Hindsight
The Olympics have
been great! I’ve enjoyed watching
swimming, track, tennis, volleyball, and diving. I think it’s a wonderful tradition to get all the countries
of the world together and compete against each other in a spirit of
friendship. The teams are still
distinct because each country represented dresses it’s athletes in uniforms
that distinctly point out who is on what team.
That’s what the
passage in Ephesians 5:1-14 is all about, behaving in a way in which you
proudly represent God’s team.
That’s always Paul’s highest principle.
Sometimes we read
passages like this and as we read we think, “I can’t be a Christian because
there have been times when I’ve failed to do what Paul says to do, I’ve sinned,
and therefore I’m an idolater (5:5)
and am not a Christian anymore!”
What Paul is actually
saying is, “The people of Ephesus who worship at the Temple of Artemis (Diana)
are idolater’s because they worship a false goddess, don’t be influenced to
behave like them, they’re on the wrong team.”
The influence of the
Roman Empire and the Temple of Artemis (Diana) was constantly and blatantly in
the face of these early Christians.
Look at these
contrasts:
Rome
said, “Mercy is weakness!” Paul
said, “Mercy is a virtue!”
Rome
said, “Conquer and take!” Paul
said, “Give to one another!”
Rome
said, “Sex is worship of gods!” Paul
said, “Sex is for marriage!”
Rome
said, “Enslave the world!” Paul
said, “All are free in Christ!”
Paul wants all followers of Christ to understand that they are saved
by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9.) The
pagan Roman Empire was all about power and indulgence. The Christian church according to Paul
was all about grace and love.
Once you’re on God’s
team, you’re on God’s team because Christ paid your enrollment fee!
Now that you’re on
the team there are 3 rules:
#1. Mimic the coach (5:1,)
#2. Develop character like the coach (5:8-9,)
#3. Influence others to leave their Roman
coach and join the new team and
coach (5:13-14.)
