Ephesians 5:3

“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.” (Ephesians 5:3 ESV). In the Topical Memory System from the Navigators, under the heading of purity in the Grow in Christlikeness section, we find the reference to this verse. The verse is found in the Walk in Love section in the ESV translation and begins the paragraph on what that walk looks like. In that walk we are to be imitators of God, as his beloved children, keeping ourselves pure.

Consider the three things listed in the verse; sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness, and think about our society today; it appears that even within the church this verse is being overlooked. If the Christian church were to live according to this verse it would stand out as being different from the culture in which we live. That difference would not go unnoticed would create a tension between them and us and we would then probably gain a better understanding of 2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV): “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

To set the standard even higher, extend your lifestyle to include the next verse: “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving” (Ephesians 5:4 ESV). As believers in Christ, we are children of light and the fruit of that light is found in all that is good and right and true (Ephesians 5:8 – 9). It appears that the church today needs more than their feet washed; it also needs to get serious about submission to the word of God.

Prayer

Father, the gap between the Biblical standard of conduct and how we live has grown so large it is difficult to see a difference between us and the world. The command to be holy as you are holy and to walk in righteousness has become a foreign concept today. Constantly there is pressure to share our faith, but how does an unclean believer share the gospel that is not being embraced? Father, maybe it is time we stop being politically correct and create some fear to work out our salvation through some solid Biblical teaching. For sure the love of many is growing cold when it comes to knowledge of the word and obedience to it. Father, how much longer will you withhold judgement from us? Please have mercy on us.