Ephesians 5
By Pastor Steve
Luminaries of His Light
Most people think that light simply removes or replaces darkness. Some people, on the other hand, think that darkness consumes light. But in all reality, darkness is the absence of light. This topic causes me to deeply contemplate about light and dark in the Biblical sense. Sometimes I think that we have the wrong idea about what darkness does in our spiritual lives. Spiritual darkness brings confusion to faith just as much as the absence of light brings confusion to a person who is attempting to walk through a dark room or building. When we attempt to wander around in dark places, especially places that are unfamiliar to us, we tend to bump into many obstacles along the way.
When I think of this truth, I realize that when we choose to walk in darkness while God is providing light for our spiritual lives we are intentionally opting to avoid the light of Christ and sometimes end up bumping against spiritual obstacles. Paul, the Apostle who understood that blinding light can provide spiritual truth, wanted people to hear the truth about what can happen if we allow the light of Christ to pierce the darkness of our spiritual battles.
Paul proclaimed this truth in Ephesians 5 by providing this instruction that can either wake up the sleeper or frustrate anyone unwilling to allow the power of God to change the soul. Paul wrote to the people of Ephesus: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:
Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.
Did you catch that? When the light of Christ consumes the sleeping soul we become luminaries of His light in this world. Just as luminary lights can be placed along a path to provide light so the sojourner does not stumble and fall, the light of Christ that is cast from our lives and our faith journey can light the way for others. Are you a luminary of His light? I encourage all of us as the Apostle encouraged the people of Ephesus: Live as children of light and find out what pleases the Lord.
