ALIVE IN LIGHT
Opening Prayer
Jesus, I want to see You. I want to know what it’s like for Your eyes to look into mine. Show me another glimpse of who You are.
Read Ephesians 5:8–20
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What might it feel like to walk into the blazing, bright gaze of the enthroned Jesus Himself?He sees every deed. He hears every sentence. He knows every thought. Paul’s focus on behavior and identity shifts to focus on light. Jesus, of course, declared himself ‘the light of the world’ (John 8:12; 12:46). The passage develops the implications for those united to Christ the light.
Verses 8–14. Paul reminds the Ephesians yet again of their past and present (2:1–6). We might have expected him to describe being in light or darkness. But he is clear that light is now a Christian’s identity (8). Why is this important for Christian behavior? What is the difference between deeds of light and deeds of darkness (8–11)? Then Paul quotes from one of the earliest Christian songs, inspired by texts from Isaiah. It combines the contrasts of dark and light, dead and alive. In short, Paul is saying, ‘Be who you are!’
Verses 15–20. We’re back to the mind: taking care, being wise – both involve thinking. In this context, why is it important to stay sober? What will help us to be ‘filled with the Spirit’? Notice the different song types (psalms, songs from the heart, hymns of praise to God). Why is gratitude so crucial here?
Apply
Do your thoughts and attitudes identify you as a child of Light? Give yourself anew to Christ today and allow God to develop this identity in you and make any needed changes.
Closing prayer
I AM a child of God! Thank You Jesus that You have called me out of darkness into Your marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
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