Scripture Reading(s)
Ephesians 5:8-14
5:8 For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light-
5:9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.
5:10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.
5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
5:12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly;
5:13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
5:14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Reflections
Light has an interesting way of showing us not only what is truly there, but also giving us a sense of comfort. Light represents the bright side of what is in front of us and exposes the things that we may not have seen when the lights were turned off.
Think of the child who has a fear of the dark. While lying in the darkness the fear stems from not knowing what is in front of them but perhaps convincing themselves that their imagination is real. The fear and truth is only realized once the lights are turned on and they are able to clearly see what is there.
Before coming to Christ, we all lived in a world of darkness. We were walking down a path that seemed to only be illuminated by our sinful choices and will to live our own way. Sin’s primary goal is to constantly shield us from the true light and hide what is ultimately leading us down a road of darkness.
Here in this passage, there is the encouragement to keep walking in the light and bringing the Gospel to those who are in the darkness of sin. We are also encouraged to keep on pursuing a life that is honoring and pleasing to God. When we choose to walk in a way that represents God’s light living in our lives, that light can then be used to illuminate the hearts of those who are around us.
In the biblical era light was synonymous with righteousness and glory. The NT authors also connect the light with the Spirit of the Lord and all that is wholesome. Here in the epistles to the Ephesians Paul is reminding his listeners that they must walk in the light of the Lord which is the guidance of the Spirit and that those who do so will produce good fruit. Indeed, those who are walking according the teachings of Jesus will produce good fruit and will bear the light of the Lord in all places they go.
As Christians in a world of darkness we must remember that we are the ones who are to carry the light to the rest of the world. Do not simply pray for God to do it for us. We do not pray for God to send someone else. We must be bold like the young prophet Isaiah when God called him into a life of service.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)
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