1 Thessalonians 5:5 (NIV) You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. The first part of 1 Thessalonians 5 sounds a lot like the first part of Ephesians 5.
Last Sunday in our continuing summer series from Ephesians 4-6, we moved into Ephesians 5, focusing on verses 1-6. God, through the inspired writings of the apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus, has commanded us to imitate Him (God) by walking in love as Christ did (5:1-2). We must give of ourselves fully to the Lord and to each other. But walking in love also means that among God’s people there must not be even a 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 (Ephesians 5:3-4). 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 (Ephesians 5:5). Ephesians 5:6-7 (NIV) 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.
This Sunday’s lesson will come from Ephesians 5:7-14 as we look at what it looks like to walk (or live) as children of light.