives and learn to respect them and their faith.
How applicable is the condition of the Greco-Roman society to our world today? We do not want to go back. How do we avoid falling back into our old way of living? Continue to Part 3: Walking as Children of Light
Ephesians (Lesson 9)
Living Wisely
Part 3: Walking as Children of Light
Paul writes in Ephesians 5:6,
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things, the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:6).
In the verse before Ephesians 5:6, Ephesians 5:5, Paul warns about what happens to those who practice sin without feeling ashamed or sorry for the wrong things they do:
He identifies them as sexually immoral, impure, or covetous. He points outs that these individuals are not a part of God’s kingdom. Paul is straightforward about this. It lets us know that those striving to be a part of God’s kingdom shouldn’t behave like those who aren’t part of His kingdom.
Paul’s more profound concern is that the new believer will be deceived into thinking that those “empty words” or sexually explicit language could lead believers to think sexual sins are okay (Ephesians 5:6).
But, if we believe that sexual sins are okay, then we are in danger of God’s end-time judgment, “the wrath of God,” that “comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:6 ESV).
Yes, God’s anger is a complex idea for us to comprehend. However, we must remember that God’s anger isn’t the same as human anger. As humans, our anger comes from our feelings and emotions.
Our anger isn’t always fair and just. In contrast, God’s anger isn’t about feelings or emotions; it is his just response; His anger comes from His love for us and righteousness. It is the fair response of a long-suffering and righteous God against those who are stubborn and committed to evil. Hence, God’s anger is always fair and just.
Because God is fair, just, and loving, before he sends punishment, He sends many warnings.
Read his warnings found in Revelation 6:12–17, Revelation 16:1–16, and Revelation 19:11–16. God’s warnings of his coming judgments are acts of His grace.
Because we, according to Ephesians 2:3, are by nature children of wrath and subject to His judgments, we should have already suffered God’s anger because we are sinners (Ephesians 2:3).
Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us it is because of God’s mercy.
22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy (His) faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
As Christian believers, we are not to join with sinners in sinning. Reread Ephesians 5:7–10. In it, Paul tells us we belong to God (Ephesians 5:8). Therefore, our behavior should show that we are God’s. It should be our aim to learn about the things that please Him.
In contrast, unbelievers are in the habit of trying to please their own selfish desires. They are in a continuous mode of wanting more.
This is not God’s plan for His children. We must not live to please ourselves. We must live to please God. Therefore, our lives should show others how much Jesus loves us and how much we love Him. How do we do this? How do we avoid turning back? Watch Part 4: Awake, O Sleeper!
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Hebron Seventh-day Adventist Church
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Houston, TX 77088
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