The Thirty Sixth Sermon, the Fourth on the Fifth Chapter - Ephesians 5: 11-14

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.:" - Ephesians 5: 11-14

We have observed this morning that despite the many temptations in the world that may lead us away from serving God, we should not use them as excuses. Stumbling blocks have existed in the world throughout history, but the remedy is clear: God's children must remain devoted to Him and avoid corrupting themselves by associating with unbelievers, as God has called them to be distinct.

It is not sufficient for us to merely abstain from being drunkards, fornicators, thieves, or murderers. We must also avoid all forms of evil wherever they may be found. Indeed, we should always begin by examining ourselves and condemning the vices within us. Hypocrites often point out the faults in others while ignoring the great faults within themselves. To be true and fair judges, each of us should self-reflect and acknowledge our own shortcomings. We should genuinely detest the evil within ourselves. Moreover, we must demonstrate that we love God more than the world and refrain from maintaining friendships with the wicked by turning a blind eye to their faults and flattering them.

To address this, St. Paul reminds us of a third reason: we should reprove the works of darkness not only to demonstrate our zeal for honoring God but also to rescue foolish souls from the path of destruction and guide them toward salvation. These are the two main reasons for reproving evil. First, it should trouble us to witness God offended and people provoking His wrath by disrupting the order He has established. Seeing God's Word disregarded and His name trampled upon should grieve us deeply. Second, we have a duty to care for those redeemed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we witness souls heading towards damnation without acknowledging the tremendous cost of their redemption, it is a disregard for the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

St. Paul emphasises that as we separate ourselves from evil to avoid becoming companions of those who despise God, we should actively demonstrate our disapproval of their actions. This may lead them to feel ashamed of their wickedness and prompt them to repent. Even if we manage to rescue a single soul from the path of destruction, it will be a significant accomplishment.

In a similar vein, St. James encourages us to reprove evil, highlighting that by doing so, we may save a soul from being lost. Therefore, it is important for us to show our zeal for honouring God and preserving the integrity of His Word. If we do not speak out against those who blaspheme His majesty and challenge His righteousness, it may be considered negligence on our part. Just as a loyal subject would defend their prince and a faithful child would defend their father's honour, we should uphold God's honour and righteousness. Although we are but humble inhabitants of the earth, God has graciously adopted us as His children. Therefore, if wicked individuals attempt to tarnish His majesty and undermine His authority while we remain silent, it is an affront that should not be tolerated.

Therefore, let us pay close attention to what he has told us here. This vice has prevailed throughout history, where people are more or less inclined to flattery and, consequently, find it easier to tolerate the faults of others. This tolerance is not in the sense of having compassion for the weak and being patient with them, as we have seen so far. Instead, it is the opposite; it entails being content with perpetuating evil and willingly entering into alliances to avoid scrutiny of our vices. We allow each person to claim a certain liberty for themselves. This prevailing attitude is why there is disorder in the world today.

Moreover, we are often reluctant to incur anyone's displeasure, to the extent that we betray God and our fellow beings, body and soul, to avoid exercising the liberty that God's Spirit grants us. When we witness a wretched person indulging in folly, we say, "Let them follow their own path; it does not concern us." Similarly, when we see others perverting the course of justice and corrupting society, we passively overlook it, thinking, "I do not want to incur the wrath of someone in authority. Let others lead the way, and I will follow suit. If consequences arise, I will plead ignorance." Meanwhile, we beseech God's mercy, while remaining idle. We avoid putting ourselves at risk for any matter.

This is how our vices are tolerated in the present day. However, God will not forfeit His right. His verdict will remain inviolable. Consequently, we may be condemned as accomplices of the wicked if we behave like blind and deaf animals, failing to restrain wickedness by standing up against it to the best of our ability. If we allow God's honour to be desecrated and all sense of decency to be discarded without protest, we will be held accountable.

We should, therefore, pay close attention to this warning about rebuking evil. We must make every effort to demonstrate our commitment and be diligent in our ability to address it. If each individual followed this approach, the world would surely be a better place. The reason why God's name is so frequently blasphemed is that blasphemies are concealed, and people would rather soil themselves with the wickedness of others than risk disapproval or dislike. The same applies to drunkenness, theft, extortion, and other immoral activities. If we possessed the zeal commanded by St. Paul, we would be much more resolute in reproving those who engage in such behaviours.

