Ephesians 5:7-12 “Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.”
The third principle in Ephesians 5:7-10 that help us to be lights to the world is (3) we need to be sure to reveal, but do not revile. Find out what is acceptable and pleasing to the Lord. Acts 17:11 says, “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” In knowing God, knowing Him more daily, and becoming a seasoned Christian, we put what we see, hear and read to the test all by comparing them to the Word of God, approving what is well-pleasing to the Lord. The Apostle Paul instructs us in Romans 12:2, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” When we live our lives in a way that is consistent with God’s over-arching plan, we put to the test and prove that the Lord’s ways produce fruitful results that are up to His standards and promise.
Psalm 119:104-106 is our guide, “Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.” God tells us through His Prophet in Isaiah 42:16 “I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them.” If we live our lives consistent with the light of Jesus Christ, it will cause other people to look at our talk and walk, catch a glimpse of the light of the Lord in our life, long for what they are missing, realize that they need to step into the light and give glory to God. Our purpose in living as children of light is not to bring attention to ourselves, but to bring attention to God, the source of light that transformed us into light. You are the light of the world.
When we produce the fruit of His light, the Fruit of the Spirit (joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) flows from us and reveals God through our lives. Galatians 5:24-25 tells us, “those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” The desires and passions on the fallen flesh are the old dead way. It tempts, deceives and constantly a distraction, but put it off and put on the new way in Christ to receive the lighted safe path of the Spirit, the unimaginable promises of God and truly abundant life to the full through the Good Shepherd, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Son of God is God the Son, Jesus Christ, who proclaims in Matthew 28:18, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” And is affirmed in John 3:31-34 “He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.” Jesus Christ is Lord of all. He commands us in Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” But, we are not encouraged to go into the world with a hammer to condemn and revile those who still walk in the darkness of sin and unbelief.
There are plenty of warnings in the Bible about the consequences of living a sinful and immoral lifestyle, walking in darkness. Jesus said in John 3:17-18 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. Unbelieving sinners are condemned already. As Christians, we are not to tolerate open consistent and unrepentant sin. Do not condone their sin, but do not condemn the already condemned, berate, scorn or revile them. The objective is repentant restoration to an upright position before God through Christ. Followers of Jesus do not overcome darkness by cursing or condemning the darkness. We overcoming darkness with the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let your light shine in order to reveal God in you.
The message for us who have made Jesus Christ the Lord of our lives: Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Know God, love God, trust God, and obey God. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 instructs us, “But you, [people] of God, flee from all this {sin], and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” The Bible teaches that the church [the body of Christ] is to be that light, that sign of hope, in an increasingly dark and hopeless world. Be light in the darkness.
In Christ, Brian
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