Living In The Light

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8)

How are we to “live in the light” when we inhabit such a dark world? I pray that the answer to this question will be a source of eternal encouragement to you today.

First, let’s look at the meaning of light from a biblical perspective. Psalm 119 tells us that the Word of God is a lamp and a light, directing our attention to the timeless, immutable wisdom and truth that is found in God alone. In Romans 13 we see light used as a metaphor for moral deeds. Therefore, we are to understand that “living in the light” means living according to the wisdom, truth, and moral standards set forth God’s Word.

But the question still remains: How do we do it?

I’ve said it here before: We are to live out practically what we already are positionally. Reread today’s verse and you will see how this fleshes itself out. We were once darkness; that was our natural condition. But now we are “light in the Lord” — that is, we are in Christ. We are new creations in Christ, and so our dark nature has been transformed to light.

Notice that the Scripture does not say that we were “living in” darkness; rather, we were darkness. This is the nature of every person before Jesus shows up. But when we are raised from death to life, we become children of light because we have been changed from the inside out. Now, for the very first time, we have the ability to live the life God has called us to live . . . by grace through faith.

When Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,” He was telling us to walk in His footsteps, to stay on His path, and to follow His plan and purpose for our lives. The closer we follow our Lord, the more we will produce the fruit of the light that Paul speaks of: goodness, righteousness, and truth (Ephesians 5:9).

Are you living in the light? Have you been walking in the footsteps of your Lord? If you would have to honestly answer “No” to those questions, what changes do you need to make in order to better shine His light on all those you come in contact with in this dark world?

“You are the light of the world,” our Lord says to us in His magnificent Sermon on the Mount. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16). Living in the light is the same as living for the Light, and when we are operating at that level of living, our lives have meaning, significance, and eternal value.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!