Conversely, if we allow good people to be trodden upon and mistreated, we reveal a lack of love and compassion among us. We ought to extend our helping hand to them.

Again, souls are heading towards destruction, and we take no action, even though God has bestowed upon us the grace to stand in His place, to save that which was on the path to being lost and damned. Now, St. Paul, having addressed this issue, aims to reinforce the same doctrine and ignite the sluggishness within us. He explains that the reason why unbelievers indulge in such heinous acts, acts they would be ashamed even to speak of, is because they believe they can remain hidden from human sight. Why? Because they lack the fear of God, and hence, they consider themselves well-concealed.

For instance, when a thief perceives that no one is around, he ransacks cupboards, breaks open doors, steals whatever he can, all because he does not anticipate being caught and judged by anyone. He deludes himself into thinking he has escaped without a trace. Similarly, a robber or a murderer who enters some concealed spot imagines himself to be well-hidden. When he encounters a stray individual, he pounces upon him, robs him, injures him, and even goes so far as to slit his throat if he cannot overpower him by other means. And all this while, he believes he has escaped undetected, for no one has witnessed his actions. This pattern extends to various other deeds. We are more ashamed before our fellow humans than we are afraid of God. Scripture proclaims that all our thoughts will be called to account, not only our wicked deeds but even our hidden thoughts. For on the last day, the books will be opened, signifying that nothing will be forgotten, unless we obtain the promised grace mentioned in the Psalm, which is that God forgives us our sins. However, this forgiveness is not granted without repentance. Those who have grown unyielding to all evil merely mock this notion. They care not about what God may do, for they have become so brutish that they do not contemplate the enormity of hardening their hearts against the sovereign majesty of God.

Hence, when the unbelievers and those who despise God seek refuge and hide in such covert places, vile licentiousness prevails among them, and it would be disgraceful to contemplate their actions and words. But as Simple explains, when they are rebuked, their mischief is uncovered, and their liberty curtailed, as the rebuke serves as a restraint. It is not just because they are reproached by others, but also because they sense that they are accountable to the heavenly judge, and they recognise the dreadful consequences of falling into His hands. In short, Simple meant to demonstrate the purpose that rebuke can serve when utilised correctly and with genuine charitable zeal. He already emphasised that we must not employ hypocrisy or attempt to vindicate ourselves by condemning others. Instead, each of us should thoroughly examine our own lives, despise the vices to which we are prone, and strive to bring ourselves under God's guidance. We should pray for His strength through the power of His Holy Spirit, enabling us to align ourselves with His will and righteousness. In doing so, we should not flatter those who err but speak candidly to them for their own benefit.

The benefit that will arise from following Paul's counsel is that God will not be as grievously offended as we see He is. Moreover, those who were beyond shame may, through this means, be led towards honesty. It seemed to them that they had permission to commit any form of wickedness, but they will repent and encourage others to do the same. Yet, what should drive us even more is the understanding that we live in this world and enjoy the countless blessings bestowed upon us by God. Nevertheless, we allow His authority to be undermined, even when it seems as though people are attempting to remove Him from His throne by blaspheming His holy name. When people provoke Him to anger and we do nothing, we must be considered utter scoundrels and traitors. Imagine if someone insulted, plotted to murder, robbed, defiled the spouse, or corrupted the child of a man in his own home, and we were there enjoying his hospitality, eating his food, drinking his wine, and, in short, being fed and supported at his expense, all the while remaining silent. Wouldn't we deserve to be stoned and have people spit in our faces? Certainly, for ingratitude and villainy will always be condemned, even among humans.

Now, if we are so obliged to protect a mortal man's honour and integrity when we are guests in his home, what should we do for our Lord? Aren't we in His house as long as we live in this world? Don't we receive every drop of water due to His kindness and generosity? Consider this: God takes care of us as a father would. Yet, despite all this, we allow His name to be blasphemed, His majesty to be disrespected, His word to be torn apart, all the orders He has established to be disregarded, His Church, which is His spouse, to be corrupted and abused, and His children to be lured into wickedness. In the meantime, we remain silent. Can any of you deny that such silence is evidence that we are unworthy even to eat a morsel of bread, or to be counted among the lowliest creatures, like worms and insects?

