Do Not Partake in Darkness

 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord (Eph 5:5-10 NAS95).

Paul warns us not to be deceived. Worldly individuals bound up in sin want to bring you down to their level. Do you remember how Paul described their behavior in the Book of Romans? For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. (Rom 1:18, 32 NAS95)

Evil-doers have a two-pronged approach to life. First, they seek to deceive believers because they must suppress the truth. The world hates truth and righteousness because they expose its unrighteousness. Confronted by the Word or a righteous lifestyle, they will either obscure the truth or attack the truth bearer. Sometimes this attack is obvious and vicious. Sometimes it comes in the form of “You surely will not die!” (Gen 3:4b). Either way, the goal is to cause you to conform to their lifestyle.

That goal is the second prong. To use the modern vernacular, misery loves company. The lost will often put on a facade to make believers feel safe. You might call these unbelievers pseudo-Christians. They even infiltrate the church with some regularity and introduce false teachings. Jude warned of such individuals who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (Jude 4).

Therefore, heed Paul’s warning and do not be deceived. They have no part in the Kingdom of God.  You were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light. Amen.