As we work our way through the practical instructions in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we come back to the paragraph we first mentioned when we were talking about purity a few weeks ago:

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5.3, 4, ESV)

An interesting list:

• Sexual immorality
• All impurity
• Covetousness
• Filthiness
• Foolish talk
• Crude joking

Some conservatives are death on immorality (so they say) but are we covetous? An idolator, it says in verse 5. Those on the verse 3 and 4 list “have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ…” This after chapter 3 which says the Gentiles have an inheritance.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Ephesians 5.6 – 11, ESV)

Walk as children of light and expose the works of darkness. There’s the answer to the cover-up temptation. We can’t cover it up. We must expose works of darkness: shine the light on it!

Speaking of light and darkness, that’s the sixth metaphor for our relationship with God so far in Ephesians. More about that tomorrow. Meanwhile, let’s live in the light!

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3.19 – 21, ESV)

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1.5 – 7, ESV)