So, let us ponder this carefully. We will be held accountable for despising God's majesty, as we can see happening, because we do not rebuke the vices that flourish due to the audacity of the wicked and the heathen, who become bolder and believe they can run the world as they please, exulting in their disdain for God. Part of this comes from our silence, and that's what St. Paul intended to convey here. Furthermore, it means that the wretched souls, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ paid such a high price that He did not spare Himself to save them, are perishing and falling into Satan's grasp because of our indifference. In the meantime, we pay no heed to it at all.

Now, do we not bear witness that we lack even a drop of charity within us? Yes, and that's why I mentioned that in doing so, we become traitors to God and our neighbours. When we lack zeal for God's name and neglect the welfare of our neighbours, doesn't the world see that we are filled with cruelty and unkindness? I mean cruelty in the sense that we let people perish while knowing and witnessing it, and unkindness towards God because we do not give Him the honour He deserves when we lack the courage to demonstrate, at the very least, that we disapprove of men diminishing God's authority and the reverence owed to Him.

Therefore, whoever we are, we should not be afraid to incur men's displeasure or disfavour when it comes to showing, to the best of our ability, that we genuinely abhor such things. I say, as far as we can, because sometimes our mouths will be shut, and all we can do is sigh at such utter disorder when people behave like devils unleashed, venting their insolence against God. Those who bear the sword seem intent on creating chaos, with all goodness forgotten. In such circumstances, as I mentioned earlier, we have no other recourse but to be sorrowful about it, just as it is said of Lot that his heart was grieved by the wickedness of Sodom. Therefore, let us not hold back. Each of us should stir himself to grief and sorrow when we witness such disorder, and we should testify against it to the extent that it may do some good.

Furthermore, if there is any hope of converting those who are so unruly, let us strive unceasingly to bring them to repentance. Indeed, let us exert ourselves to achieve it. Many people too easily quote the proverb that one should not cast pearls before swine, and they assume that people are swine before they have even attempted to understand them. Even if they have behaved poorly, strayed, or become lawless, and even if the devil has ensnared them, we must labour to reclaim them and have hope, as St. Paul says, "Charity hopeth all things."

So then, until men demonstrate themselves to be wholly inclined to evil, and their maladies appear incurable, let us strive to be good physicians to them through the counsel that God shall inspire us with. You can see what St. Paul meant when he said that unbelievers consider themselves hidden when they are neither perceived nor rebuked. When they are left to wander without correction, they continue in darkness, emboldening themselves to commit wicked deeds. However, we are partly responsible for this, and we cannot absolve ourselves of it, for God has entrusted us with His authority in this matter and has given us His Word, which has the authority to condemn evil. Nevertheless, it is often suppressed and disregarded.

Consider this: when the most wicked individuals are rebuked, they finally recognise their shame. Before, they could not distinguish between right and wrong. It's like a person stumbling in the dark, unaware of their surroundings, even if they stumble and fall. Therefore, when God's Word is presented to people, and we boldly show wrongdoers their faults, it is as if we hold up a mirror to them and say, "Look at yourself; you are as filthy as can be. Are you not ashamed? Go and cleanse yourself." Therefore, admonitions will always achieve this much, although not with everyone. Many have become hardened, and Satan has taken hold of them. God has allowed them to possess such a stubborn and willful disposition that they feel no shame. Nevertheless, when any faithful person does their duty, it will always do some good, and some benefit will come from it. Just as those who had strayed like wild beasts or unruly oxen may return and find some sense of righteousness. Therefore, let us strive for this, if possible, or at least make every effort to attain it.

