The certainty of judgement (v. 5-7)

In our day there are many deceivers in the world, and even in the church. They teach that God is too kind to condemn everybody, and that everybody will get to heaven in the end.

But he speaks up to remind us. Warning to those who know God’s law and wilfully disobey it. Only by recalling that assurance of salvation is neither a synonym nor an excuse for presumption.

The fruit of light (v. 8-14)

The whole paragraph plays on the rich symbolism of darkness and light. ‘You are the light.’ But what Paul writes here is more striking still: they themselves were actually now the ‘light’ not just their environment.

So then, because they had become ‘light of the world’, they must walk as children of light or ‘like people who belong to the light.’

What does that mean in practice? It will mean a life shining with all that is good and rich and true, for these things are the fruit of light.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to live in the light and enjoy it, without also adopting some attitude towards those who still live in the darkness and to their lifestyle.

Exposure sounds negative, showing people up for what they are, judgemental, condemning. And it is that. But the light which exposes has positive evangelistic power also, the light of the soul makes another light.

The nature of wisdom (v. 15-17)

1st - Wise people know that time is a precious commodity.

2nd – Nothing is more important in life than to discover and do the will of God.

The fullness of the Holy Spirit (v. 18-21)

‘Present Imperative.’ For the fullness of the Spirit is not a once-forall experience which we can never lose, but a privilege to be renewed continuously by continuous believing and obedient appropriation.

Message for the defeated and complacent.

To the defeated, be filled with the spirit. He will give you new love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.....

To the complacent, go on being filled. Thank God for what you have had so far. But don’t say you have arrived. There is more....much more to come