In Ephesians 5 we are commanded to live as people of the light. Read here what it means for a Christian to move from darkness to light, and how it influences your life.
by Rev. Brahm Robinson
Light and darkness are two things that are well known to us. In ancient times light was known as the light from the sun, or the moon and stars at night. Later it was known as fire and candles that would dispel the darkness. In today’s time the contrast between light and dark is a lot clearer as we have the ease of turning on electrical switches that immediately expel the darkness and give light. (Except when we have load shedding, of course!) This is what the Lord proclaims about what He does in our lives: He brings us out of darkness to the light.
Christians move from darkness to light
Paul presents an argument in Ephesians 5:6-14 to encourage the believers to live a new life in Christ. Christians are people who have been made anew. All people were in darkness after the fall of mankind, until the Lord brought them into the light.
Paul’s argument is even stronger – he does not only state that we were in darkness, but that we ourselves were the darkness: “… for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord,” (Ephesians 5:8). The word “but” in this verse is very important. It is a critical turning point as we undergo this change when we become believers.
It is also important to understand that no one becomes light from their own doing. The Lord makes us light. In Colossians 1:13 we read: “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son …”
It is the powerful work of God. It is not as if the light only shines around you now. No, you are made anew. We are light, for we are in Christ, and the Holy Spirit is in us. It is important to understand that it is only through the Lord that we can be the light.
How your life as a light looks
Now comes the instruction: because of your new identity, your life must also be made anew. There must be a radical change. In Ephesians 5:9 we read that “the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true”. If you are made light, then these are the features that you must make visible in this dark world:
- All that is good refers to all that is lovely and helpful; the mindset that leads to good works.
- All that is right refers to fairness and sincerity in our actions, which prevents all disorder and injustice.
- All that is true refers to you not only loving the truth but also speaking it. This means respect for the truth in every form and in every way. You must believe it, speak it, and rejoice in it. It also means to be sincere and honest, not false, or rebellious.
How we cannot live if we are light
In Ephesians 5:11 we are also admonished: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” The works of darkness are fruitless, in other words, they lead to death. All that they offer is shame, remorse, and despair.
The command is that we expose the fruitless practices. We may not have a passive attitude when we see darkness. We must expose it, just as light exposes dirt. You cannot see how dirty a room is when it is dark, you only see it when the light comes into the room.
You are a light that must take away darkness
The Lord asks something very difficult of us. We have to point people to their sin. When you do this, you must always remember to confront others as Jesus did, “full of grace and truth,” (John 1:14). Show others to God’s forgiveness and his grace. How do you do it? You use the Word of the Lord and proclaim what the Lord’s will is in the circumstances. When the Word illuminates something, it can be seen for what it truly is.
Do not think that you will win over people for the kingdom of God if you act more like the world. You must never be part of the darkness. Live in the light and warn others where they stray from the light. Be the light of the world that God commands you to be.
