Reasons to be DIFFERENT.

Text: Ephesians 5:3-8 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 

One of the most notable differences between how the first Christians lived, and how the pagans lived, was in the area of sexual ethics. The Ephesians were Greeks and sexual immorality was widely regarded in this ‘civilisation’ as being no big deal. It was just part of life.  That depraved approach to public and personal morality in Greek society was bound up with religious idolatry.  Greek society was sexualised to such an extent that the most basic moral principles – love of family, marital faithfulness, chastity before marriage, and so on were an entirely alien concept. 

In our highly sexualised society, we probably need this same stern lesson on sexual and moral ethics. In this 21^st Century, Soap operas and TV programmes are by and large based on sexual activity. Libraries have ‘drag Queen Story Hour.’ The School curriculum teaches teens that you can have unrestrained sex and if pregnancy occurs, then the answer is Abortion. The genocide of the unborn continues week in and week out and to their shame, most churches do and say nothing.  Pornography is now easily available on the internet – the vilest and most abominable images of gross indecency are only seconds away.  Pedophilia is widespread, – far more than you think.  I’m sure that you could add many more examples of modern depravity to that list. Paul’s stern warning about morality to the 1^st century Christians is just as relevant and necessary today.

In Ephesus, the new ‘saints’ are living out their faith, practising their Christianity in a rotten depraved pagan culture. They are to be different, – their lifestyle is not to be like the lifestyles of the pagan world, and while they (and we) are not by any means morally perfect as saints, living for Christ that will mean sexual restraint, and moral uprightness in both word and deed. And the Apostle gives them (and us) in the text, a list of incentives for why their lifestyle should be the opposite to the sexual impurity of the pagan world around them. There are four, and the first one is basic…

1 What is Normal in Pagan Society is Not Appropriate for a Christian Believer. V4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. The AV phrase ‘not convenient’ simply means ‘not fitting.’ AMP. Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] joking, because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; The conversation of the pagan world is littered with blasphemy, with sexual references, with gossip. But in Ephesus, (and here) Christians don’t tell dirty jokes. Christians do not look at dirty pictures. Christians do not engage in obscene conversations. Or at least they shouldn’t. Why – because it is simply inappropriate to do so.  1 Corinthians 6:20 Paul gives us our reason in the same verse.  We are to live lives of gratitude to Christ for his redeeming love, and our conversations and attitudes should reflect that. We are to season what we say with thanksgiving. ‘but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God].’ 

2 Behaving Like Pagans Will Disqualify You from Your Heavenly Reward. V5 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. By way of commentary, the AMP adds the phrase, [for such a person places a higher value on something other than God]. That’s a challenge. What’s more important to you? Fitting in with the present age, being part of a group of worldly friends, not looking out of place at parties, being part of the crowd, – or your eternal reward in heaven? If you are more interested in being accepted in the company of the pagan world, that you are in obeying God, and developing Christlikeness in your own life, – then you have forfeited any future reward in heaven. Some say, “Life is short. Better enjoy it.” It is better to say “Eternity is long. Better prepare for it.”  “Prepare to meet thy God…” Amos 4:12

3 Living a Pagan Way of Life Shows that You Have Been Deceived. V6 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words:

AMP: Let no one deceive you with empty arguments [that encourage you to sin]. The Greek word for ‘deceive’ here is ἀπατάω (apataō) – it means to SEDUCE. There are a lot of seductive voices trying to make you think that sinful pleasure is acceptable.  Voices all coming at you telling you that immorality is fine, just part of life, go on, enjoy life while you can. It is all vanity, it is all seduction, it is all deception, for “the wages of sin is death!” Romans 6:23. Don’t be deceived into thinking that you can live a carnal, pagan lifestyle, and at the same time live a life that is pleasing to God.

4 When Christians Live Worldly Lifestyles – It Makes God Angry. 6 for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Here we see this motif of Christians being the ‘children of God’ used again. We have already been told that we are ‘well beloved children’ who are deeply loved by our heavenly Father, – children who are to imitate their father’s ways and to be like him, as far as our human capacity allows. Children who are to be holy, as he is holy, to be separate from the world, to be different from the children of the world. We are well-beloved children, but we are not spoilt children! We must expect that when we become ‘the children of disobedience’ – we are still his children, but we will make our Father angry, and we will be disciplined.  Proverbs 3:11-12  

So, Christians are to be different. That’s the great thesis of Paul’s response to God’s saving work. We are to act and speak differently from others. In passing, it’s interesting that in verse 4 Paul includes ‘silly talk’ in his descriptions of how the pagans in Ephesus spoke. Sometimes just talking silly nonsense is imitating the conversations of this world. READ Matthew 12:36-37  The great challenge of our day, as it was in Paul’s day, is to be different in sexual ethics, to have a different perspective on human relationships, and on human sexuality, and to live in a Godly manner, a lifestyle that pleases the Lord.

Bob McEvoy April 2024