The Text (Ephesians 5:8–14)
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
An Insight
Some context can be helpful. This week’s passage is part of Paul’s teaching to imitate God and walk in love (5:1). It is a transitional passage. Paul has just finished describing several sinful, unholy practices (5:3–7) and is about to describe several good, holy practices (5:15–21). Along the way, he uses a simple but somewhat intricate light-dark contrast to teach us about the Christian life. His readers in the past were darkness, but now they are light. This means they live as children of light and that they expose the darkness. It also means that Christ himself shines upon them. The effects of this light can be found in what is good, right, and true.
A Timeless Principle
Some of the language of this passage can get confusing, but the basic message is that darkness is overcome by being exposed to light. This is not a light of generic goodness Paul has in mind, but specifically the light of Christ himself. Christ overcomes spiritual darkness, and Christians take part in this process as they discern what is pleasing to him and live accordingly. A person can tell if a Christian is living this way if their conduct displays what is good, right, and true. This way of living not only exposes the surrounding darkness but can actually transform it into light.
Living the Text
What can we do about the evil in our world? What can we do about wars halfway around the globe? The violence in our own towns and cities? Injustices? Ungodly ideologies? We can feel powerless in the face of so much darkness and suffering around us, as though nothing we do will make any difference. Paul would have us feel otherwise. He tells us to “expose” these things, but exposure does not here mean what we probably first think. It does not mean calling people out through shaming or humiliating them. Darkness is exposed when the light of Christ shines on it. When darkness is confronted by what is good, right, and true, it can be transformed into light. The light that we bear, as small as it may seem in the grand scheme of things, is a constant overcoming of the world’s darkness. Let’s not underestimate the small opportunities to show kindness and love that God places in our path each day. Christ, the light of the world, shines powerfully through even the smallest good done in his name. God is in the habit of working through what is lowly and humble to change the world. Let’s join him in that process today!
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for bringing us out of darkness and shining the light of Christ upon us. Teach us to discern your will, for to discern your will is to discern what is good, right, and true. May our daily acts of kindness, goodness, and love, as trivial as they may seem, actively resist the darkness and evil that once filled our lives and still fills this world. Help us to appreciate the power of even the smallest good that we do in your name. May your Spirit empower us to do the good things you have prepared for us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Great message. Much needed.
God’s will be done.
Thank you.