Ephesians 5:8-14
“For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.” vss. 8-10
According to scripture, those who respond to the gospel of grace by becoming part of the community of faith have moved from darkness into light. That’s a big move, an exhilarating one, and those who make the move immediately know the peace that comes with forgiveness. But there are also expectations. Some behaviors will change. Perhaps old habits will be discarded. The writer to the Ephesians provides some helpful guidance by pointing believers to those things that are “good and right and true.” It’s as we make the “good, right, and true” the cornerstone of our behavior that the light, which is now our essence, can be clearly seen by others. Admittedly this isn’t an easy assignment. Decisions will not always be black or white and sometimes we’ll be charting a course through at least 50 shades of grey. The writer says that all we can do is to try our best…and perhaps through trial and error begin to figure out a lifestyle that is pleasing to the Lord. Will we make mistakes along the way and maybe even slide back to the dark side? Of course, but the light of Christ is more powerful than any darkness, and with confession comes forgiveness, and new chances to let our light shine.
Thought for the Day: What pleases the Lord more than anything else?
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