Ephesians 5:6-14 speaks to me in times like these.
The context is sexual darkness - using other human beings for our own pleasure with no value for them other than that pleasure we gain (however that happens).
The context is GREED as darkness, likened to impurity and idolatry.
We are warned not to be deceived with empty words by those who would reckon these as normal and acceptable things.
We are told not to associate with those who would embrace them as normative, acceptable values.
We are told to "take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."
I believe that the same advice applies to bigoted hatred. It is certainly darkness and not light.
In verses 15-21...
We are advised to "be careful how (we) live, not as unwise people, but as wise", to "not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Finally, the punch line -
"BE SUBJECT TO ONE ANOTHER OUT OF REVERENCE FOR CHRIST."
It is centered, yes, on Agape Love. It is all about the living of Agape Love.
If we are actively committed to the well-being of the other, even stranger and enemy and especially the most vulnerable, we will not use people for sexual pleasure, we will not value profit above people and we will not live out of hatred for others.
1. To expose the darkness, we must acknowledge what is darkness.
We cannot stand by the burning cross that represents a fearful hatred, shrouded in a false
white "supremacy" and talk about the light of Christ. In that we have lost the Christ.
We must see the bigotry that many embrace as normative behavior and system of belief
for what it is - an irrational, unreasoned, unloving reaction out of fear to the unknown.
We must see that the fear is used to manipulate people to hate each other for the sake of
some who want to have or keep power and wealth for themselves. We must see that
xenophobia, homophobia, racism, classism and religious intolerance are darkness and not
light, along with nationalism and ethnocentrism, no matter how "positively" they may be
packaged.
2. To expose the darkness, we must stand in the light and not in the darkness.
We cannot associate with those who stand in the darkness as normative behavior and values,
for that gives them more credibility than they should have and our compliance is seen as
agreement and we then become a part of spreading the darkness.
We must be different, think differently, act differently, speak differently, walk differently.
We must not acquiesce for the sake of personal relationships or because it is convenient in the
moment or to preserve our own comfort in the moment, or for personal gain. Standing
in the darkness does not eliminate the darkness. It gives credence to the darkness.
3. To expose the darkness, we must address it.
To call evil goodness is one thing. To see evil and not call it out is another. And it is the
same. Silence is compliance, and lends itself to the promulgation of evil. If I see evil,
acknowledge it as evil, stand against the evil but do not speak or write or stand against it
publicly, I am compliant with evil and have contributed therefore to the darkness. To
eliminate the darkness, we shed light on the darkness, expose it for what it is and replace
it with light.
Charlottesville.
NFL Protests.
Deportations.
Taking away rights of women.
Taking away workers' rights and benefits.
Helping the wealthy while hurting the poor and taking from the elderly.
Taking away healthcare from people who need it.
Eliminating Civil Rights.
Calling the truth lies and lies the truth.
Normalizing Hatred, Intolerance, Greed, lust for Power and Status as good values.
Those things presented in this climate as light are most often darkness.
Do you acknowledge the darkness for what it is?
Do you stand in the light, against the darkness?
Do you address it with your words and actions?
We are subject to one another out of reverence for Christ, who commands us to live Agape Love.
Are you a part of the darkness or a part of the light?
Pastor Jamie
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