But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. (Eph 5:3 NIV)

That is a tremendous demand by the apostle. Which congregation can say that it fulfils this apostolic mandate wholeheartedly? Most levels of society have lost all divine orientation with regards to the sixth commandment. Even in the Christian congregation men and women have lots to confess in this regard. It is not a question of intellect or schooling. It is the same challenge everywhere. Negative examples abound and not much positive remains to answer this apostolic commandment, that there should not even be a hint of sexual immorality never mind talk or practice of any kind of impurity or greed.

The apostle is not one of those, who would adapt the divine law to fit our whims or inclinations. He would not even change the commandment if there was no sign of compliance either. The strict demand calls for deep rooted penance, especially as the appropriate levels of sanctification are not attained. He demands great and truly holy things from us, so that we are at least led to this profound penance where we do not live up to the required holiness and sanctity in sanctification.

Renew me, O eternal Light, And let my heart and soul be bright, Illumined with the light of grace That issues from your holy face.

Remove the power of sin from me And cleanse all my impurity That I may have the strength and will Temptations of the flesh to still.

Create in me a new heart, Lord, That gladly I obey your Word. Let what you will be my desire, And with new life my soul inspire.

Grant that I only you may love And seek those things which are above Till I behold you face to face, O Light eternal, through your grace. (Johann Friedrich Ruopp, 1672-1708; translated August Crull, 1845-1923)

This is a translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after Sunday Oculi (3rd Sunday in Lent) and is found on Pg. 133 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.