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Walk in the Light Reading Day 4
Prayer
Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Ask God to give you His wisdom today.
Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:1-20
Read these verses three times slowly.
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 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.”
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection & Questions
In today’s verses, the Apostle Paul tells his readers that not only are we to walk in the light, but that we “are light in the Lord” and we are “children of light.” This echoes Jesus’ statement in Matthew 5, where He said, “You are the light of the world.” In other words, we are to be the conduit of God’s light to this world, and if we are not, where will hope and freedom come from? Paul exhorts us: “Live as children of light.” What does he mean?
Paul gets very practical and specific. Let’s look at some of the phrases he uses:
- “The fruit of the light”: It is a curious phrase to say that light has fruit, but Paul says there is clear evidence that we are children of the light: we will produce the fruit of the light, “goodness, righteousness and truth.” Children of the light reflect God’s good character (goodness), have a right relationship with God (righteousness) and walk in personal integrity (truth).
- “Find out what pleases the Lord”: The children of the light are to be diligent about learning and growing with the aim of pleasing Jesus. His delight is our focus and so we dedicate ourselves to understanding his desires.
- “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness”: The children of the light don’t dabble with impurity. They have “nothing to do” with darkness. As he says earlier in the chapter as an example, there isn’t even to be “a hint of sexual immorality.” And Paul emphasizes those dark deeds are “fruitless.” They have no good for our life.
- “Be very careful how you live”: The children of light are careful. They don’t want to stumble into darkness. They realize they are weak on their own. Temptations and deception are abounding and easy. Living in the light takes intentional attention.
- “Be filled with the Spirit”: The children of light realize there is only one well that will satisfy their thirst and empower them to live in the light. That is the Spirit. They saturate themselves with the word of God and the songs of God, so that they might be filled with the Spirit daily.
We have a beautiful identity in Christ. We are the children of light. But that is not something we can be lackadaisical in. It requires attention, diligence and dedication. And it’s worth it, because He’s worth it!
- Which of the phrases that we explored stuck out to you? Why?
- Are there areas of your life that you have become lackadaisical in? Talk to God about that and listen to His response.
Prayer
Talk to God in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
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Questions?
Ed Applegate
