Children of Light
"Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:7-14
When exhorting believers not to live like the corrupt world, Paul writes, "for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." (Eph. 5:8) How can sinners, who at one time “were darkness” walk as children of light? To unfold what it means to walk as children of light, we will consider the function, fuel and fruit of light.
The Function of Light
To walk as children of light is to imitate God, who is light (1 John 1:5). A light bulb will not illuminate unless it’s screwed into a light socket. Similarly, to walk as children of light, you must first be connected to Christ and adopted into God’s family by faith. Paul wrote that we, who at one time were darkness, “are light in the Lord” (v.8).
In verses 3-5, Paul gets specific about sins that should not in any way characterize our lives as children of light. There are two categories of sins that Paul seems to emphasize, which were characteristic of the culture of his day, namely sexual sins and sins of the tongue. He names these sins not because they are the only sins that believers are to refrain from, but because they were pervasive in the pagan culture of Ephesus. Likewise, we live in a sexualized culture—a culture that is given over to sensuality. Sadly, the sensuality of our culture has crept in to the church.
Notice that Paul also wrote: “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving” (Ephesians 5:4). The bible is not against laughter or humor. But too often people excuse their crude language by claiming, “It’s just a joke.” But do you know, one of the strategies of the enemy of our souls is to get us to make light of sin? He wants us to laugh and be entertained by what God calls sins so that we don’t take it seriously.
Now in contrast to the darkness that once characterized our lives before coming to Christ, what is it about the function of light, that God’s children are to emulate? Light reveals.
Light reveals what you would not otherwise see if you were in darkness. To be saved means that the light of God has been turned on in your life in order that you might see things for what they really are. Because we are in the Lord (v.8) and the Lord is in us through the Spirit, we have the ability to discern truth and error, right and wrong.
After exhorting believers to walk as children of light, Paul writes: “and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (v.10). As children of light, who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, we must seek, with the ability and resources that God has provided, to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. How do we sharpen our powers of discernment? (Hebrews 5:14). We do so by developing a working knowledge of the bible and applying it to our lives. One of the main reasons that believers struggle to discern the deeper things of God and His direction in their lives is because they fail to put into practice what God has already revealed to them. But when we walk in light, darkness will be exposed and cleansed from our lives, which allows us to enjoy communion with God and grow in spiritual discernment (1 John 1:8-9).
Moreover, when we are walking as children of light, the darkness around us will be exposed. Paul writes: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light” (Ephesians 5:11-14a).
How do we expose the unfruitful works of darkness? We expose the works of darkness by the light that shines from our lives. Instead of isolation, we expose darkness by illumination. We expose darkness not by whispering into someone’s ear, "Hey, did you hear what she/he did?” If you’re a gossip, you’re not contributing to the light, you’re adding to the darkness.
As Christians, there are times when we must graciously confront sin in a person’s life. But the primary way that we as Christians expose sin, especially in the lives of the unsaved around us, is by being the light that we are called to be.
The Fruit of Light
Notice also what Paul calls the fruit of light. In verse 9 we read in parenthesis: “(For the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true.)” Is the fruit of light evident in your life? In your area of influence, does your life reveal in a bright and glorious way something of the goodness and righteousness of God? As Philip Yancey explained, "The people of God are not merely to mark time, waiting for God to step in and set right all that is wrong. Rather, they are to model the new heaven and new earth, and by so doing awaken longings for what God will someday bring to pass.”
Paul continues: “But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.” (Eph. 5:13-14a). What Paul is saying here is that the light that is to shine from the lives of Christians, which includes sharing of the gospel, will expose the darkness in the lives of those around us. And the light that exposes the darkness, which makes things visible, has the power to draw people to the light of Christ. Paul is not saying that everyone who is exposed to the light of Christ in our lives will be drawn to him. Some will not be. In fact, some people will be offended and even hostile to the light. As Shane Pruitt put it, “The world is so in love with lies that the truth feels like hate.”
