understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15–17, ESV).
Not long ago a crystal jug was placed on auction in the United Kingdom. The auctioneers described it as a “nineteenth-century French, claret jug,” estimating its worth at US$200. Two perceptive bidders recognized the jug as an extremely rare, Islamic ewer. Its true, appraised worth? £5 million (about US$6.5 million). What allowed that bidder to walk away with such a bargain? The bidder knew something that the auctioneer did not: the true value of the jug.
In Ephesians 5:1–20, Paul contrasts what pagans and believers valued. Pagans valued a racy story (Ephesians 5:4), a drunken party (Ephesians 5:18), and debauched sex (Ephesians 5:3, 5) as the great treasures of life. Believers, though, know an ultimate day of appraisal is coming, when the true value of all things will become apparent (Ephesians 5:5, 6). Instead of placing their bid on partying and drunkenness, they treasure, among other things, “all that is good and right and true” (Ephesians 5:9, ESV) in Christ. Paul, thus, urges them to snap up the bargains found in Christ as they live (as we all do) on the threshold of eternity (Ephesians 5:15–17).
Thought question: Confronted today with a viral culture that preaches its values 24/7/365 through a withering array of media, how can believers adopt Paul’s high standards?
Living Wisely (Qtr 3 - Week 9: 26 August) Part1
Living Wisely (Qtr 3 - Week 9: 26 August) Part2
Audio recordings are available 5-10 minutes after the show has aired.