Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-14 (NRSV)
DEVOTIONAL:
We often think that being in darkness means being involved with legal trouble, drugs, pre-marital relationships or unsafe parties. The list goes on. But I believe that being in darkness is beyond these obvious concepts we consider to be bad. Rather, it narrows down to one question: how often do we fall into negative secular understandings and approaches to the world that may even seem normal, but are actually dark and un-Christlike? Are we willing to give them up completely to be closer to God?
From first-hand experience, I admit that it is not easy going in the opposite direction of society’s flow as a follower of Christ. We often want to continue fitting in with what is popular without being too preachy, nor being too worldly either. But I have learned that when we go with the flow, we fail to see what God’s Word has to say about the things we think are OK. God’s Word calls us to live radical lives as children of light. His words are not symbolic nor figures of speech in this passage. Instead his Word is calling us to step it up on a spiritual level and stop being a part of ungodly activities that hinder our relationship with Christ. We are to expose what is wrong with kindness, love and patience.
If we are truly awake and walking in the light, we have to wake those who are sleeping so that Christ can begin touching their lives too. But it all begins by taking a bold step of faith to expose things of darkness no matter how uncomfortable we may feel. If we say to live for Christ, let’s please him first, rather than others. In the end, salvation will be our reward and the reward of others.
Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-14 (NRSV)
For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”