Therefore do not be partakers with them…

    Ephesians 5:7

The Bible is wonderful in that it tells us what our lives in Christ should be like while also giving us warnings about sin, pitfalls, and trappings common to living in a fallen world. So, we should pay close attention to what it says regarding our spiritual lives as well as instructions on what we should be avoiding. Today’s passage is such an instruction reminding us that we, as Christians, should be living lives that are starkly different than the rest of the world and the unbelieving population around us. “Therefore do not be partakers with them…” is God’s instruction to us. 

The word “partaking” is pretty straightforward. It means that we are co-participants in some activity or lifestyle. To be a “partaker” means that we are consuming or indulging in something. Paul’s instruction to the church is for us “not” to be partakers with them. So, when he says “them,” of whom is he speaking? The key is in the word “therefore.” Anytime we dive into scripture and see a word like “therefore,” we know that this is a continuation of thought from the previous passage or passages. In order to understand the verse, we need to go back and look at the context for Paul’s declaration to “not partake.” Consider the previous verse:

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

      Ephesians 5:6

When Paul says, “do not be partakers with them,” he is referring to the “sons of disobedience.” These are the unrepentant, unbelievers, who rebel against God, ignore the gospel, and refuse to change their ways. And the wrath of God will come against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. So Paul is making a distinction between the unbelieving world and those of us who belong to Christ. We, simply, are not to partake in the same lifestyles, habits, and activities as they. Our lives should be starkly different. 

So, we know who Paul is referring to but what are the activities that we should be avoiding? Consider verse 5 from the same passage:

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.

  Ephesians 5:5

This is not a comprehensive list of all of the possible sins that we can commit against God but the verse does provide us with a few broad categories that are egregious to God. Sexual immorality (homosexual and heterosexual sin), impurity (morality wrong, lewd, even demonic), coveting (the lack of contentment, Hebrews 13:5-6), and idolatry (putting anyone or anything above our loyalty and commitment to Christ). As born again believers and followers of Jesus Christ, the old is gone and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22-24) therefore, we are not to be partakers with those who are outside of Christ and whose lifestyles reflect behavior the is egregious to God. Perhaps, there is no better passage, describing the change in the believer’s life and the reaction that we will receive from unbelievers when we outwardly proclaim our loyalty to Christ, than the following:

For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign (insult) you…

        1 Peter 4:3-4

Peter begins by reminding us that, before our conversion, we had spent plenty of time (wasting time) pursuing all of the trappings of the world, the very things that will bring the wrath of God in judgment. If you were saved as a child, this passage might be more difficult in which to relate. I seriously doubt many children were seeing how much depravity they could rack up in grade school (although there might have been some). But if you were saved much later in life, then you probably have an easier time relating to this passage. Every Christian has a life before Christ and one since meeting the Savior. It is the change in our behavior that verifies that we truly do belong to Christ and have His Spirit living within us. 

But then, Peter gives us a list, not comprehensive, but more extensive than the broad categories of Paul’s last in Ephesians. Consider these behaviors, attitudes, and lifestyles that are not consistent with the Christian life and the Word of God…sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. We won’t spend the time to take a deep dive into each of these rather we will look at them as a whole and then compare that to what a born again believer’s life should look like. How does your life stack up against this list? How about the categories brought forth by Paul in Ephesians? It’s no wonder why Paul says, “do not be partakers with them.” 

But then, Peter reminds us of the reaction that others, outside of Christ, will have regarding our new life in Christ and it’s twofold. “They are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign (insult) you…” First, those still caught in this kind of lifestyle will “be surprised” that you do not partake with them. They have no spiritual understanding because, as unbelievers, they are void of the Holy Spirit therefore, they just cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14-15). They just cannot figure you out. 

Secondly, they will insult you because of your stance and walk with Christ. “You used to be so fun, you really are a party pooper now.” “You think you’re so much better than everyone else.” Sound familiar? And with the ultra, sophisticated crowd, these kind of things will be said, not to your face, but behind your back. But make no mistake, there will be a spiritual division between authentic, born again believers in Jesus Christ and those outside of Christ. Consider the following:   

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.

  2 Corinthians 6:14,15b,17a

All throughout the Word of God, we, as Christians, are called out to be separate from the world. Our lives should demonstrate a higher, more ethical and moral standard than we see in the general flow of the world and its behavior. Will we get insulted for this kind of Christian behavior and lifestyle, you can expect it! But the calling of God on our lives and the filling of our hearts with the very presence of God prompts us to live this way, a life that is abundant, superior, and uncommon. We have the power within us, because of God’s presence, to say no to the depravity, debauchery, corruption, and perversion that we see in our world. 

So, in what are you partaking? Is your mindset, behavior, and lifestyle one that is seeking to please God and exhibit habits consistent with a born again believer or are you still stuck in the sinful lifestyles displayed all throughout our world? The choice is ours! But if we are claiming the name of Jesus then we should not be partaking in the same behaviors, attitudes, and lifestyles as those outside of Christ. Rather, we are to be lighthouses, shining for Christ and the gospel in a sea of darkness, confusion, and despair. 

You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

James 4:4