Ephesians 5:8-14
The world is full of darkness, and it lives in the hearts of many people. This darkness is far worse than any kind of physical or mental darkness. It comes in the form of lies, injustice, hurt, or wrongdoing. Paul defined this darkness as Sin. Sin never satisfies. It only leads to broken hearts, broken dreams, and broken relationships. Jesus came to defeat the darkness and to show us how we are to live.
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:8-14 (NLT)
When you become a Christian you are joined to Jesus and become a child of God. Your old life dies and your new life begins. Paul says something amazing in these verses. He doesn't just say you are standing in the light; he says you are to live as people of the light. You are the light. You are to turn away from your old life, full of darkness, and replace it with light. This means that your desires and actions change and reflect the life of Jesus, doing what is right and good and true.
God wants us to live in a new way. He wants us to live a life of righteousness and goodness, following the teachings of Jesus and being guided by His truth. It involves rejecting darkness, which symbolizes sin and evil. This is a journey and the more time you spend in prayer, reading the Bible, going to church or surrounding yourself with fellow Christians, the more you learn about God and what it is that brings Him joy. Walking in the light entails living a life that is pleasing to God.
Verse 14 is believed to be an early Christian hymn. “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” We often go through the motions of the day spiritually asleep. Old habits can return and we can become numb to what is going on around us. This verse is a reminder that every morning is an opportunity for us to say "Lord, I’m awake. Shine through me today."
Questions for Reflection:
- How does your Christian walk impact those around you? Are you a light that draws others to Christ?.
- When you think about doing what is right, good and true, which one feels most present in your life? Which one may need a little more work?
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, Thank you for being the light of the world and for making me a child of the light. Wake me up to all the blessings in my life and the good things that you would have me do today. Help me to shine bright so that others might see your goodness. Amen
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