What is the real purpose of life? Well, in verses 3-4, Paul makes clear what it is not. The truly good life isn’t focused on sexual pleasure, on using other people to make ourselves feel good. It also doesn’t desire to have lots of material things. In fact, Paul goes so far as to say that a life focused on our own feelings and desires is a lot like walking around in the darkness – for such a life will inevitably be marked not only by confusion and frustration, but by shame. It is not just coincidental that so much of the self-focused life is lived after nightfall – those who use others for their own sexual pleasure, those who devote themselves to drink or drugs (v. 18), and those who covet the possessions of others to the point of stealing them don’t want anyone to know what they are doing (v. 12).

So, what is the alternative? Instead of walking in the darkness of self-focus, Paul urges us to walk in all that is good and right and true (v. 9), in the light of Christ. And that means that instead of trying to please ourselves, we should try to please the Lord (v. 10).

But what sort of life is pleasing to God? What does it mean to walk as children of light? Instead of coveting what other people have, we are thankful for what God has given us (vv. 4, 20). Instead of trying to cloud our minds with alcoholic spirits, we are filled with the Spirit of Christ (v. 18). Instead of frivolous talk or crude language, our mouths are filled with God’s praises (vv. 4, 19). And where it comes to our relationships with other people, which Paul will explain in more detail in the following passages, we submit to one another in humility, considering them as more important than ourselves.

And how do we know such a life is pleasing to God? Because walking in the light necessarily means living in reverence for Christ (v. 21), following His example in all things. And how does verse 2 say that Christ lived? He was no Romantic, determining truth according to what felt good to Him. Instead, He loved us by giving Himself up for us. He sacrificed Himself to God so that we might be saved not only from the consequences of our sin, but from the selfish darkness and isolation of sin itself. He died so that we might live in the light.

So, does it really make sense for those who trust in Jesus to keep walking around in the darkness when we can just flip the light switch? Does it really make sense for us to play dead when we have been given new life? Today, let’s pray that Christ would fill us with His Spirit so that we might live His life, resolving to follow Him not only in what we say and do, but in all that we desire.

Ephesians 5:1-21 (ESV)

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not become partners with them;
8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),
10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.