Verse of the day: Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
As God’s
children we are no longer children of darkness. We are no longer members of the
devil’s family (Jn 8:44). Jesus is the Light of the world, and as born again
believers, and followers of Jesus, we are no longer in darkness, but walk in
light (Jn 8:12). To walk in those things which were discussed in yesterday’s
devotional is to walk in darkness (v. 3-4). The Scriptures tell us in 1 John
1:6 that if we say that we have fellowship with Jesus, but walk in darkness, we
are lying and are not practicing the truth. To walk in the light is to walk, or
live, in goodness, righteousness, and truth (v. 9). To walk in goodness,
righteousness, and truth, is to walk in the Spirit (v. 9). If we are to be
imitators of God, we are to walk in the light, and if we walk in the light, we
cannot work in darkness as the darkness cannot exist in the light. What happens
when we attempt to walk around in a place that is completely dark? We are
unable to see what is in front of us. If we are in a place that is completely
dark, and far from an exit, unless there is a light in the distance that we can
work our way toward, we may not be able to find our way out of the darkness,
and in the process injure ourselves via any unseen obstacles. This is what it
was like for us before we came to know Jesus as our Savior. We were walking in
darkness, blinded by our sin, heading for eternal condemnation and being kept
in the dark by our enemy Satan (2 Cor 4:4). We blindly, and ignorantly, tried
to find our way to God by our own works, trying to light our own way. It was
not until we called upon Jesus, by faith, and called upon Him to be our Lord
and Savior, that the darkness was dispelled and we saw the Light of Truth (Jn
1:4) that now guides our feet and lights our path (Ps 119:105) so that we now
have the ability to know God’s truth about who He is, and what is acceptable to
Him (v. 10); and know who we were without Him, and now are, in Him (2 Cor
5:16-17). Just as the moon does not reflect its own light, but the light of the
sun; so we also do not reflect our own light, but the light of Jesus; as such,
we are to shine that light brightly so that our Heavenly Father is glorified
before men (Mt 5:14-16). So often we avoid making people feel uncomfortable around
us, and as a result we often compromise what we say we believe to avoid the
conflict or the persecution. However, it was for this reason that Jesus was
always in conflict with those who rejected Him, and internal conflict
(conviction) for those who came to know and believe on Him. John 1:4 tells us
that the darkness did not comprehend the Light, and in John 3:20 the Word tells
us that those who do evil, or walk in darkness, avoid the Light because they
fear that their evil deeds will be exposed. Therefore, everywhere Jesus went,
and everyone He interacted with was made well aware of their sinfulness, which
is uncomfortable of the unsaved, and should bring conviction to the saved, and
put them on the path to repentance. So we too, when we shine the light of our
Lord and Savior it should cause others to be uncomfortable around us when they
are doing that which is wrong before God. We should be so set apart from the
practices of the world that we should not even entertain conversations about
those things that are wicked and offensive to our Lord (v. 12). Jesus’ light
shining through us should be a reminder and conviction to our brethren without us
having to say anything. To imitate our God, as we walk in light, does not mean
that we walk around judging others, and being self-righteous in our attitude;
what it does mean is that whenever we interact with others, whether at work, at
play, gathering socially with unsaved family and friends, or fellowship with
other believers, our presence should make a difference, and a positive impact,
within our circles of influence for the glory of Jesus our Lord and Savior.
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