I enjoy driving at night and seeing the warmth of a well-lit house permeating the velvet darkness around it. Regardless of what the neighborhood may look like in the daytime, the contrast of the light in the night makes even the least attractive places appear inviting. Flip the image, though, and a boarded-up house on a sunny day becomes an antagonistic sight, even to the most tenacious of visitors.
Reminding the church at Ephesus that belief culminates in action, Paul explained that all of the answers for life could be found in the testimony of Jesus (Ephesians 5:1-2). Centuries earlier, Isaiah had prophesied: “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine” (Isaiah 9:2). More than a model of good choices, Jesus is Himself the light God promised (John 1:4-5, 8:12).
Just as “God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all” (1 John 1:5), so we must decide between light and darkness. Sin is appealing, but the long-term consequences are clear: “Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going” (John 12:35).
Paul defined salvation—the freedom from sin and its consequences—as a distinct movement from “the kingdom of darkness” into the “Kingdom of [God’s] dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). To walk in the light requires our repentance (Psalm 56:13; 1 John 1:7) and worship (Psalm 89:15); then the life—and light—of Jesus permeates every part of our being. In this way, God confers the inheritance of Christ on those “who live in the light” (Colossians 1:12). We don’t earn it through works, but experience it through the same grace that empowers us to live free.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 9:32-42
More:
Read 2 Samuel 12:1-25 and consider how the unexpected revelation of our sin can either be an opportunity for redemption or lead to further deception.
Next:
What are some ways you’ve stayed in the shadows of sin because you feared what people would think of you if you confessed it? How does our choice to move from darkness into the light require an adjustment of our eyes?
Gary Shultz on October 22, 2014 at 6:35 am
Yes, right on top of the list was light. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness
Gene on October 22, 2014 at 9:15 am
This is such a hopeful passage in that we can change and be light to others. Christians are all sinners saved by grace, yet we have the ability to determine what pleases the Lord (Eph 5:10). Striving to please the Lord versus contemplating what we can get away with is a game changer in our Christian walk.
poohpity on October 22, 2014 at 11:52 am
When God shines His light in our lives we understand His grace. Reflecting His grace we can point others to the source not to us.
Mike Wittmer on October 24, 2014 at 9:19 am
I love this illustration. We all look good when we compare ourselves to the dark night of sin. But when we study our faces in the bright light of God’s Word, we’ll quickly discover our need for Jesus.
Winn Collier on November 1, 2014 at 8:49 pm
I’ve been thinking a bit lately about the many (at times paradoxical) ways that Scripture uses the imagery of light / dark. You’ve given me more to consider. Thanks.
daisymarygoldr on December 14, 2014 at 10:44 am
Good post and relevant topic—especially for this part of the year. However, the questions do not square with scripture but smell of a strange teaching being taught and followed in churches where individuals with issues of addiction to alcohol, sex etc., are rounded up in groups and required to confess their sin to others. Although the members and counselors call themselves Christians, instruction from the Bible is strictly forbidden. This is because they claim speaking the scripture turns on the light and hurts people who practise sin. Sadly, persons who participate in such creepy confessionals are often caught circling through a cruel cycle of sin that involves forgiveness-sin-forgiveness and more sin but— no healing.
There is no denying the truth that when the Bible is turned off; the light that shines is not of God but from Satan who disguises himself as an angel of light. And it is no wonder that his “trained professionals” also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end both will surely get the punishment for their dark deeds. Let us not be deceived. Those who contradict God’s word are completely in the dark. They will go from one place to another…but wherever they look, there will be… dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness. Isaiah 8:20
Nowhere in the Bible are we told that those who stayed in the shadows of sin did so because they feared what people would think. Those who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed (John 3:20). And adjustment of the eyes is needed only for those who are sleeping in the night. Night is the time when people sleep and get drunk (1 Thessalonians 5:7). This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, and Christ will give you light.”
True, Jesus is Himself the light God promised. He is no warm glow of a Christmas candle or the electric bulbs that hang on well-lit houses and trees. The Bible describes Him as the “great light” that dawned on the people living in darkness. Christ came into the world to reveal God to the nations (Luke 2:32). All those who follow Jesus Christ will never walk in darkness because we have the light that leads to life.
And if we say we are children of the light “we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh” (Romans 13:13-14).
Jesus calls us the light of the world. In Philippians 2, Paul urges us to work hard to show the results of our salvation; obeying God with deep reverence and fear. Hold firmly to the word of life; live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. The night is almost gone and the day of the Lord is near.
Tom Felten on December 15, 2014 at 10:21 am
daisymarygoldr, I agree with you that Regina’s post is very helpful and relevant. I’m not familiar with the practice you described of people being rounded up in “churches” for forced confessions. Definitely not healthy or biblical! The spirit of the more> questions was merely to follow James instruction: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other” (James 1:16). As we confess our sin to God and to appropriate people who will pray for us and encourage us may God be glorified and the Body of Christ strengthened.