A word fitly spoken is like APPLES OF GOLD in a setting of silver – Proverbs 25v11
As we continue our studies in the Book of Ephesians on practical Christian living, we come to chapter 5v1-7: “LIVE A LIFE OF LOVE”. English uses the same word love for different meanings unlike the Biblical Greek which is more precise. Love in Greek can be Eros from which we get erotica or sensual love, Philios which is brotherly love or affection and Agapao which is sacrificial love. The word translated here for love is Agapao for the very good reason that we are to live a life of sacrificial love and not just affection towards others. One of the deceptions of Satan is that love is all about Eros with some Phileos and no Agapao. But that is a lie because if we are not living a life of Agapao we negatively impact our spouses, family, friends and fellow Christians. A wise marriage officer once asked the groom to be why he wanted to get married and got the reply “To be happy”. The marriage officer said that he couldn’t marry them. The groom then asked him why and the answer was “when you say you want to make HER happy then I will marry you”.
Paul makes it quite clear in verse 2 that sexual immorality (there must not even be a hint of it) is opposite to love because an impure lifestyle results in hurt, sadness, anger and turmoil to the innocent. The minds and emotions of the guilty also become scarred and fellowship with the Lord is broken. Practically, we need to avoid situations where we are naturally vulnerable and temptation is easy and we need to choose our friends and places carefully – for it is easy to be pulled down and be part of the crowd and go with the flow. We live in a society where we are encouraged to freely express ourselves, but an uncontrolled tongue is condemned in verse 4. We cannot have Agapao love if what comes out of our mouths is destructive – and James in his epistle chapter 3 compares the tongue to a forest fire and full of deadly poison. Countless lives have been destroyed by the tongue so let us bring our tongues under control and let it rather be for encouragement and thanksgiving. In conclusion, Agapao love is not an option, but is mandatory for Bible-believing Christians. It may involve sacrificing my pride, my comfort, my rights and my popularity, but because it brings glory to God and joy to others it brings peace and contentment to us.
God Bless
Graeme Greenwood