Display Light By Nit Joining Those In Darkness. (Eph. 5:8)
In Eph. 5:7-10 Paul reminds of that we are “in Christ” and that our lives must reflect that identity. In the first of 4 short articles based on that theme he says that we must Display Our Lives By Not Joining Those in Darkness.” Paul has warned the Ephesian Christians and us that if we live like the ones who revel in the “works of the flesh” instead of living a life permeated by “the works of the Spirit” we will share in the punishment of the ones who rebel against God.
Eph. 5:7 reads as follows,“Therefore do not be partakers with them.” We are to be the salt of the earth. Remember, we are to live in the world, but not of the world (1 John 2:15-17). The folks in the world must be able to see the love of Christ in us. They must know by our lives that we love them, while not loving their sin. It is not easy to separate the sin and the sinner, but we must always ask the Lord to help us attain that and live in the Spirit as we seek the lost and strengthen the saved.
Display Light By Living Out Your Identity (Eph. 5:8
Denny Petrillo wrote these words, “Christians need to remember their past and remember before they found salvation in Christ they were darkness but now they are light. In eph 1:8, Paul states that Christians are light in the world. We ar to let our light shine for Jesus wherever we are. We must pursue the light at all times. We must act (walk) like you are saved (light.)
Display Light by Doing All That is Good, Right and True (Eph. 5:9)
Those who walk in light do “good works” (Eph. 2:10, they live righteously (Eph. 4:24), and they speak truthfully (Eph. 4:15). Basically he is saying that if we are Christians, we will bear fruit. We will read the Word of God to see what is pleasing God. Denny Petrillo further writes, “If they are truly children of of light then they will be good moral people who are concerned with proper conduct and living non-hypocritical lives. This kind of conduct will bear positive fruit for the church of Chfrist.”
Thus, we will seek to live out Peter’s words in 2 Pet. 3:18, seeking to “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus.”
Display Light by Pleasing the Lord (Eph. 5:10)
What will please the Lord? Walking in the light please the Lord!
-Larry Miles, Pine Prairie, LA November 7, 2019