Nevertheless, as children of light, we are called to help others find their way to Christ so that they too can become children of light (Matthew 5:16). Are people being drawn to your light (Isaiah 60:1-3)? Are you shining the light of the gospel or contributing to the darkness?
The Fuel of Light
After exhorting believers to walk as children of light, Paul writes, “Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14). The light of Christ that saves us also transform us to shine more brightly for Jesus as we seek His face day by day (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). The reason we can shine brightly for Jesus is because He shines His light on us.
Recently, I read a story about a man returning from a journey who brought his wife a glow in the dark matchbox. After giving it to her, she turned off the light. But the matchbox could not be seen. Both thought that they were cheated. Then the wife noticed some French words on the box and asked a friend to translate them. The inscription said, "If you want me to shine in the night, keep me in the light."
To shine in the darkness of this world, we must walk in the light of Christ. We must not only immerse ourselves in the light of His word, but we must be doers of the word. If we do sin, (and we will), we must confess it to the Lord and be cleansed (1 John 1:9; John 15:7). Keep a short account with God.
Like stars, the darker the world gets, the brighter we ought to shine for Christ as children of light. Do you know what a black hole is? Black holes are created by stars that die and collapse on themselves. As they die, they shrink smaller and smaller and become heavier and heavier. Their gravitational force becomes so strong that they pull nearby objects into themselves. A black hole no longer gives off light. Rather it pulls things in and lets nothing out-not even light.
What characterizes the life of the unregenerate who walk in darkness is self-centeredness. Like a black hole, they pull everything into themselves and give nothing out. In contrast, children of light, who walk in the light, bring hope and healing to the world. It’s important to note that before exhorting believers to walk as children of light, Paul wrote, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
As children of light, we are no longer to live like a self absorbed black hole that takes and takes. We are no longer just consumers but contributors. We walk as children of light by walking in the selfless and sacrificial love of Jesus. May the love of Lord give us the strength to overcome the pull of this dark world so that we might reflect the light of His love and draw others to Jesus.
In your service,
Pastor Marco
When exhorting believers not to live like the corrupt world, Paul writes, "for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." (Eph. 5:8) How can sinners, who at one time “were darkness” walk as children of light? To unfold what it means to walk as children of light, we will consider the function, fuel and fruit of light.
The Function of Light
To walk as children of light is to imitate God, who is light (1 John 1:5). A light bulb will not illuminate unless it’s screwed into a light socket. Similarly, to walk as children of light, you must first be connected to Christ and adopted into God’s family by faith. Paul wrote that we, who at one time were darkness, “are light in the Lord” (v.8).
In verses 3-5, Paul gets specific about sins that should not in any way characterize our lives as children of light. There are two categories of sins that Paul seems to emphasize, which were characteristic of the culture of his day, namely sexual sins and sins of the tongue. He names these sins not because they are the only sins that believers are to refrain from, but because they were pervasive in the pagan culture of Ephesus. Likewise, we live in a sexualized culture—a culture that is given over to sensuality. Sadly, the sensuality of our culture has crept in to the church.
Notice that Paul also wrote: “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving” (Ephesians 5:4). The bible is not against laughter or humor. But too often people excuse their crude language by claiming, “It’s just a joke.” But do you know, one of the strategies of the enemy of our souls is to get us to make light of sin? He wants us to laugh and be entertained by what God calls sins so that we don’t take it seriously.
Now in contrast to the darkness that once characterized our lives before coming to Christ, what is it about the function of light, that God’s children are to emulate? Light reveals.
Light reveals what you would not otherwise see if you were in darkness. To be saved means that the light of God has been turned on in your life in order that you might see things for what they really are. Because we are in the Lord (v.8) and the Lord is in us through the Spirit, we have the ability to discern truth and error, right and wrong.
