Walk As Children of Light [Ephesians 5]

 ¹Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; ²and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. ³But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; ⁴and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. ⁵For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷Therefore do not be partakers with them; ⁸for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light ⁹(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), ¹⁰trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

 ¹¹Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; ¹²for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. ¹³But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.

What an invitation God gives us!  He invites us to "walk as children of Light" and to "be imitators of God, as beloved children." In chapter 4, verses 21-24 we are reminded again why this is even possible.  "Because the truth is in Jesus: you took off your former way of life, the old man that is corrupted by deceitful desires; you are being renewed in the spirit of your mind; you put on the new man, the one created according to God's likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth." (Holman, CSB). We are a new creation, created according to God's likeness.  We can now reflect His love, righteousness, purity, truth and goodness, "(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth)."

"Let no one deceive you with empty words for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them."  God wants us to know what is darkness and it is not to be confused with Light.   "But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you." (v.2) "there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. ⁵For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."

Thankfully, as we recognize the characteristics of darkness in our lives God's light exposes them and they become light as we agree with Him and submit to His love. "But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light." (v. 13) "But now you are Light in the Lord - walk as children of Light." (v.8)

We praise You that You are light and Your light replaces the darkness when it is exposed. Thank You for making us children of Light (love, goodness, purity, truth and righteousness).  Cause us to walk in Light today.