Now, regarding the word "rebuke," it primarily means to expose the hidden thing. Paul alludes to this function in preaching when he addresses the vanity prevalent in the Corinthian church. They spoke in strange tongues seeking praise and admiration. People would say, "This person is a great scholar; they can speak in all languages." However, this did not lead to edification. Today, we often witness similar distractions in churches, with organs playing on one side, and various performances on the other. There is so much spectacle that simple-minded people are captivated, but there is no edification. Instead, when we gather in the name of God, our aim should be to encourage one another in faith and piety. How can this be achieved? It happens when good and God-fearing individuals are edified by His Word. Moreover, if an unbeliever, who was once a mocker and never felt any remorse, comes in and hears what is proclaimed in God's name – that we cannot escape God's judgment and will stand before the judgment seat of our Lord Jesus Christ, and how Christ has redeemed us, and how ungrateful it is for us to make His sacrifice of death and passion meaningless – when the unbeliever hears all this and sees how we are encouraged to fear and love God for His boundless grace towards us...

Although he compares a person to a brute beast, as Simple says, yet that person will reflect upon themselves and be reproved. He uses the same term here, and the meaning is evident. Even if someone's conscience was as good as dead, and they were almost brutish, they would be compelled to examine themselves and feel shame, giving glory to God. This does not happen to everyone equally, but we can see that many who had gone astray, forgotten God, and had no regard for their own soul's well-being can be so profoundly affected by a single sermon that they appear to be transformed for the rest of their lives. What is done in a communal gathering should also be practised individually. We are not here solely for self-improvement but also to teach one another through mutual instruction. In this manner, we must reprove wrongdoers so that they do not take more liberties to mock God in such a manner, cast off His yoke, and indulge in wickedness. This is essentially what Paul aims to convey to us.

To further solidify this doctrine, he adds yet another reason. It is apt to say that light reveals all things. Previously, he told us that once we are enlightened by God's Spirit and the Gospel, we should be like lamps, providing light to the world. We possess the word of life, which not only guides us but also leads those who have gone astray onto the right path. Continuing on this theme, he explains that it is the nature and function of light to expose. Therefore, when we permit wickedness to take root and grow deeper and deeper, we clearly demonstrate that we are neither lights nor children of the light. In other words, we do not belong to God or Jesus Christ in the slightest. In short, Simple means that we cannot provide any evidence of our Christianity or faith unless we actively oppose and resist evil as much as possible, preventing it from gaining full control and dominance.

Now, let us reflect upon ourselves once more. As I mentioned earlier, none of us is free from the fault of fearing men more than God, of turning a blind eye to others' transgressions so they will do the same for us, and of betraying one another through our silence. However, there is another, even worse vice that compounds the problem. In addition to our silence, we actively contribute to the spread of evil. Consequently, immorality gains further ground because almost everyone, by which I mean the majority of people today, turns a blind eye to all sorts of wickedness and disorder, shutting their ears to things they ought to confront.

Every person strives to conceal the wickedness of their peers, men for men and women for women. They could rectify a great many enormities that are committed, but instead, they bury their own faults with the dung and filth of others and hide their vices as if they were treasure. Practically everyone plays this game of mutual concealment, where they keep quiet about their neighbor's vices in the hope that the favor will be returned. The same is true for all other sins. Nevertheless, as I mentioned earlier, God has not spoken in vain. One day, we will experience the execution of the sentence spoken here by His Apostle. When that time comes, it will be too late for regrets about what we should have acknowledged earlier. Those who fear should go and learn and remember what is stated here: God enlightens us so that each one may examine themselves. We should not be like blind riches groping in the dark, stumbling on one side and running into things on the other. Instead, we should know the path to salvation and, moreover, teach others by revealing the hidden evil. Those who have turned their backs on God, although they appeared to have been in darkness for a long time, will understand that they must come to the light, whatever the consequences.

Therefore, the true way for us to genuinely demonstrate that we belong to God and are enlightened by His Holy Spirit and His Word is to expose things that would otherwise remain hidden, as charity covers a multitude of sins, as Solomon said. We ought to be patient and bear with many shortcomings. It is not appropriate for us to accuse one another, as some do, who, instead of warning those they see transgressing, spread gossip to the point where the streets and marketplaces are filled with it. They exaggerate minor infractions to the level of heinous crimes. Therefore, when some of us expose individuals, it is not to accuse each other in that way, but rather to help the afflicted person, who, with their eyes blinded by Satan, needs to recognize their own wretchedness and wickedness so that they may feel ashamed. Likewise, a woman who has surrendered herself to utter impurity may regain some decency and return to the right path by being confronted with her faults and vices.

