If I'm not careful Ephesians 5 can very easily turn into a burdensome list of rules. Avoid sexual immorality (every hint of it), impurity and greed. There should be no obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking since these things are "out of place". I am reminded that it's shameful to even mention what the disobedient do in secret. I must not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. This is quite a list, and I've failed in every one of these at least a few times in my life.
Fortunately, there's a 'good news' flip side to this chapter. First, Paul presents positive alternatives to all the 'bad stuff' mentioned above. We can imitate God, living as children of light (which shows itself in goodness, righteousness and truth). We can live wisely, making music in our hearts to God, always giving thanks to God and submitting to others out of reverence for Christ. Perhaps most of all, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit. This 'good' way of living really is possible because of the reality that the Spirit dwells in those who are in Christ. We become members of God's family, His children even. And that's the part that ties all this together, as Paul reminds us in verse 1 that we are to imitate God not because He'll be mad at us if we don't. But rather because we are "dearly loved children".
Learning to live a wise, good, righteous, Spirit-filled life is a life-long journey. I won't do it perfectly. And when I fail, it's so good to remember that I am a dearly loved child of the King.
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