In the middle part of Ephesians 5, Paul has been advising his readers to walk in a way pleasing to God. In verses 7 through 10, he uses the metaphor of light and dark. This devotion looks at how disciples are to walk with those in the light, not the dark.
Nuggets
- Disciples are not supposed to associate with those who are continuing to sin because they are changed people.
- Jesus came to earth to save people’s souls from spiritual death.
- Once spiritually dead, we are now spiritually alive, so we need to walk like we are spiritually alive.
- Even after conversion, it is a learning process.
In a way, it seems like Paul is swirling around the middle part of Ephesians 5. He had been talking about sins to avoid. He cautioned them to not associate with those who are continuing to sin.
This was because he didn’t want those people deceiving the Ephesians and steering them away from following God. Paul said this was particularly important because fornicators and those who were impure or covetous would not enter heaven.
Paul started using the light/dark metaphor is Ephesians 5: 8. He expands on this in the next verses.
To read a related devotion, click the appropriate button below.
Just Don’t
“Therefore do not associate with them …” (Eph. 5: 7 RSV)
Paul had some good advice for the Ephesians. Just don’t associate with fornicators, the impure, or those they are covetous.
We have a saying that we are guilty by association. We may not be guilty, but because of the people we choose to be around, our witness may be wrecked.
By associating with people that we know are sinning, it looks like we are agreeing with the sin — or worse, advising them to continue sinning.
Satan is really crafty in wheeling us toward the temptation of sin. Yes, we have to associate with sinners to witness to them. We do that by building relationships.
But we cannot compromise our beliefs. We have to stay true to God’s laws and commandments.
Light/Dark Contrast
“for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light” (Eph. 5: 8 RSV)
Disciples are not supposed to associate with those who are continuing to sin because they are changed people. Paul illustrated that change by comparing darkness to light.
There are several Bible verses show Jesus as Light. Here are just two.
“The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined” (Isa. 9: 2 NKJV).
“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life’” (Jn. 8: 12 NASB).
Go back to the Isaiah verse a second. Usually when we are saying the verse, we leave out the “… Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death …” part (Isa. 9: 2 NKJV). Maybe that is because when Jesus talked about it, He did (Jn. 8: 12).
But remember when Paul was testifying before King Agrippa. He told the king about his conversion experience. Here is what he said Jesus had told him: “You are to open their eyes and turn them from the darkness to the light and from the power of Satan to God, so that through their faith in me they will have their sins forgiven and receive their place among God’s chosen people” (Ac. 26, 18 GNT).
When Paul got his marching orders, Jesus specifically said turn them. Why? Because Jesus is “… the Light of life” (Jn. 8: 12 GNT).
Jesus knew He wasn’t coming to just light up whatever room He was in. He wasn’t here for a popularity contest or to be a social activist.
Jesus came to earth to save people’s souls from spiritual death. Plain. And. Simple.
Our conversion changes us from disciples of the ruler of darkness to disciples of the Light. He becomes our ruler. Our lives have to reflect that change because “… you are light in the Lord …” (Eph. 5: 8 RSV).
Paul knew our mission as disciples is to invite others to make that change. It is imperative that we do that. If we don’t, people will remain dwelling “… in the land of the shadow of death …” (Isa. 9: 2 NKJV).
We cannot whitewash this because it has tremendous consequences. Those we are and should be witnessing to do not want to be there when Jesus returns.
Fruit of the Light
“(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)” (Eph. 5: 9 RSV)
We were spiritually dead. Now, we are spiritually alive, so we need to walk like we are spiritually alive.
Because we were regenerated, the Holy Spirit came to live in us. That makes Him the fruit of the light. He is found in the hearts of all disciples who are living the life they are called to live: being “… good and right and true” (Eph. 5: 9 RSV).
Now, what are the fruits of the spirit? “… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5: 22-23 HCSB). We said many devotions ago that the fruits of the spirit show pure heart — just where the Spirit lives in us. “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Gal. 4: 6 NIV).
Jesus is right — and just. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I Jn. 1: 9 emphasis added).
In our conversion from dark to light, we have been made right. “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Rom. 5: 1 NLT).
We know Jesus was truth (Jn. 14: 6). So is the Spirit. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future” (Jn. 16: 13 NLT).
Learning Process
“and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (Eph. 5: 10 RSV)
When we admit our sins, believe on Jesus as Redeemer, and confess God as Sovereign Lord, that is the easy part. The harder part is learning to demonstrate that commitment by following our job description.
Even after conversion, it is a learning process. We can read the Bible, but it doesn’t tell us fully who God is. He reveals Himself as we grow closer to Him.
We don’t know all that God is calling us to be when we first ask Him to be our God.
We talked about learning about God before. Learning about Christ is getting to know Him as our personal Savior. When we seek Jesus, we are learning the truth.
We do this in steps. Learning comes by accepting one piece of knowledge. Then we get exposed to new material, and we have to evaluate what we already know to see how this applies to that. Does it expand our knowledge? Does it change our beliefs? What changes do we need to make on our lives to reflect what we now believe?
Making the Connections
Generally, when there is a learning process, there is some kind of test to make sure we really know the material. It may be questions we answer, but it may also be physically performing a skill, like putting in an IV or welding something. It might be singing the song in front of an audience. (It might be writing a test to make sure we know how.)
Whatever we are being called to do, we are proving the material. We show that we can perform.
Because disciples will be put into a testing phase. It may not be as comprehensive as Job’s, but Satan is going to see if he can derail us.
We specifically have to learn how those laws and commandments impact us. What do we need to change so that we are living as He wants?
But we also have to test the words of others to make sure they are not false teachers. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (I Thess. 5: 21 KJV).
We have to prove things are good, right, and true. We have to prove this is exactly what we believe and by which will live.
How Do We Apply This?
We do have to pick our friends carefully. “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals’” (I Cor. 15: 33 ESV).
When it ends up we didn’t chose wisely, we should not give in to them. “My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!” (Prov. 1: 10 NLT).
We are called to live as children of the Light. We have to evaluate all of our circumstances to see where God is calling us, when temptations we are facing and what He wants us to learn to grow in His grace and knowledge (II Pet. 3 18).
God doesn’t want us to leap in headfirst and blaze our own trail. He wants to provide for us.
What God does want us to do is be humble and steady. He wants us to be good hosts for the Spirit living in us. We are to use the Spirit and His Word to guide us.
We need to do all of this while we are praying. We have to keep the lines of communication open with our Father.
It’s a lot, isn’t it? Do this. Don’t do this. Watch out for this.
Did you catch that one word? The Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, and Contemporary English Version all have it.
Try.
Every testing runs the chance of failing. God knows that we won’t be fruit-of-the-spirit perfect every time. He knows we aren’t always going to do the do’s and will sometimes do the don’ts.
That is why God’s mercy is everr new every morning. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3: 22-23 ESV).
We’ve got to be genuine and sincere in wanting to live for Him. We’ve got to put everything in His hands.
Loving Heavenly Father. Thank You for calling us from the dark to the Light. That means that You have given us spiritual life. Help us to grow in grace and knowledge of You (II Pet. 3: 18). May we reflect You Light to others so that they may come to know You. Amen.
What do you think?
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