Jonathan Ummel

Scripture Texts: Ephesians 6:10-15

INTRO: Truth as Sincerity, Righteousness as Holy Living

What does Paul mean by these words, “Truth and Righteousness”?

These are massive words. Theologically rich, and all throughout the scriptures, truth and righteousness are used in so many different contexts and can take on so many different meanings.

The context here is protection from the devil, as children of God. We have already been transferred into the kingdom of light, chosen by God before all eternity. Paul is calling us as Christians to the battle of sanctification.
Ephesians 5.

o “For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light (very closely related to truth) in the Lord; walk as children of Light, for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth.”
– Paul speaks of truth and righteousness as a fruit of Light. Now that we are light, we are to walk accordingly. The effects of the capital T truth, producing little truth, or sincerity in our lives. The effects of God’s justifying righteousness, producing holiness in our lives.

– I want to focus on truth and righteousness as the fruit of Light rather than the objective universal, Word of God and our justification. That is, the effects or fruit of Christ’s righteousness in our lives. Yet we must remember, we are NOT contrasting Christ’s righteousness to our own righteousness. We are emphasizing the
fruit of the capital L, Light.

o Romans 13. “Therefore, let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light…. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” Romans 13:12,14

– Remember, the fruit of light is goodness, righteousness, and truth. And Paul uses this interchangeably with putting on Christ. The armor of Light, the Armor of God, putting on Jesus Christ. These all work together in our salvation.

Scripture Texts: Ephesians 6:10-12

Ephesians can be broken into two main sections. What God did for us, and how we should respond. Paul tells the gospel story of how God chose us before the foundation of the world, sent Jesus to conquer sin, save us, and bring us into his covenant, into his family. Listen to the pinnacle of the first section, reminding the Ephesians of God’s grace to gentiles, bringing them into the Abrahamic covenant through Jesus’ death.

• “For you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God”. Ch 2:19

he second half of the book is a long “Therefore”. Since Christ saved us, and brought us into his family, how should we respond? And the beginning of Chapter 4 tells us:

• “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, and patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.” (Ch 4:1-2)

Because of what Christ has already done, we should live in holiness, and purity. Loving those around us, maturing in faith, knowing Christ’s love. And being spiritually strong!

 

And this brings us to our passage today. The last bit of the “THEREFORE”. Where Paul exhorts the Ephesians to be on guard against the devil, turning to God for strength.

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