November 26, 2012 Ephesians 5:3-7

Ephesians 5:3-7  ³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them.

The reading guide for today asks the question, "Why is it so important that as Christians we live above reproach? What is at risk when we act more like the world than like Christ?"

One of the most obvious answers is that those around us are influenced by our actions.  Hopefully those people in my orbit know I attend church and profess Christ as my savior.  So when I engage in activities listed in verses 3, 4 or 5, then several things happen.

1.  Others might use my actions to justify such behavior themselves.  "Well he goes to church and engages in (fill in the blank); so it must be okay for me to (fill in the blank).

2.  It can be the excuse for a person say "no" to Christ.  "If being a Christian means (fill in the blank), then I don't want any part of that.  They are just a bunch of hypocrites."

3.  Taking Christ out of the equation,  the actions/attitudes listed are just not the way people should behave.  Many, many atheists, Buddhists, Muslims and Mormons would all agree that the absence of the "sins" listed in verses 3, 4 and 5 are wrong.  (There might be debate on how to define the various items in the list.)

Another reason such actions/attitudes are so damaging to a Christian is that,  in addition to damaging one's witness, the vertical relationship with God is damaged also.  When sin is in a Christian's life, the God-connection is impaired.  Guilt.  Missed opportunities.  Joylessness.  Discipline.  These are all possible internal outcomes of a Christian who chooses verses 3, 4 and 5.

Horizontal witness and vertical relationship are both negatively affected by the lists in verses 3, 4 and 5.