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56 THE CONVENTION TEACHER Lesson XI. March 14, 1948 THE WORTH OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER (TEMPERANCE LESSON) SENIOR TOPIC: THE DIGNITY OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER Ephesians 5:6-21. [[line]] AUTHORIZED VERSION 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light; 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake now that sleep is, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give the light. 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. [[line]] REVISED VERSION 6 Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them; 8 for you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, 10 proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord: 11 and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; 12 for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of. 13 But all things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light: for everything that is made manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake, now that sleep is, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee. 15 Look therefore carefully how he walked, not as unwise, but as wise; 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk and with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; 19 speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ. [[line]] MOTTO TEXT – I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 [[line]] LESSON SETTING Time: A. D. 64 Place: Rome LESSON OUTLINE 1. Disobedience Brings Divine Wraths (VV. 6-7.) II. Christians Are Guided by Divine Light. (VV. 8-13.) III. Christians Learning the Will of God. (VV. 14-21.) DAILY HOME READING March 8 – March 14 M. A Clean Body. I Corinthians 6:12-20. T. Self Mastery. I Corinthians 9:19-27. W. The Pitfall of Drink. Proverbs 23:29-35. T. Controlled Temper. Matthew 5:21-26. F. Christian Character. Titus 2:1-8. S. The Discipline of Humility. John 13:5-15. S. Christian Conduct. I Peter 4:1-5. INTRODUCTION Christians should establish the worth of Christian character. To do this the Apostle tells us that we should imitate the Heavenly Father and walk in love after the conduct an example of the Christ. They should avoid all uncleanliness, impurity, covetousness and false jestings and idolatries. Because of these things will keep us from entering into the Kingdom of God. Earlier in their career, the Ephesian believers were in darkness, but having accepted the new light from God they are exhorted to walk in that light and bring forth the fruits of that spirit and to have no partnership with the workers of evil for their evil doings are brought to the notice and sight of all with whom they come into contact. This darkness seemed to have brought sleep to the eyes of the Ephesians and caused much drowsiness therefore the Apostle urges them to [[end page]] [[start page]] THE CONVENTION TEACHER 57 awaken and put off and take a new start by walking carefully and guardedly to avoid danger, discern enemies before they come too nigh and secure a man's interest by every possible and lawful means. EXPOSITION I. DISOBEDIENCE BRINGS DIVINE WRATHS. (VV. 6-7) (6) Let no man deceive you with vain words, but because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. In view of the vices in the days of the Church at Ephesus, Paul enjoins them to let no man deceive them – Suffer no man to persuade you that immoral ovations are wholesome and salutary, or that covetousness and idolatry are acceptable to God. Let not such be even considered, let alone placed in your system. They are utterly improper in themselves and highly unbecoming in those who profess Christianity. Do not accept any idea that these regular sayings and doings are innocent; or that they are all frailties of human nature; they are all sins and abominations in the sight of God and those who practice them are children of disobedience; and on account of such practices the wrath of God – Divine punishment – must come upon them. Notice these words that do not contain truth especially as they carry the idea of lessened guilt. Watch those who would excuse themselves but in all ages attempts have been made to extenuate them. Covetousness is hardly considered a sin, even among Christians but be Apostle condemns it more strongly than the other vices, which the heathen tolerated. Paul says that the sins of the disobedient shall be punished as well as the unbelievers. To be deceived by empty words about the sins of uncleanness is to have the visitation of God's wrath. (7) Be not ye therefore partakers with them. Do not act as your fellow citizens do nor suffer their ideas, with their vain words, with empty and illusive doctrines, lead you astray from the truth. That there was much need for such distinctions and cautions to the people of Ephesus was easily seen and known. It appears that these people were addicted to luxury and effeminacy. It is said that the famous Aspasia, who was herself of the socratic sect brought a vast number of beautiful women into Greece and by this means filled the country with prostitutes. He observes that the Ephesians had dedicated Temples to the prostitute Venus. In reading the literature one learns of the most abominable practices among the Greeks and the high estimation in which public prostitutes were held. The greatest and the wisest philosophers among the Greeks supported the system by their authority an example. Is it not in reference to their teachings and laws that the apostle says: Let no man deceive you with vain words. II. CHRISTIANS ARE GUIDED BY DIVINE LIGHT. (VV. 8-13.) For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light; While you lived in darkness you lived in these wilful crimes. But now are ye light in the Lord. When you were in darkness ye serve divers lusts and pleasures, but now you have the light. – The Wisdom and teaching of God, which came from God: therefore walk as children of light. Let the world see that ye are not slaves to the flesh, but free, willing, rational servants of the Most High God; not brutish followers of evil gods. The Ephesians had once been in darkness itself through total ignorance of God and His will. If they were inwardly enlightened the Holy Spirit by whom the change has been wrought would lead them to be suitable as the fruit of the Spirit. (9) (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) The fruit of the Spirit consists in all kinds of goodness, mercy, equity, integrity, veracity, sincerity, and faithfulness as well as in uprightness in profess faith, fear and love of God. For to become partakers with those who indulge in these things would be a relapse and as we have the Divine light we bear beautiful fruits of righteousness. We exhibit goodness in the principle and in the disposition, Righteousness – The exercise of that goodness in the whole conduct of life; Truth – the director of that principle, and its exercise to the glorification of God and the good of mankind. (10) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. By walking in the light under the influence of the Divine Spirit, according to the dictates of the Gospel, you shall be able to try and bring to full proof, that by which God is best pleased. (11) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. We can neither be
