In Place

Ephesians 5:4 ESV

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

The boat was beached and tilted sideways as it was being repaired. In the midst of an argument the young woman reaches over and straightens a picture… It was played for laughs in the middle of the movie Father Goose. The picture had been hanging level but all that was around it was not so it looked crooked, it looked out of place. When things are out of place, they are the proverbial “sore thumb”, all attention is drawn to it. Here Paul is telling us what is not to be found among us, these things are “out of place”. Chapter five begins with the imperative to be “imitators of God” and to “walk in love”. To do these things it was noted that sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthy talk, and crude jokes were out of place. The list of vice is not among the more extensive lists but rather a short practical list of things that will not remain in a community focused on God’s word and dedicated to the gospel.

I walked in and immediately recognized that I did not fit in. Nothing was said to me nor was I asked to leave but I was clearly out of place at this gathering. In point of fact, every effort was made to make me feel comfortable and welcome, but it didn’t change reality, this baby shower was for my child but I was the only guy present and so I didn’t stay much longer than was necessary. Things that don’t fit in may be present for a time but they don’t stay. Such are the vices listed to the Ephesians they will wither and wilt until they depart when the word of God is read and the gospel is preached. What grows under such conditions? What virtue is to be seen in greater proportion year to year? Thanksgiving.

The walk of love (Eph 5:2) is to be one that is marked by a heart of thanksgiving. As a community of believers gathers on Sunday morning the thankfulness to God is to be overwhelming. Over the years my family has made it a point to visit many different homes while we are on vacation. We visit the homes of the well known and less than well known. The tours we are given always mention how the owners’ hosted others. How did they make people welcome in their home? One way that was done was making sure the guests knew they fit in. Mrs. Dana had the flowers taken out of her planters and the planters filled with water and goldfish, she had ice cream put in the icebox in her personal library, all so the children of the neighborhood would know that they fit in. They belonged in her home on this occasion.

This last weekend my family was blessed to stay the weekend with a good friend and visit our former church as well. We fit in. It was hard to leave and we found ourselves lingering after the church meal, not wanting to leave a place we could tell we belonged. Even as Paul points to what is out of place, he also tells us what is in place. The church is to make thanksgiving welcome. It is not a coincidence that the Thanksgiving Holiday is centered around a table and a meal. Giving thanks to God is a time of gathering around fellowship and a meal. Healthy churches will gather around tables for fellowship and meals, like every healthy family. As a church desires to grow in health it must find time around tables to rejoice in the blessings that God has given. Not only on the occasional Sunday but throughout the week as various members as others over for meals of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is to be firmly “in place” in our fellowships.

Coram Deo