After exhorting believers to walk as children of light, Paul writes: “and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (v.10). As children of light, who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, we must seek, with the ability and resources that God has provided, to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. How do we sharpen our powers of discernment? (Hebrews 5:14). We do so by developing a working knowledge of the bible and applying it to our lives. One of the main reasons that believers struggle to discern the deeper things of God and His direction in their lives is because they fail to put into practice what God has already revealed to them. But when we walk in light, darkness will be exposed and cleansed from our lives, which allows us to enjoy communion with God and grow in spiritual discernment (1 John 1:8-9).
Moreover, when we are walking as children of light, the darkness around us will be exposed. Paul writes: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light” (Ephesians 5:11-14a).
How do we expose the unfruitful works of darkness? We expose the works of darkness by the light that shines from our lives. Instead of isolation, we expose darkness by illumination. We expose darkness not by whispering into someone’s ear, "Hey, did you hear what she/he did?” If you’re a gossip, you’re not contributing to the light, you’re adding to the darkness.
As Christians, there are times when we must graciously confront sin in a person’s life. But the primary way that we as Christians expose sin, especially in the lives of the unsaved around us, is by being the light that we are called to be.
The Fruit of Light
Notice also what Paul calls the fruit of light. In verse 9 we read in parenthesis: “(For the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true.)” Is the fruit of light evident in your life? In your area of influence, does your life reveal in a bright and glorious way something of the goodness and righteousness of God? As Philip Yancey explained, "The people of God are not merely to mark time, waiting for God to step in and set right all that is wrong. Rather, they are to model the new heaven and new earth, and by so doing awaken longings for what God will someday bring to pass.”
Paul continues: “But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.” (Eph. 5:13-14a). What Paul is saying here is that the light that is to shine from the lives of Christians, which includes sharing of the gospel, will expose the darkness in the lives of those around us. And the light that exposes the darkness, which makes things visible, has the power to draw people to the light of Christ. Paul is not saying that everyone who is exposed to the light of Christ in our lives will be drawn to him. Some will not be. In fact, some people will be offended and even hostile to the light. As Shane Pruitt put it, “The world is so in love with lies that the truth feels like hate.”
Nevertheless, as children of light, we are called to help others find their way to Christ so that they too can become children of light (Matthew 5:16). Are people being drawn to your light (Isaiah 60:1-3)? Are you shining the light of the gospel or contributing to the darkness?
The Fuel of Light
After exhorting believers to walk as children of light, Paul writes, “Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14). The light of Christ that saves us also transform us to shine more brightly for Jesus as we seek His face day by day (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). The reason we can shine brightly for Jesus is because He shines His light on us.
Recently, I read a story about a man returning from a journey who brought his wife a glow in the dark matchbox. After giving it to her, she turned off the light. But the matchbox could not be seen. Both thought that they were cheated. Then the wife noticed some French words on the box and asked a friend to translate them. The inscription said, "If you want me to shine in the night, keep me in the light."
To shine in the darkness of this world, we must walk in the light of Christ. We must not only immerse ourselves in the light of His word, but we must be doers of the word. If we do sin, (and we will), we must confess it to the Lord and be cleansed (1 John 1:9; John 15:7). Keep a short account with God.
Like stars, the darker the world gets, the brighter we ought to shine for Christ as children of light. Do you know what a black hole is? Black holes are created by stars that die and collapse on themselves. As they die, they shrink smaller and smaller and become heavier and heavier. Their gravitational force becomes so strong that they pull nearby objects into themselves. A black hole no longer gives off light. Rather it pulls things in and lets nothing out-not even light.
What characterizes the life of the unregenerate who walk in darkness is self-centeredness. Like a black hole, they pull everything into themselves and give nothing out. In contrast, children of light, who walk in the light, bring hope and healing to the world. It’s important to note that before exhorting believers to walk as children of light, Paul wrote, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
As children of light, we are no longer to live like a self absorbed black hole that takes and takes. We are no longer just consumers but contributors. We walk as children of light by walking in the selfless and sacrificial love of Jesus. May the love of Lord give us the strength to overcome the pull of this dark world so that we might reflect the light of His love and draw others to Jesus.
In your service,
Pastor Marco