Summary
Having written to the Ephesians about embodying JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. More Christ and being imitators of God who reflect the light of the gospel, the apostleDerived from a Greek word meaning "one who is sent," an apostle is a person who embraces and advocates another person's idea or beliefs. At the beginning of his ministry Jesus called twelve apostles to follow and serve him. Paul became an apostle of Jesus... More PaulThe Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was the author of several New Testament letters and the founder of many Christian communities. More exhorts believers to live wisely in a world of evil and wickedness (5:15-16). Instead of a transformation of lives, the church and the world in which it is to function has fallen victim to spiritual sickness symbolized by membership decline.
Analysis
The question embedded in these few verses revolves around apathy when it comes to living a genuine Christian life. Instead of living wisely as the heading of the passage says, Christians are choosing to live without wisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, "The fear of the... More. With all the advantages we have and numerous opportunities to revive and preach the gospel, clergy leaders and followers are spending time in conflict over doctrines, forms of worship, and the need for power and control. Jesus teaches disciples that the kingdom of GodThe kingdom (reign) of God is a central theme of Jesus' teaching and parables. According to Jesus this reign of God is a present reality and at the same time is yet to come. When Christians pray the Lord's Prayer, they ask that God's kingdom... More is about servanthood, but tragically, no one in today’s world wants to be a follower, let alone a servant. What should be common sense to all believers is no longer seen as such; many if not all who claim to be Christians are living as worldly people. Accommodations to luxuries of the world have become contrary to Christian life. The sins of assimilation, complacency, and accommodation have taken over many Christian hearts, minds, and souls. Times of church decline in terms of members should be moments of opportunity to preach the gospel and evangelize the unchurched people. As Paul teaches, Christians must discern the times and pray to understand God’s mission in all situations. These situations may be characterized by wars, diseases, and natural disasters. Instead of perceiving seasons of trial and persecution as signs of hopelessness, we should see them as opportunities to discern God’s call in our lives (5:17).
Wars, evil, drunkenness, prostitution, and rebellion against God should be seen as a manifestation of the devil’s work in the world, and preachers, evangelists, and proclaimers of the gospel must take a bold stand to remind people that they are lost, and they need salvationSalvation can mean saved from something (deliverance) or for something (redemption). Paul preached that salvation comes through the death of Christ on the cross which redeemed sinners from death and for a grace-filled life. More. When living wildly becomes the norm for Christians and the people around them, then faithful believers who reflect the light of God should persuade people to return to God. Gospel preaching and ministry are a result of members and leaders calling on the power of the HolyHoly is a term that originally meant set apart for the worship or service of God. While the term may refer to people, objects, time, or places, holiness in Judaism and Christianity primarily denotes the realm of the divine More Spirit. Mentioning and teaching of the Holy Spirit has been long lost, if not forgotten, in the 21st century. This was not the case in Paul’s time because, in this part of the letter, Ephesians were called to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Simply put, the Holy Spirit is key to church growth and revival (5:18). It is fitting to ask ourselves the following: Where is the Holy Spirit in the church today? When people are baptized, do they receive the power of the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit who encountered Paul on the road to Damascus is still present in today’s world, but believers have no desire to be filled by the Holy Spirit. In Paul’s work and ministry, it is ironic that he does not focus much on his university education, nor does he talk about his most famous educator, GamalielFamous rabbi who taught Paul. More. Instead, Paul talked deeply about his encounter with Jesus on the way to Damascus, his personal experience. The fact that Paul brings up the Holy Spirit in verses 18-19 signals to us that the Ephesian Christians had also encountered Jesus Christ. Personal testimonies and experiences with Jesus Christ of Nazareth who has been encountered all over the world are a crucial component and effective means of building the church. With the Holy Spirit leading and influencing believers, living wisely in a dark, wicked world becomes easier.
The Holy Spirit was and is still the promise of Jesus Christ. John reminds us of this, “And when he comes, he will convict the world of sin and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin because they do not believe in me: Of righteousness because I go to my father and you see me no more; Of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” (John 16:8-11). In Paul’s theology, pastors and lay members do not convert people to come to church, but all we do is proclaim the Word of God. And, indeed, it is the Holy Spirit alone who leads people to repentance and summons them into a fellowship of believers. In many ways, we are told that the Holy Spirit does various things, such as teaching, convicting, condemning, counseling, and cleansing. The apostle Paul mentions instruments of music and rhythms, meaning cultures of the world can use their familiar instruments as avenues to usher in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. This is particularly true of the Global South nations where drums, rattles, dance, and ululations are part of a worship service as they inspire people to speak in tongues, prophecyProphecy is the gift, inspired by God, of speaking and interpreting the divine will. Prophets such as Amos, Isaiah, and Ezekiel spoke words of judgment and comfort to the people of Israel on behalf of God. More, and heal the sick. In the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit, when present among people, makes them sing praises expressed in psalms, hymns, choruses, and spiritual songs.
While musical instruments have been critiqued, especially during the missionization of the Global South nations, we must understand that God does not condemn these instruments, especially if they are employed in the worship and thanksgiving of God. The content and words, as well as the spirituality of instruments, are what God looks for in our use of traditional and national instruments. The work of the Holy Spirit in the entire Bible is to bring glory, respect, and honor to God. I add one crucial element of tithings and offerings; these are signs that believers are filled with the Holy Spirit. With every blessingBlessing is the asking for or the giving of God's favor. Isaac was tricked into blessing Jacob instead of his firstborn Esau. At the Last Supper Jesus offered a blessing over bread and wine. To be blessed is to be favored by God. More poured out to believers, the response is one of thanksgiving, praise, and honor of God (5:20).
However, we do not only praise God when blessings are being given but in whatever situation, as Paul teaches the church then and now, that we give thanks to God’s love, graceGrace is the unmerited gift of God's love and acceptance. In Martin Luther's favorite expression from the Apostle Paul, we are saved by grace through faith, which means that God showers grace upon us even though we do not deserve it. More, and mercyMercy is a term used to describe leniency or compassion. God's mercy is frequently referred to or invoked in both the Old and New Testaments. More from which we receive our salvation and consequently the gift of the Holy Spirit. There is power in gospel music and when combined with great prayer, desired manifestations of God will be experienced by worshippers. The exhortation to live wisely is meant to encourage the Ephesian Christians to grasp the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in their daily walk with God, Jesus Christ, and other fellow believers (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Living under the Holy Spirit leads to wise living, and consequently, it fosters responsible Christian life. Worship is done in submission, reverence, and obedience to God and Jesus Christ always anchors believers’ relationships with others, and teaches Christians to carry out the responsibilities of householdA household is a living unit comprised of all the persons who live in one house. A household would embrace all the members of a family, including servants and slaves. In the book of Acts, stories are told of various persons and their households, like... More ministries with children and spouses. The Holy Spirit-led life is the hallmark of every Christian home and as Paul continues to teach about marriage, the Holy Spirit teaches spouses to view their marriages as complementary, leading to honor, respect, and dignity of all household members (5:21).