The method of exposing wrongdoing is not to slander one another, reprimand each other with pretense, or act hypocritically, straining at a gnat while swallowing an ox or a sheep in a morsel. In other words, some people are overly conscientious about very minor matters but turn a blind eye to numerous major transgressions right under their noses, without being the least bit offended. We must not behave this way. When we observe sin multiplying and growing due to our unfaithfulness, we must address it. Each person should be compelled to reflect upon themselves and their vices for the purpose of improvement. This, essentially, is the diligence that St. Paul urges upon us here. It is the means to remove the plagues that Satan would otherwise maintain through silence and dissimulation. Therefore, whenever we perceive an infection within, we should not let it fester until the disease becomes incurable. Instead, we should promptly cleanse it, using admonitions as though they were lancets and methods to remove the infected matter that could mar and infect the entire body. So, in essence, we should apply this doctrine to what St. Paul teaches here.

Therefore, our Lord Jesus Christ, in all the teachings of the gospel, speaks to those who have fallen asleep in their sins, to those who are as good as dead, so that they may awaken and rise up, and thus we shall be enlightened by Him. First, we must remember that Jesus Christ indeed raises us from the dead when He calls us to faith and leads us into the hope of salvation. This is so that we may better understand our condition. We see how people often boast and glorify themselves, even though they are utterly confused and have nothing to be proud of. Scripture tells us that we are dead, and we may have some semblance of life before we are converted to the faith of Jesus Christ. However, that life is but death before God. This is why it is said in St. John, "The hour is coming when all those who hear the voice of the Son of Man shall live, even though they are dead, and shall pass from death to life." Jesus Christ does not speak of physical death or the resurrection we hope for on the last day. Instead, He reveals how we already have a prelude to the second resurrection when God renews us and gives us spiritual life. For we are capable of nothing but evil, as has been explained before. Simple also uses the same expression, stating that we are dead within. Building upon this, he emphasizes that the entire message of the Gospel is that we should rise from the dead. As long as we are estranged from God, the source of life, we are in a dungeon, and it would have been better for us never to have been born. We must awaken because part of our death is our sluggishness, as I mentioned earlier. We are so corrupted from birth that we cannot find salvation through good deeds alone. We are stuck, blinded, wicked, and lost, with the devil driving and pushing us forward, so that as long as God allows us the reins, we can do nothing but sink deeper into the abyss.

Now, when we have reached that point, there is no more inertia, as St. Paul has already mentioned. There is nothing but obstinacy, as if God meant nothing to us, and we have lost all sense and awareness of our sins. This is why he emphasizes here that we must awaken, because we are in a state of spiritual lethargy until God stirs us and makes us realize our wretchedness so that we may detest our sins and turn back to Him. Therefore, the beginning of life and salvation is when God visits us with His grace while we were like spiritually dead wretches, utterly corrupted. Take note of this first.

Secondly, let us also observe that alongside the wickedness within us, there is such great hardness and stubbornness that God must forcibly awaken us to make us even slightly aware of our vices. This is why God must do this primarily when He calls us and pulls us out of the confusion we were in. However, every Christian must remain in this state throughout their life. We will never be so completely awake that we do not need God to continue rousing us. You may have seen some people who are so deeply asleep that even when they are dressed and on their feet, they stagger and seem half asleep until they rouse themselves and engage in some activity. They are so sluggish and drowsy that they still seem half-asleep even when awake. It is similar with us. Even though our Lord Jesus Christ has granted us the grace to rescue us from spiritual death and quicken us through His Holy Spirit and His Word, we still sense our own slothfulness and sluggishness. Thus, God must continually awaken us. Therefore, we need to be encouraged every day, and our ears must be constantly opened, as if Jesus Christ were calling out loudly to us, "Why are you still in this wretched state?" Even if we heard such warnings incessantly, we would not be fully awake, as we require. Now, we can see what St. Paul intended to convey in this passage: that what we experience by God's grace within ourselves, we should also apply to our neighbors. Our Lord Jesus Christ has indeed raised us from spiritual death and awakens us daily from our spiritual slumber, for we are often so lethargic. This is so that we, in turn, may awaken others from their spiritual slumber and strive to bring those who are spiritually lifeless back to life.

