based on the LGG Study, Secure in Christ/w5d2
Read: Ephesians 5:6-14; SOAP: verse 8
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be sharers with them, 8 for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live like children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth— 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. 13 But all things being exposed by the light are made visible. 14 For everything made visible is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Eph 5:6-14
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
We were all, at one time, children of the darkness. We may not like thinking about ourselves like this, but it is reality, and it is something we must not forget. Whether we were saved at a young age or in our older years, it is vital to our understanding and appreciation of God’s love through Christ that we understand we were born sinners. From the fall of man in the garden (Genesis 3:6), no child is born ‘good’ (Romans 3:10-11). Perhaps you know someone who isn’t saved but seems to live a good life. Their speech seems wholesome, their actions good, they may even go to church, but apart from the saving grace of God, they are a sinner condemned unclean (Romans 3:23). Which is why the Scriptures teach we must be born again, made new in Christ. (John 1:12-13),(2 Cor 5:17).
Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his plea through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!” 21 God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:20-21
Friend, while we were born into sin’s curse, we are not without hope. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him would be saved (John 3:16). Jesus, the Son of God, is the hope and salvation of all who believe in His name (Romans 10:13). So that though we were, as Paul said, once in darkness, now we are light in the Lord and should live like the light. which Paul describes in verse 9 as being the evidence of Christ in us, or “fruit of the light” which will reflect Christ’s goodness, righteousness, and truth in us. Now, rather than participating in the deeds of darkness, we expose the darkness through the Light of Christ in us (John 8:12).
When we live in the Light we expose the darkness –
This may be a kid’s rendition of the message Paul preached but it totally pulled me in and had me singing along and asking God to make it an everyday refrain of my life. So I’m sharing it with you, praying it encourages you as well. Sing along, and let it inspire you to make the message of Paul a brighter reality in your life today – and every day.
The More We Know
Today’s journal entry includes some very helpful insight/examples of ways we compromise with darkness today … too good not to share. May it be a blessing.
Me From the Inside Out 