February 28, 2022 – Monday
Ephesians 5:11-14 NIV
11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Comment.
Friday we looked at verses 8-10 and today we continue looking at the thoughts introduced there. It is appropriate we begin today with Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them or as it says in the KJV And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. I truly like the combination of both for Have nothing to do with and have no fellowship with fruitless deeds or unfruitful works of darkness. Both make it clear we are steer clear of the deeds or works of darkness and in describing them, tells us why. Deeds or works of darkness are fruitless or unfruitful. Such deeds or works result in any fruit of goodness, but instead iniquity only produces more iniquity.
Then we have the latter part of verse 11, expose them NIV or reprove them KJV. We need to be careful in both as it is not our responsibility to run around exposing or reproving those involved in sin. However, it is our responsibility to call sin what it is, sin. This is especially true for those in our lives as the Greek word (Strong’s 1651) elegchó has a double meaning or function, that is to convince. At times all it takes it to show the deeds or works for what they really are and the consequences, usually terrible, that all too often follow them. Verse 12 shows we have no need to go into any detail of the actual things done in secret for that would be disgraceful, It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
Now we come to verse 13, the core of the verses for today, But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. Here the light is God’s light, and it inevitably will show the true nature of everyone’s deeds or works. There is no hiding from God’s light and what it will illuminate. But what to make of and everything that is illuminated becomes a light? The everything is everyone and here the light of God not only exposes the sins of unbelievers but also makes it possible for them to become children light as in verse eight, For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. And if the disobedient in verse 12 happen to be believers, then we have here a call to return to the faith via discipleship so that once again they may produce fruit of the light (v9) with the help of the Holy Spirit.
This leads us to our final verse for today, This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” The quote given if not to be found elsewhere in scripture, but seems to be a common, well-known phrase of the time, possibly from a hymn. Ellicott’s Commentary says, we may be rightly said to “awake” out of lethargy and carelessness, and to “arise” out of the deadness of sin. Once that is accomplished Christ will indeed light the way when His light shines on you.
Bottom Line: Our lives should be in contrast to those whose lives are full of deeds or works of darkness. The contrast alone will be a reproof to them. And if we as believers should find ourselves slumbering, we need to arise out of the deadness of sin in our lives. How else are our lives to a contrast to lives of sin and iniquity?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help me to remain awake always and not slumber my way into sin. Let me continue to produce fruit of the light via the Holy Spirit the rest of my days. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek