Ephesians 5:10 Proving what is acceptable to the Lord. I. THE ACT: "proving." So to prove as to approve and practise. II. THE OBJECT: "that which is pleasing, or acceptable, to the Lord." There is a difference between things. 1. Some things utterly displease God, as sin (2 Samuel 11:27). 2. Some things are not displeasing unto God, as all natural and indifferent actions, which are not forbidden, but allowed by Him (Ecclesiastes 9:7). 3. Other things are commanded by Him as a positive law, but have no natural goodness in themselves, setting aside God's command. 4. There are some things which do most please God, as things eminently good are acceptable to Him in the highest degree; as, for instance, faith in Christ is pleasing to God, but a strong faith is more acceptable than a weak, which needeth props and crutches (John 20:29). That proving what is acceptable to God is one great duty which belongeth to the children of light.I shall explain this point by these considerations — 1. Our great end and scope should be to please God, and be accepted with Him. 2. We please God by doing what He hath required of us in His Word. There are certain things evident by the light of nature which belong to our duty; these must not be overlooked (Micah 6:8). The things there mentioned are evident by the light of nature. That we should carry ourselves justly towards men, and with reverence and obedience to the Divine majesty, is evident by the light of nature, as well as Scripture. But the revelation that He hath made of our duty to us by the Word is more clear, full, and certain. 3. If we would know God's mind revealed in His Word, we must use search and trial. Δοκιμάζοντες, "proving," noteth great diligence and care that we may know the mind of God; for it greatly importeth us, and we are often pressed to it: "Prove all things, hold fast that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 6:21). If we see but a piece of money that hath the king's image stamped upon it, we bring it to the touchstone to see if it be right: do so with doctrines and practices, bring them to the law and to the testimony, see how they agree with God's Word (1 John 4:1). 4. We must search and try, that we may walk as children of the light. The night was made for rest; the light is not given us for rest and idleness, but for work. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. |
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