Furthermore, when he says, "And Jesus Christ will enlighten me," it is not meant that we can rise up and awaken by our own power, with Jesus Christ adding His grace later. His intention is different. He means that we shall be enlightened by Jesus Christ, but not in the sense that we are merely in a dark place in need of a candle, like in the nighttime. Even if a person's vision is somewhat obscured, whether by the moon, stars, or anything else, they can still distinguish things. Thus, a person's eyes are not completely useless when navigating in the dark, no matter how dim it is. However, our Lord Jesus Christ enlightens us in a much more remarkable way. We are not only in darkness but utterly blind. Therefore, the remedy that the Son of God brings us through the teaching of the gospel is that He restores our sight. Our eyes were blinded by the sin of our first ancestor, Adam, who allowed vainglory to lead him astray, desiring to discern between good and evil beyond what was lawful for him. However, instead of gaining greater insight, he became brutish, and we, along with him, were left in a state of spiritual blindness. Therefore, we require our vision to be restored, and God's Spirit to serve as our eyes, replacing our spiritual blindness. Keep this in mind.

Furthermore, in this world, there is nothing but darkness, and it is so thick that we cannot even take a single step without stumbling or losing our way. Therefore, we need guidance, and our Lord Jesus Christ shows us the way. Our Lord Jesus enlightens us, not just by helping us or compensating for our deficiencies, but because we are utterly blind, even dead, and finally, we are in the depths of hell, just like a corpse in a grave. People may bring candles and torches to the grave, but they will not help the corpse see. Thus, our Lord Jesus imparts His light to us, not to make us see more clearly than before but to fully restore our sight, since we are blind. Therefore, since Jesus Christ speaks in this manner and continually awakens us and helps us see more clearly, should we not follow His example and do our utmost to assist our neighbours when we see them straying toward destruction? This is the essence of the message being conveyed here.

Recognizing that our Lord Jesus sets Himself as an example and a pattern, we must be barbaric and uncaring if we remain unmoved. The Son of God not only undertakes His role of enlightening us, showing us the way of salvation, and awakening us from the spiritual slumber that enveloped us but, after enlightening us, He expects us to serve as beacons for others to follow, guiding the way. In this manner, He expects us to fulfill half of His role. Therefore, since the Son of God has bestowed such honour upon us, it would be treacherous to hide His light under a bushel and use it only for our own benefit and not for the benefit of others. Furthermore, if we think we have fulfilled our duty by merely abstaining from evil personally, while letting others head towards destruction, without caring or being willing to rectify the situation when we see the devil leading them towards eternal damnation, we are undoubtedly doing great injustice to God. Suppressing His light in this manner, we betray our neighbours and deprive them of the benefit that should lead to the eternal salvation of their souls. Therefore, we will be held accountable before both God and humanity, unless we heed what is being conveyed to us by our Lord Jesus Christ and always keep this doctrine in our hearts.

As professed Christians, we must consider ourselves as trumpeters, awakening those who are asleep and serving as guides to direct those who have strayed, bringing them back to the right path from which they have wandered. We must all act in this manner and continue to do so until we reach the joyful meeting when our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to join Him, granting us the inheritance He has acquired for us. Now let us humble ourselves before the majesty of our good God, acknowledging our faults and praying that He may make us increasingly aware of them. May He not allow us to fall into a deep slumber like wretched unbelievers. Instead, as it is His will for our lives to be like a continuous day, not merely providing the sun to illuminate us temporarily, followed by nightfall, but governing us Himself both day and night, so that we may gain lasting benefit and not return to darkness after He has enlightened us. May He keep us steadfast on the holy path to which He has called us and guide us as we call others to follow Him, all the way until we unite together in His presence. May He grant this grace not only to us but to all people and nations of the earth, etc.